Her Loyal Protector: A Strong Family Romance Companion Novel

by Cami Checketts

  She shoved the pen at Kaytlyn, and her face turned even uglier. There wasn’t a trace of her former friend in that face. Kaytlyn had assumed Peter was the driving force behind Jessica’s scheming. He’d probably driven her there with his infidelity and twisted sense of right and wrong, but she could see that Jessica was now dark, twisted, and flat-out crazy.

  “You’re going to sign this, and then we’re going to burn you and Cameron alive.” She smiled. “Your two security guys will be outside in the woods, just coming to when the police arrive. You’ll be happy to know that they’ll live, but the kerosene on their hands will prove they started the fire. Did you know this is one of your cabins? Nothing to tie it to me at all. I used to love coming here with my friends in high school. Dad didn’t even change the pass code. It’s like he wanted me to use it to burn you alive.”

  Kaytlyn’s stomach rolled at the level of crazy Jessica had reached. She was insane. “What happened to you? We used to be friends.”

  Jessica let out a laugh. It was shrill and disturbing. “You were only a means to an end.”

  That hurt, but Kaytlyn refused to show her. She sat straighter and tilted her chin imperiously. “Tyler and J-J …” It was something with a J.

  “Jeb,” the redheaded guy supplied, smiling kindly at her. Why was he smiling?

  “Tyler and Jeb will tell the police everything, and the police will believe them,” Kaytlyn said. “They both have impeccable records.”

  “Sadly, Tyler and Jeb will have taken a shot of Versed. That, combined with some Valium and their head injuries, will make them forget the past few days. They’ll have no memory of any of this and no way to implicate me.”

  Kaytlyn thought the plan was idiotic and implausible, but she didn’t bother pointing it out to her. The EMTs could find the drugs in their system. The police would have to point the finger at Jessica, no matter what alibis she had. The truth would come out. Not that it would matter to Cameron and Kaytlyn, as they’d be dead.

  “Sign it,” Jessica snarled.

  “Don’t sign it!” Cameron roared.

  Jessica’s hand shook slightly as she shoved the pen into Kaytlyn’s hand. “Sign it or his face gets carved up.”

  The horror of her dream a week ago rushed over her. Cameron being tortured. Her having to watch. She couldn’t let that happen.

  “If you sign it,” Jessica continued, “I’ll simply have my men tie you both up and shoot you so you don’t burn alive. If you don’t sign it, they’ll carve up Cameron’s face, and then I’ll personally carve your baby out, and then we’ll burn you alive.”

  “How could you become this evil?” Kaytlyn asked. Her entire body shook.

  “You have no clue … Sign it!” Jessica yelled. “Or I start with Cameron’s face.”

  Kaytlyn stared at Cameron. He smiled at her, as if everything was going to be okay. How could he be so calm and self-assured? Then his eyes slid to the knife on the table. Kaytlyn took a deep breath as Cameron roared, “Now!”

  She saw Jeb and Tyler whip around, knocking the guns from their guards’ hands as Cameron bucked his body and sent men flying. She wanted to watch the fight, but she had her instructions. She grabbed the knife on the table and whirled on Jessica.

  Jessica shrieked and threw her hands up, backing away. Cameron launched a man away from him as Jeb and Tyler fought two men each. The man Cameron had thrown knocked into Jessica’s legs, and she went down in the fray, where she was pummeled by her men as well as Cameron, Jeb, and Tyler.

  Kaytlyn wasn’t sure how to help as she clutched the knife and watched the men duke it out. Cameron was like a machine, punching one man, then grabbing another one and slamming his head into the wall. Kaytlyn had never enjoyed watching ultimate fighting, but seeing her man fight to protect her made something deep and warm erupt in her chest. He’d made no empty threats; that was clear as the men crumpled around him. Two were knocked out, and two were clutching their arms as if they were broken. Jeb and Tyler had grabbed guns and were pointing them at the three men who still looked like they had a little bit of fight left in them.

  Jessica tried to scuttle away, but Cameron grabbed her leg and she face-planted on the wooden floor. “Stay down,” he growled.

  She screamed and crawled away from him.

  He let her go, focusing on Kaytlyn. “Kayt. You’re okay?”

  “Yes.” She was still clutching the knife with slick fingers.

  “It’s all over, love. We’ll tie them up and then direct the police here.”

  One of the men Tyler had a gun trained on tried to dodge away while everyone was looking at Kaytlyn. Jessica dived at Kaytlyn, barreling into her legs, and the knife went flying out of her hands. Kaytlyn hit the floor and landed on her side as two quick shots rang out. She heard two thuds. Looking up, her eyes widened as she saw one of the men bleeding and either unconscious or dead on the floor. Right in front of her, Jessica was obviously dead. Kaytlyn hated what her former friend had become and how her life had ended. Pain ripped through her for the loss of someone she’d cared about and how it must’ve hurt Jacob to have his daughter end up like this.

  The door burst open again and she heard, “Police! Hands where we can see them!”

  Everyone obeyed, except for Cameron. He dodged around men until he reached her and helped her to her feet. “Are you okay, love?” he rushed out.

  “Yes.”

  “The baby?”

  “He’s fine.” She cradled her abdomen. She hadn’t fallen on it, and right then, she felt a quick movement from within and smiled. “He just kicked me.”

  “Hands in the air!” the police officer commanded.

  Cameron slowly lifted his hands, but his gaze stayed trained on her. “You did so good,” he said. “You were so brave.”

  Kaytlyn lifted her hands, following his example. “I was brave? You were like some superhero, some machine. I’ll never tease you about your threats again. I know you’re not bluffing.”

  Cameron chuckled, even as police pulled his hands down and cuffed him.

  “What are they doing?” Kaytlyn cried out.

  “It’s all procedure. They have to cuff everyone, but it’s fine. They’ll sort it all out.”

  A police officer came up and cuffed her hands as well, a little more gently. Baldy was howling in protest as they cuffed him; it looked like Cameron had broken his arm.

  “It’s all over, Kayt,” Cameron reassured her. “It’s going to be fine.”

  The policemen were now escorting everyone out of the cabin, at least those who weren’t dead or unconscious. Kaytlyn and Cameron were escorted close together. She gave one last look at Jessica’s still form, said a prayer for forgiveness, and pushed it out of her mind as they exited the cabin.

  She squinted as they walked out into the sunlight, which was valiantly breaking through the thick shade of all the trees surrounding the cabin, and the snow sparkled brightly. Her baby moved again and she felt hope and the newness of life. Jacob would want her to move forward and be happy. She glanced up at Cameron. She definitely would be happy with him by her side.

  “This might change our plans today,” she said.

  “No, ma’am.” He smiled softly at her. “I am buying you the prettiest ring and dress you can imagine, and we’re flying to Grand Cayman to get married.”

  The police officer escorting Cameron chuckled. “You’ve got a really positive attitude. You obviously haven’t dealt with the paperwork involved after a mess like this.”

  Cameron shrugged. “You can expedite it for us. I’ve been waiting far too long to get married to this beautiful woman.”

  The man held Cameron’s head as he helped him into the police car. “We’ll try, sir, but don’t get your hopes up.”

  Cameron winked up at Kaytlyn. “Too late. You have no idea how high my hopes are.”

  Kaytlyn laughed. The sunshine burst through the trees above her as the officer helped her into the other side of the vehicle. She was handcuffed and had just been
through the most horrific event of her life, but Cameron seemed completely at ease, as if he already knew that everything would work out perfectly. She’d trust him, just like she always did.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Kaytlyn and Cameron got out of the police station a lot faster than the officer had implied they would. They had to make a trip back home to get cleaned up, but then they shopped, bought her a gorgeous diamond ring and a dress, and were on their way to Colorado by late afternoon. It was a quick flight, and Kaytlyn’s eyes went back and forth between the huge round diamond on her finger and the handsome man by her side.

  Before she knew it, they were waiting at her parents’ front door, the evening shadows stretching long across the snow. The porch sagged and the ranch looked more run-down than she remembered. There were no Christmas decorations. When they were young, her mom had tried to do a tree and stockings, but her father had raged about the waste of money. At least the valley was as pretty as ever with thick snow covering most of the ugliness of the ranch.

  Tyler and Jeb stayed in the second vehicle, waiting for them. The security might be overkill at this point with Jessica dead and Peter arrested, but it felt reassuring. Also, Tyler and Jeb were their friends now, so of course they needed to come to the wedding.

  Cameron squeezed her hand, tilting up his sunglasses to wink at her. “Don’t worry, love. I won’t threaten your dad.”

  Her hands were shaking. “I’m not worried about you. I’ve seen firsthand your superhuman self-control.”

  He leaned close, bent low, and whispered in her ear, “Resisting you, a man would have to be superhuman.”

  She smiled and leaned into his lips.

  Her mom opened the door, squealed, and threw her arms around Kaytlyn’s neck, eyeing Cameron with apprehension and awe when she pulled back. She didn’t invite them in. She looked so beat down and haggard that Kaytlyn wanted to cry. Kaytlyn rarely let herself feel guilty about leaving her family, but at times like this, it almost overwhelmed her. Could she have protected her mom and sisters if she’d stayed?

  Her dad came storming up to the porch from the barn, obviously already in a rage. Kaytlyn recognized that staying would’ve destroyed her like it had her mom, unless it drove her to drugs like it had Kandy. Where was Krysta? Kaytlyn couldn’t care less about her dad’s permission; she’d come here to try to rescue Krysta and her mom.

  Her father’s eyes lingered on her abdomen, and he started ranting. He obviously already knew about the baby. “You knock my daughter up and then think you can come here and get my blessing?” he yelled, but Kaytlyn noticed he stayed about twenty feet away from them, lingering on the snow next to the porch.

  Cameron remained calm as he faced her father. “Sir, I would like your blessing, but I don’t need it. The baby isn’t mine, but I will raise him as my own and love him and your daughter with every part of me.”

  Her dad’s eyes narrowed at Kaytlyn. “The baby isn’t even his? It’s that old guy’s, right? The guy you were a hooker for? What kind of a whore have you turned into?”

  Cameron released her hand and marched down the porch steps and right up to her father, bearing down on him as her dad faltered. He ripped his sunglasses off and said in a low voice, “I have lived in conditions so miserable that they make this squalor of a home look like a palace. I have tolerated pain, discomfort, gunshot, and knife wounds, but I will never tolerate you speaking to my Kayt that way. Apologize …” His voice rose. “Now!”

  Cameron stepped back as if to give him room to apologize, and possibly to keep himself from hitting him.

  Her dad glared at the porch swing and said, “I’m … sorry.”

  Cameron must’ve realized her father was a lost cause, because he walked back up the porch steps, extended his hand to her mother, and graciously shook her hand. “It was very nice to meet you. Please let us know if there is anything we can do for you.” He glanced back at her father, who was glaring daggers at him but immediately dropped his gaze when Cameron looked at him. “Kayt?” he said softly. “Are you ready to go?”

  “Yes.” She gave her mom a hug and murmured in her ear, “We can help you.”

  Her mom squeezed her tight but shook her head. “I’m fine.”

  Kaytlyn didn’t believe that, but she couldn’t force a grown woman who had never stood up for herself to stand up to her husband. Her sister was a different story. “Where’s Krysta?” she asked quietly.

  “Krysta’s gone. She’s working,” her father said gruffly.

  Kaytlyn didn’t even want to address him. “Where?” she asked her mother.

  “In town, at the ice cream shop,” her father said.

  She looked up to Cameron. She didn’t believe her father; he’d never let them work anywhere but the farm. How was she supposed to call his bluff?

  Cameron bent down close and whispered in her ear, “We’ll find her.”

  “Thank you.” She took Cameron’s hand, and they walked off the porch and toward the gravel drive as if they were going to leave. They couldn’t leave. She needed to explain to Cameron that her dad was lying and Krysta was probably out in the barn or sheds.

  They were almost to the rented Audi when Kaytlyn heard pounding footsteps and a yell of “Kayt!”

  Cameron shielded her body with his, but she pushed at him and exclaimed, “Cam, it’s my sister!”

  He stepped to the side but still overshadowed her, and it was clear from his body language that he wasn’t going to let anyone hurt her.

  “Kayt.” Krysta’s steps slowed as she stared from Kaytlyn to Cameron. She was in worn-out clothes, but she was clean and she had the face of an angel. Kaytlyn opened her arms, and Krysta hurried to hug her. “I’ve missed you!”

  “You too.” Kaytlyn turned her sister toward Cameron. Her parents hadn’t moved, and she ignored her dad’s glare and her mom’s worried gaze. “This is my fiancé, Cameron Bodily.”

  “Hi.” Krysta appeared almost shy, and with a pang, Kaytlyn wondered if she was beaten down like their mom. Krysta had always been a rambunctious, funny child. Kaytlyn had hoped she’d follow her example and leave, especially since she and Jacob had tried to get her to leave three years ago. She had to know she could come to them, but she never had left.

  Krysta’s eyes darted from their father to Cameron; then she whispered to Kaytlyn, “He’s really tough and hot.”

  “That he is.” Kaytlyn winked at her fiancé. It was amazing to think that word in relation to Cameron. Finally.

  Her dad stormed away back to the barn and her mom shrank into the shadow of the porch.

  Kaytlyn grabbed both of Krysta’s hands and lowered her voice. “Come with us.”

  “Where?”

  “We’re flying to Grand Cayman right now and getting married tomorrow.”

  Krysta backed away. Her eyes darted to the barn. “Dad would kill me,” she muttered.

  “Krysta. You’re twenty years old. You can do what you want. I’ve been texting you since you turned eighteen, offering to come get you and have you come stay with me.”

  Her sister shook her head. “Dad took my phone a long time ago. I never saw your texts.”

  That sent red-hot rage shooting through Kaytlyn, and she clenched her fists. So her dad had been pretending to respond to her as Krysta? What a low-lying piece of scum he was. “It’s time,” Kaytlyn said decisively. “Come with us.”

  Krysta worried her lip, but her blue eyes lit with excitement. “I’ve never been anywhere.”

  “Let’s go.”

  They looked back at the house. Mom was still in the shadow of the porch, but she nodded decisively. “Go.” Then she spoke in a quieter voice, as if afraid their father would hear: “Don’t come back, love.”

  Krysta ran to the porch and hugged their mother tight; then, just as quickly, she scrambled into the back seat of the Audi, slamming the door shut and putting her seat belt on. She looked like a little girl thrilled to go on an adventure.

  Kaytlyn wished they could haul h
er mother out of here too. She gave her one more pleading look and said, “Please, Mom.”

  Her mom shook her head, pulled the door to the house open, and slipped inside. So she wanted them to save Krysta, but she still wouldn’t take the opportunity to save herself.

  Cameron’s eyes were flitting between the house and Kaytlyn. “I’m sorry, Kayt. I don’t know that we can force her.”

  Kaytlyn sighed. “No, but we won’t give up.”

  “Okay.” He tucked some hair behind her ear, and his voice dropped. “Will your father hurt her?”

  “Not physically. He’ll throw a temper tantrum and pout and punch holes in the wall, but he was more about controlling us with his anger and his words than ever laying a hand on us.” She looked back at the house, wishing she could rescue her mom. After thirty-plus years of marriage to a controlling jerk, her mom might never be free. At least they had Krysta with them now.

  Cameron walked around the car with her and opened her door, escorting her into its welcoming warmth.

  Krysta was almost bouncing with excitement in the back. “This car is sweet. It’s almost as pretty as your fiancé.”

  Kaytlyn laughed, relief rolling through her. She ached for her mom, but she couldn’t change her decisions. For now, she would have fun being around Krysta and enjoy every minute of her wedding and honeymoon. “Don’t say that around him. He thinks he’s too tough to be pretty.”

  Cameron opened the driver’s side door and climbed in as Krysta pretended to zip her lips. Her sister was still as adorable. Kaytlyn was so happy, despite having to leave her mom again.

  He smiled at them. “Are you ready to go to the most amazing wedding of your life?” he asked.

  Krysta nodded vigorously. “I’m ready to go wherever you say. Are you rich?”

  Cameron threw back his head and laughed, starting the vehicle. “It’s your sister that’s rich. I’m just her arm candy.”

  “You did not just say that.” Kaytlyn laughed as they pulled away from her family home. She didn’t let herself look back and feel sorrow for her mom. She looked ahead, to a future with Cameron. The wedding was going to be amazing, especially with Krysta there. The honeymoon would be even better. She settled her hands over her sweet baby and felt the little guy kick.