Stronger Than You Know--A Novel

by Lori Foster

  “Wait.” Madison didn’t want him to go yet, so she drew in a breath and admitted the one thing she could think of that might keep him interested and wouldn’t compromise her family. “It’s personal for me, and for my entire family, because we lost someone we loved to human trafficking.”

  Slowly Crosby sank back into his seat. “Who?”

  “My mother.”

  Immediately his antagonism waned. “Damn, Madison. I’m sorry.”

  Now, why did his understanding make her throat feel too tight? She’d lived with the loss of her mother for years now. “Dad took it especially hard.” Skirting the issue of their vigilante work, she said, “That’s why he funds the task force.”

  “To search for traffickers?”

  “It’s more than that, really.” She didn’t get to brag on her father very often, so she’d enjoy doing so now. “I know I glossed over this earlier, but Dad’s involvement is actually pretty elaborate. You see, the task force he funds ensures that victims are represented legally. They get counseling and financial assistance, and they’re offered access to recovery resources.”

  “Like?”

  Getting into the explanations, Madison leaned closer. “Many victims have no idea what to do once they’re saved. Some come from bad home lives so they can’t get help there. Others fear retribution. They’re lost and alone and still so afraid. Through the task force they’re given safe housing, offers of education or employment, and enough financial aid to get back on their feet.”

  While she spoke, Crosby’s gaze drifted over her face—and settled on her mouth. “Remarkable.”

  “I’m really proud of my family and all they offer, but I’m sure you can understand that for many victims, it’s a very private endeavor.”

  “It’s not the privacy issue that concerns me.” His gaze finally lifted to clash with hers. “It’s the possibility of illegal activity.”

  “You’re accusing me?” Why did she sound so breathless?

  “All of you, actually.” His voice went deeper, rougher. “Now tell me what else you’re up to,” he insisted, and somehow it sounded sexually suggestive.

  “You know what I’d rather do?”

  His dark bedroom eyes narrowed.

  Madison reached for him over the console. “I’d rather kiss you,” she murmured, right before her fingers slid into his cool, silky hair and her mouth settled over his.

  He went still for a heartbeat, and then those strong arms closed around her, pulling her nearer as he took over. Or tried to.

  Being submissive wasn’t really her thing, so she angled as close as she could get and deepened the kiss.

  To her surprise, he laughed.

  Insulted, she lifted her head and glared at him. “You’re amused?”

  Smiling, his gaze tender, he stroked two fingers along her cheek, then under her chin. “Yeah, you amuse me.”

  “That wasn’t my intent.”

  “I know.” He leaned in for a soft kiss. “My guess is you wanted to distract me. I’m tempted, but not quite that easy.”

  Of all the... She dropped back to her own seat, now glad that the console kept them apart. “You think the only reason I kissed you—”

  “Yeah, that’s what I think.” His slight smile never wavered. “I wouldn’t put anything past you or your family.”

  “Well.” Her face heated with ire. “That’s insulting.”

  “To me, as well.”

  “Most especially to you,” she snapped. “For your information, I don’t offer those type of personal favors for my family. I kissed you because I wanted to. But trust me, I won’t make that mistake again.”

  “Good. Let’s keep it simple, okay?” Lifting his hip, he drew out his wallet, found a card and handed it to her. “Have your brother call me within the hour. If anything else happens, I strongly advise you to let me know.”

  Madison sat there, fuming, turned on and, yes, still insulted as he opened the door and got out. The wind blew back his hair and his step wasn’t as sure as usual thanks to the snow and ice.

  Such a gorgeous man. So...scrumptious.

  Such a dick.

  And he thought she’d thrown herself at him for a distraction.

  The truth was that she couldn’t help herself. Early on he’d intrigued her. Meeting him in person had affected her dreams.

  She wanted him. Terribly.

  Maybe it was better he didn’t know that. Sighing, Madison hit the wipers while also turning up the defroster. As soon as the windshield cleared, she spotted Crosby.

  Waiting for her to leave. Concerned for her?

  Or maybe he planned to follow her? Ha, let him try.

  He stayed behind her to the entrance of the park, then they each turned in different directions. Had he just been playing the gentleman?

  Such a confusing man.

  She didn’t need him to protect her. No, she just needed him. Eventually she’d get her way. After all, she was a McKenzie through and through.

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  KENNEDY WOKE FEELING warm and comfortable in Madison’s T-shirt and pajama pants. Beside her, Reyes sat against the headboard and perused his phone, the home screen reflecting in his hazel eyes.

  She was snuggled against his side, part of the reason the chills had finally left her. A slight headache remained, but she could deal with that.

  Loving him wouldn’t be easy, not with the work he did. Valuable work, she realized, because without him Jodi wouldn’t stand a chance. The police could only do so much when the law forced them to abide by a certain standard.

  A standard Golly and his sick brother didn’t deserve.

  Suddenly Reyes looked down at her, said, “Hey,” and set his phone aside. He smoothed back her hair, tipped up her chin and studied her face. “Your eyes aren’t dilated anymore. That’s a good sign.”

  “My headache is better, too.” She struggled to sit up. “What time is it?”

  “Almost seven.”

  “What?” She’d slept that long? She’d only meant to take a brief nap, not conk out for hours.

  “You needed the rest, babe.”

  “Have you been here the entire time?”

  “Did you think I’d budge?” He leaned forward to press a soft kiss to her lips, then an even softer kiss to her temple where Delbert had hit her. “You don’t remember me waking you, to make sure you were okay?”

  “No.” She remembered crawling into his bed, but not much after that. She must have nodded off right away once she’d gotten warm.

  “Are you hungry?” Reyes asked. “Bernard held dinner for us.”

  “Oh, no.” The thought of his family waiting on her made her want to crawl back under the covers.

  “Don’t worry about it. It’s only been half an hour. The food will be fine and no one is starving.”

  Using both hands, she shoved back her hair. “Is it okay for me to eat like this?” She held out the hem of Madison’s shirt. “Delbert bled on my clothes.”

  “Bernard washed them, but yeah, they’re stained. What you have on is fine. Cade and I will be in jeans. No biggie.” He helped her out of the bed, then framed her face in his hands. “I found one of my flannel shirts for you to help keep you warm.”

  So considerate. Kennedy wrapped her arms around him and rested her face against his chest. “Thank you for taking care of me.”

  Tension stiffened his body. “If I’d taken better care of you, none of this would have happened.”

  “Even you can’t predict every moment of every day.”

  He changed the subject, saying, “I’m so damn proud of you.”

  “Proud?” She leaned back to see him. “Why?”

  “Why?” His expression was serious enough that it looked severe. “Damn, Kennedy. You were hurt and afraid, and still you kept your head and fought ha
rd. Of course I’m proud.”

  “I caused a wreck.” She still had the aches and pains to prove it.

  “You disabled your kidnapper. That took a lot of guts. Most wrecks aren’t fatal, especially when there’s little traffic. It was a reasonable risk to take considering the alternative.”

  He made it sound premediated and deliberate, but she knew the truth. “I wasn’t thinking clearly at all. I just...reacted.”

  “Instincts,” he agreed, holding her closer, his heart beating a little harder. “You knew he couldn’t get you alone.”

  She shivered, and it wasn’t from cold. It was knowing what Delbert would have done to her if he’d succeeded.

  So far she’d managed to keep those thoughts at bay.

  “I’m sorry.” He cupped a hand around her neck and gently rocked her side to side. “So damned sorry.”

  Kennedy wasn’t entirely sure about his mood, and she didn’t want to add to his burdens or put him on the spot, but the words just sort of slipped out, maybe because they needed to be said. Or because she needed to say them. “I’m here with you and we’re both safe. I don’t have to sleep alone, and I don’t have to fear anyone.” She knew Reyes wouldn’t let her be hurt. “You’re my own personal hero, Reyes.”

  “God love you, girl, you turn me inside out.”

  Her lips parted. What did that mean?

  Before she could work up the courage to ask, he stepped back, grabbed the flannel shirt and helped her into it.

  “Okay?”

  The material was soft, and the shirt smelled like him. “Yes.” Better than okay.

  “I hope you’re hungry.”

  She gave that quick thought and nodded. “Starved.”

  Smiling, he said, “Come on. Bernard loves nothing more than an enthusiastic eater.”

  She realized that was true when Bernard joined them for the meal in the formal dining room. Parrish sat at one end of the table, with Bernard at the other, and the siblings with Kennedy and Sterling on either side.

  In deference to her injuries, the lights were kept low and everyone spoke in modulated, even tones.

  It gave her the warm fuzzies to be treated so kindly. Not only that, they acted as if she were one of them. Not because she’d fended off Delbert, but because of Reyes. They saw her as his significant other.

  And he wasn’t objecting.

  If anything, he’d doubled up on the attention he gave her, often reaching over to touch her, constantly watching her. She knew she must look wretched with the bruises and her mismatched, borrowed clothes, but clearly he didn’t mind—and that made her not care, either.

  Over a rib eye roast with buttery mashed potatoes and perfectly steamed vegetables, everyone caught her up on what had unfolded while she slept.

  Reyes said, “I spoke with Crosby. He’s pushy—”

  “Like most cops,” Cade added.

  “—but he’s all right.” Reyes glanced at her. “He was real concerned for you. Wanted me to tell you he hopes you’re okay, and if you need him for anything, just call.”

  “Why would I need him?”

  Reyes, Cade and Madison all smiled.

  “My thoughts exactly,” Sterling said.

  Parrish explained, “To his mind, the only real assistance, the best assistance, is an officer of the law. Dedicated cops have a difficult time accepting that their way isn’t always the best way.”

  “He wanted to know where Golly is holed up,” Madison added, keeping her gaze on her plate. “Reyes didn’t tell him.”

  “Neither did you,” Cade said. “I’m curious what the two of you discussed when you met at the park.”

  Parrish looked up. “You did what?”

  Reyes scowled.

  Sterling, who’d been mostly silent while she ate, looked up with a grin. “Sneaking out from under their eagle eyes, huh? Go you.”

  “My eagle eyes,” Cade pointed out, “didn’t miss it.”

  Madison affected a casual shrug. “I met with him, explained a few things, and got his number for Reyes to call. That’s it.” She quickly shifted the topic by saying to Kennedy, “By the way, we have everything worked out if you want to visit Jodi.”

  “I do.” They’d already explained where Jodi was. Trying to imagine her friend in a fancy hotel left Kennedy boggled. Jodi couldn’t like it. Still, according to Reyes, he’d spoken with her and she’d promised to stay put this time.

  He claimed Jodi had agreed because she didn’t want Kennedy stressed over it.

  Kennedy didn’t think that was the whole reason. The near miss had likely rattled her, too.

  “When can we go?” she asked Reyes, knowing without asking that he’d accompany her there.

  “Tomorrow is soon enough,” Parrish answered before Reyes could. “I want you to continue resting tonight, and through the morning tomorrow. We’ll reassess then.”

  She’d never before had such close medical care. She didn’t mind being treated by Reyes’s father—as long as the medical issues weren’t anything embarrassing. “I feel much better, but thank you.”

  “Tomorrow,” Parrish reiterated.

  “In the meantime,” Reyes said, “I don’t want you to worry about Jodi. We have guards at the hotel.” He reached over to cover her hand. “Even if she wanted to take off, they’d stall her long enough for us to get there.”

  They’d thought of everything, and it truly overwhelmed her with gratitude. Done eating, Kennedy addressed the table. “I can’t thank you enough for all you’ve done.” She smiled at Reyes, Cade and Sterling. “You’ve kept Jodi and me safe, and of course that’s the biggie.” Next she turned to Madison. “I’m in awe of your research ability, but your hospitality and kindness is appreciated, too. Thank you for loaning me your clothes.”

  Madison returned her smile. “My pleasure.”

  “And Bernard, the food. You are a man of many talents. I’ve never eaten so well.”

  “Hear! Hear!” Parrish said, lifting his glass of wine.

  Bernard nodded regally as they all toasted him.

  “Parrish.” Kennedy had saved him for last, because for some reason her heart ached as she looked at him. This man had lost the woman he loved, and, instead of retreating from the world, he’d built something incredible to help others. “I owe you the most appreciation. This is all because of you. Because you cared enough to make helping others a priority.” Her eyes grew damp, and for once she didn’t care. She knew Parrish’s relationship with his children was sometimes strained; she also knew he was the most amazing man she’d ever met. “Without you and all you’ve set up, I’d have no one to turn to. Jodi would be lost. We’d have had little hope at all. For us, the world would be a much uglier place.”

  Reyes pushed back his chair, and tugged her out of hers and over into his lap, where he hugged her. “She’s right.” He looked at his father, who appeared speechless. “I don’t know any other man who could have accomplished what you have.” He cupped Kennedy’s bruised cheek. “Now more than ever, I appreciate what you’ve taught me.”

  “Agreed.” With his arm around Sterling, Cade said, “If you hadn’t groomed me for this job, I wouldn’t have found Sterling. Thank you, Dad.”

  Madison grinned happily. “Here’s to an amazing man who reared incredible children.”

  This time it was Bernard who cheered, “Hear! Hear!”

  Parrish still looked flabbergasted, but he slowly smiled. “To family.”

  That earned another chorus of agreement. This time, Kennedy kept silent. Already, she loved this family so much. Pretty sure she always would.

  Even if she wasn’t a real part of it.

  Not yet anyway, though she held out hope. Once they took care of Golly and she helped get Jodi settled, then she could figure out if she had a future with Reyes.

  Anything less than a lifeti
me was unthinkable.

  * * *

  REYES WATCHED KENNEDY look around with interest. When he’d first brought her down to his suite of rooms, she’d been too zoned out to really pay attention. He’d guided her to the turned-down bed, then tucked her in. She’d given one big sigh and slowly drifted to sleep.

  His heart had hurt then.

  It hurt now.

  Until he destroyed Golly and his entire network, he didn’t expect the ache to let up.

  “This is beautiful.” Kennedy turned in a circle while looking at his living space with the couch and padded chair, a desk and PC, a bookcase and a TV on the wall. “It’s like an upscale apartment.”

  “I didn’t design it,” Reyes admitted, “but I did weigh in on the choices. Same with Cade and Madison. In case of an emergency, Dad wanted us to have a place that was our own, but was also with him.”

  “Your father is an astounding man.”

  Seeing him through Kennedy’s eyes, Reyes realized it was true. Funny how being reared a certain way made you overlook things. Yes, his dad could be as autocratic as a general, and he wasn’t big on accepting anything less than 110 percent. But he was also supportive in ways Reyes hadn’t realized until recently.

  Everything he’d orchestrated, he’d done out of love.

  Loving Kennedy changed things. When Reyes thought of his mother and the tragic way she’d ended her own life, he had an inkling of what his father might have gone through. How the hell had he recovered?

  Not for a single day had he neglected his children. Instead, he’d given them all a new focus for their anger and grief.

  It was a new focus for Parrish, as well. Without that, he might not have survived his pain. It took a strong man to forge on as his father had done. To use his grief as an impetus for good. To effect such remarkable change.

  For numerous reasons, Reyes admired him greatly—now more than ever.

  He snagged Kennedy’s hand as she started toward the bedroom. Needing to hold her, he pulled her into his arms, breathing in the scent of her, absorbing her sweetness and insight. “Thank you.”