by L. Wilder
“I did tell you the truth,” I complained. “Well, partly.”
“Okay, then. Spill it.” Sounding intrigued, Remington asked, “Why’d you jump off the roof?”
“That’s just it, I didn’t jump. I’d heard a cat crying and thought it was hurt or something.” I shrugged as I took another sip of my coffee. “When I got up on the roof, it hissed at me, and I fell off.”
“Oh?” She giggled, then with a childlike voice, she mocked, “So, the wittle kitty scared you?”
“I was like eight, Remington, so yeah. The damn thing scared me.”
“Bless your heart.” Remington pursed her lips playfully. “I’m sorry that the mean, wittle kitty scared you.”
“You’re a smartass. You know that, right?”
“Watch your mouth, child,” Ada scolded. “No sense bein’ ornery about it. She was just teasin’. Didn’t mean no harm.”
“Um-hmm.” I grabbed the dishes, and as I started walking over to the sink, I told them, “I’m gonna go check the grounds.”
“You just checked dem before breakfast.”
“Yeah, and I’m gonna check them again.”
Before Ada could argue any further, I went out to the front porch and closed the door. I hadn’t even made it to the steps before the door opened and Remington called out to me. “Noah?”
“Yeah?”
“Would you mind if I joined you?” she asked with hesitation in her voice. “I’m feeling a little couped up in there, and I thought some fresh air would help.”
I’d been trying to keep my distance, especially now that she was back on her feet and looking so fucking beautiful, but she wasn’t making it easy. I was tempted to tell her that it was something I needed to do alone, but instead, I shrugged and said, “Suit yourself.”
“Great.”
With a big smile, she scurried over to me and eagerly followed as I headed down the steps. Hoping she would just keep quiet, I didn’t say anything as I started towards the back gate. In fact, I did my best not to even acknowledge her presence, but that didn’t stop her from skipping over to me with a goofy look on her face. “It feels incredible out here.”
“It’s ninety-seven degrees out here and humid as hell.”
“It might be a little warm, but the sun is shining bright and the wind’s blowing.”
“There’s no wind blowing, Remington. Hell, there isn’t even a damn breeze.”
“Well, I happen to think it feels great.” She was beaming like a kid at Christmas, clearly unfazed by the fact we were just walking through a storage lot. She lifted her hands in the air with a quick twirl. “It seems like a lifetime since I’ve been for a walk outside.”
I didn’t respond. I just kept moving, watching as she took in the fresh morning air. At that moment, she seemed so alive, so happy and carefree, making it hard to believe that just a week or so ago she was barely conscious. It was definitely easier to be around her when she wasn’t drawing me in with that incredible smile or tempting me those fucking short-shorts and tank top. Fuck. The woman was a perfect mix of sex and sin, and it was all I could do to keep my hands off her, which pissed me the hell off. I wasn’t a man who was drawn to any woman, and I wasn’t about to start changing now—I couldn’t. I’d made a promise, and I had every intention of keeping it. I was peering through the fence at the parking lots across the street, searching for anything that might be deemed suspicious when Remington came bounding over to me. “So, what are you looking for anyway?”
“Nothing.”
“Oh, come on. You have to be looking for something.” She glanced around as she said, “I could help you.”
“Leave it, Remington.”
“So grumpy,” she complained, then continued walking ahead of me.
Without waiting on me to join her, she turned the corner and started down the second row of storage units. I didn’t like not being able to see her, but I knew she was safe. The entire lot was surrounded by a ten-foot fence topped with barbed-wire and a security system that prevented anyone from coming or going without me knowing about it, so I was in no big rush to follow. When I finally turned the corner, I found Remington standing in the middle of the drive, and she was stiff as a board. I continued towards her, and my stomach twisted into a knot when I saw the expression on her face. “What’s wrong?”
“I think I recognize him.” Her voice trembled as she continued, “I might be wrong. I really might, but I think he was there that night.”
“Who?” I looked across the street at the old Shell gas station parking lot, and dread washed over me when I saw a man with a skull tattoo on his throat. There was no doubt he was a Punisher, but he was in a heated argument with a woman holding a kid and seemed totally unaware that either of us were standing there watching him—or so I hoped. I wasn’t taking any chances, so I grabbed Remington’s hand and pulled her over to one of the unit’s doors. When I was certain that we were out of his line of view, I asked, “You sure you’ve seen him before?”
“I don’t know. It was very dark that night, but there’s something about him that seems very familiar.”
“Might be the tattoo.” I didn’t want to freak her out any more than she already was, but I had to ask, “Did he see you?”
“I don’t think so, but I can’t say for sure.”
“Fuck, I should’ve never let you come outside.” I was standing there, trying to decide on my next move, when I felt her inch up next to me. Her entire body was trembling with fear. Damn. I slipped my arm around her as I tried to reassure her, “It’s okay. I’ve got you.”
“But what if he saw me? What if he comes here? What if—”
“I won’t let him or anyone else hurt you, Remington. I’d kill him before I let that happen.”
I could see the wheels turning in her head as my words started to sink in. She stood there for several seconds, just staring back at me until I finally said, “We need to get you inside, and then we’ll take things from there, okay?”
“Um-hmm.”
I reached down and took her hand in mine, guiding her away from the view of the street and to the back row of storage units. When I knew we were in the clear, I looked down at her and said, “Go inside. I’ll be there in a minute.”
“But—”
“Go, Remington.”
Without any further objection, Remington darted up the backdoor steps and into the house. Once she’d closed the door, I made my way back over to the fence to check out the guy we’d seen. As I’d hoped, he was still there yelling and acting a damn fool with his woman. I grabbed my phone from my back pocket and sent a message to Menace, letting him know that we might have a problem. He assured me that he’d take care of it, and I trusted that he would, but I still had a gut feeling that things were about to take a drastic turn. And they would—just not in the way that I thought.
Remington
I don’t know what scared me more—seeing that man in that old gas station parking lot or Noah’s reaction when I told him what I’d seen. He was clearly freaked, which only made me worry even more. I’d done like he’d said and went inside to wait for him, but I couldn’t stop myself from checking the window every five minutes. Sensing something was wrong, Ada came over and poked her head around the curtain. “Something going on?”
“I’m not sure yet.” I looked over at her as I continued, “I think I saw someone, but I’m not sure.”
“Who’d ya see?”
“One of the men who attacked me.”
“Oh my.” She gasped. “Noah out dare looking for him?”
“Yes, ma’am.” I stepped away from the window as I told her, “He told me to wait for him here, but I really want to go back out there and see if I—”
“You’s need to stay put, child. Dat boy can handle dis on his own.” Ada shooed me over to the sofa. “Now, gets over dare and have yo’self a seat until he come back.”
I knew there was no sense in arguing, so I did like Ada said and went over to the sofa. I’d ju
st sat down when the front door opened and Noah stepped inside. Without saying a word, he walked through the kitchen, down the hall, and into the room where he’d been staying. Seconds later, he came barreling back down the hall with keys in his hand. “I’ll be back.”
“Wait, you’re leaving?”
“Rafe will be here to keep an eye on things until I get back.”
“Where are you going?”
He didn’t answer. Instead, he walked out and closed the door. Seconds later, I heard his motorcycle engine crank up and pull out of the storage lot. Stunned, I grumbled, “Seriously?”
Ada shook her head, then went back to sweeping the kitchen floor. It wasn’t long before Rafe, the brother Noah had told me about, showed up, but he didn’t come in. Instead, he kept watch from one of the storage units. I looked back over to Ada and was disappointed to see that she was still busy cleaning. I’d hoped that she might come over and talk to me. I thought one of her funny stories might take my mind off things, but instead, she disappeared into the laundry room. Seconds later, she returned with a bucket and mop and started washing the floor. I felt guilty just sitting there, so I got up and asked, “Can I give you a hand with something?”
“Dat’s mighty kind of ya, darlin’, but you don’t needs to do nothing. You’re still not all dat well.”
“I’m fine, Ada. I’d like to help. Besides, I could really use the distraction.”
“Well, all right den. Da beds need changin’ and floors vacuumed.”
“I can do that. Just tell me where to find the clean sheets and the vacuum.”
Ada showed me where she had everything stored away, and then I got busy. I was still a little stiff, but it felt good to be up and moving around again. I went around and took the bedding off all the beds, then put on the clean sheets and remade them. I vacuumed and began dusting while Ada starting putting together lasagna for dinner. She’d just stuck it in the oven when I walked into the kitchen and asked, “Okay, I’ve done the bedrooms. What else do you need me to do?”
“Well, dose fan blades shore could use a dustin’. I haven’t been able to get to dem with my ol’ hip. It hurts somethin’ awful.” Her lips pursed with frustration. “It’s no fun gettin’ old.”
“You’re not old, Ada.” I teased as I grabbed one of the cleaning rags from the bucket. “You’re just getting started.”
“I wish yous was right ’bout that, but I’m moving slower ever’ day.”
“We all are.”
I’d just grabbed a chair from the kitchen when I heard a tap on the front door. Rafe stuck his head in as he called out, “Hey, Ms. Ada.”
“Rafe!” She motioned him inside and gave him a hug. “Been too long since I laid my eyes on you.”
“Yes, ma’am. I’m sorry about that.” Rafe was a handsome guy—tall, broad shouldered with the most beautiful green eyes I’d ever seen. He gave her a big hug and kissed her on the cheek. “Just been a busy few months.”
“So I hear.”
He took a step back, and a charming smile crossed his face as he gave her a playful wink. “I gotta say. You’re looking good, Ms. Ada. Real good.”
“Oh, stop it, boy. Your flirtin’ does nothin’ for me.”
“Um-hmm. If you say so.” Rafe then turned his attention to me. Even though we’d never actually met, he looked at me like we were old friends. “Hey there, Remington. You look like you’re feeling better.”
“I am, thanks to you and your brothers.”
“Just doing what we can, but glad to see that you’re back up and on your feet.” He tilted his head and cocked his eyebrow as he gave me a quick once over. “I have to admit, you look a lot different than you did last week.”
I giggled as I told him, “Yeah, I was looking pretty rough then. Like I’d been in a bar fight and lost.”
“Well, you certainly look better now.”
“Oh, good heavens,” Ada fussed. “Your flirtin’ ain’t gonna work on her neither.”
“Maybe not, but come on. Look at her. She’s a knockout.” Rafe glanced over at me with a sexy smirk. “You can’t blame a man for trying.”
“Pfft. You best get to gettin’ before you gets yo’self in trouble.”
“Yes, ma’am.” He shook his head with defeat and sighed. “You mind if I use the facilities?”
“You knows I don’t mind. Go on and do what yous gotta do.”
“Thanks, Ada.”
With that, he disappeared down the hall. I couldn’t help but smile when Ada looked over to me and said, “I’s love ’em. Heck, I loves all dem boys, but that one? Ooo-wee. He’s a mess. Leaves a wake of broken hearts wherever he goes.”
“Yeah, I kind of picked up on that.”
“Smart girl.”
Laughing under my breath, I took my cleaning rag and chair into the living room, then placed the chair underneath the ceiling fan. It took a little maneuvering, but I finally managed to pull myself up and stood on the seat. I reached up and started wiping down the first blade. I hadn’t realized how dusty they were until all the little dust balls started falling down around my head and shoulders. When it got into my eyes and mouth, I began coughing, and before I realized what was happening, I started to fall backwards. Just as I had completely lost my footing, I felt a set of arms slip beneath me, keeping me from plummeting to the floor.
“Easy there, hot stuff.” With a start, I looked up and found Rafe’s handsome face staring down at me, and from his expression, it was clear he was quite pleased with himself. He was smiling ear to ear as he asked, “You all right?”
“Yes.” I quickly wiped the dust from my eyes and face. “I’m fine.”
“You sure?”
He was still cradling me protectively in his arms as I answered, “Yes, I’m sure. You can put me down now.”
“I don’t know. It’s kind of nice having you here in my arms.”
The words had barely left his mouth when the front door opened, and Noah came charging inside. The second he caught sight of me in Rafe’s arms, his eyes narrowed with anger. “What the fuck is going on here?”
“I ...uh...I was just coming in to...” Rafe stammered.
“I thought I told you to keep watch outside,” Noah snarled.
“Yeah, and I was.” Rafe quickly lowered my feet to the floor as he said, “I just came in to take a piss.”
“And thank goodness he did, or I would’ve fallen.”
“Fallen?”
“I was helping to clean Ada’s fans, and I—”
“What the fuck?” Noah motioned his hand over to the chair I’d been standing on. “You are in no condition to be climbing up on fucking chairs, Remington.”
“I was fine until I got some dust in my eyes!”
The anger in Noah’s eyes didn’t fade. Instead, it grew even more intense as he turned to Rafe and said, “We need to talk. Outside.”
Noah opened the front door, and Rafe followed him out. I jumped with a start when the door slammed shut behind them. I was tempted to go out there and further explain the situation to Noah but quickly decided against it. I didn’t owe him an explanation. Rafe was just trying to help, and if Noah thought any different, that was on him. I looked over to Ada and asked, “Is he always such an ass?”
“Only when it involves someone he care about.”
Acting like she hadn’t just dropped a bomb, Ada strolled back into the kitchen and pretended to check the lasagna. Without missing a beat, she started pulling out the plates and glasses, prepping the table for our dinner. Neither of us said a word as I filled each of the glasses with ice and sweet tea, then carried them to the table. It wasn’t until we had everything ready that Noah returned from talking to Rafe. Ada motioned to him and said, “Come on and fix yourself a bite to eat.”
Still looking like someone had kicked his dog, Noah nodded, then stepped over and started piling food on his plate. Even though I was relieved that he’d finally made it back, I wasn’t sure what to make of his tense, brooding mood. I wante
d desperately to ask where and what he’d been doing all afternoon, but something told me it was best just to leave it, and that he’d tell me what he could when he was ready. With his plate full, he glanced over his shoulder and asked, “You got any bread?”
“It’s in da oven.” She scurried over to him and pushed him out of the way. “I’s get it. Go on and sit.”
Once Ada brought the bread over to the table, we all sat down and started eating. There was no mention of the man I’d seen across the street. No mention of where he’d been or what he’d done, and there was no mention of what had happened with Rafe. In fact, none of us said a word. We just sat there eating in silence, and it was driving me insane. By the time we were done, I was at my wit’s end. Ada must have sensed my aggravation because she disappeared as soon as we cleared the rest of the dishes. Since we were finally alone, I asked, “Are you really not going to tell me what’s going on?”
“Nothing to tell.” Noah crossed his arms as he leaned against the kitchen counter. “Everything’s handled.”
“What the hell does that even mean?”
“It means everything is handled, Remington.”
“But how? What did you do?”
“Doesn’t matter.” His eyes narrowed as he growled, “I told you what you need to know.”
“You haven’t told me anything!” I threw my hands up in the air with absolute frustration. “You know what? I’m so over this. I wish they’d just killed me when they had the chance!”
I turned and started to storm away when Noah grabbed my arm and pulled me back to him. “Don’t say that. Don’t you dare say that!”
“Why not? It’s not like I’m wrong.” I was mad. I didn’t mean what I’d said, but I couldn’t stop myself from saying, “We’d all be better off if they’d just finished the job before they tossed me in that damn dumpster!”