by Jen Talty
“For your safety,” he said.
“But you didn’t give me a choice.”
He took her by the hand and led her into the apartment. He stood in front of the window and glanced out at the snow gently falling to the ground. His wife had few complaints about his personality, but she did have one big one, and that was the way he took charge without thinking about the people around him.
He argued that he constantly thought about everyone around him. That he made those kinds of decisions because as a leader in the military, his men were his responsibility.
Lunar would remind him that his family wasn’t in the military with him.
“I’m sorry that you felt strong-armed. I won’t do that to you again, and you can always speak your mind with me without fear of being hurt or belittled.” He turned. “That said, my job is to protect you—”
“It’s not your job.”
“You are a tough audience.” He let out a puff of air. “I’m good at protecting people, and right now, I want to make sure you and Wyoming have a life where you’re not constantly looking over your shoulder.”
She plopped herself on the sofa and lifted her feet to the coffee table. “That’s never going to happen. For as long as Josh is alive, I’ve got a target on my back. I can cut my hair and dye it blue, but as long as his heart is beating, my son and I aren’t safe.”
“Now that I know, you’re actually safer because I know what to be on the lookout for.” The draw he felt toward Alabama affected him both emotionally and physically. The need to take care of her was so strong it scared him. He hadn’t had such intense feelings for anyone other than his children since he’d met Lunar, and he honestly never thought he’d ever meet a woman that made him want to even consider the possibility that he could love again.
He had the kind of romance with Lunar that most people spend their entire life looking for. Finding that kind of love again he figured would never happen.
And yet, there he was, wishing he could lift her into his arms and kiss away her problems.
“I wish I could believe you, but then there is the issue of your girls and putting them in danger, and me being here does exactly that.”
Slowly, he closed the gap. He eased himself onto the couch and tapped his index finger on her thigh. “Unfortunately, my job can be dangerous. It’s something I’ve grappled with since I became a father, both in the military and when I resigned my post and began working for Hank and the Brotherhood Protectors. But walking across the street can kill you if you don’t look both ways. Besides, if I thought my girls were in any real danger, they wouldn’t be here. And frankly, neither would you and Wyoming. And yes, I’d give you a choice on the matter, but I wouldn’t like it if you didn’t go into hiding.”
“I think I actually believe that.” She laughed as she shifted to face him. She rested her cheek in the palm of her hand. Her blond hair cascaded over the cushion. The roots were coming in darker, and he couldn’t decide which he preferred. The natural brown he’d seen in pictures on the internet and on the news, or the current color combination.
Actually, it didn’t matter.
Her hair could be pink, and he’d still like her.
“I haven’t been anywhere for more than a month. I’m tired of packing up and moving and changing my name all the time, but all the commotion with Candice, that scared me. And now that you know who I am, and your friends will know, I feel like that’s bad for me and my son. They told me never to let anyone know the real me. Once one person knew, then they’d tell someone, and eventually, it would get back to Josh, and this would all be for nothing.”
“In most cases, I would absolutely agree with that philosophy, which is why I’m going to be very careful with who I tell anything to, even inside my own organization.” He dropped his hand to his lap. “I’ve asked my team to put a hold on doing any more digging.”
She looked at him with wide, scared eyes. “Won’t they ask all sorts of questions on why and be suspicious?”
“They still know you’re running from something, but they trust my judgment. Soon, though, I will need to take this to my boss. Think of him as a garbage disposable. What goes in gets ground up and doesn’t really come out.”
“That is the weirdest analogy I’ve ever heard,” she said with some lightness to her tone.
“I’ve said worse.” He reached out and brushed a piece of her hair behind her shoulder. “I really am sorry you felt like I didn’t give you any choice about moving into the main house. I know I can come on strong and sometimes even aggressive, but always know it’s because I have your best interest at heart.”
“Don’t take this the wrong way, but Josh used to tell me the same thing.”
Dakota groaned as he dropped his head back. “I’m not gaslighting you or trying to manipulate you.” He had no idea how to get through to her that he was indeed on her side. All he knew was that words were empty, but actions spoke volumes.
He’d have to keep proving to her that he was one of the good guys.
“Can I ask you a question about him?” Dakota asked.
“I suppose.”
“Where’d you meet him?”
“I was in college. My parents had just passed away, and I was in the process of selling off some of their assets when I met him at my lawyer’s office, which was also one of his lawyers. I was a hot mess that day, and he was so kind and sweet to me. He helped me navigate the entire process. I felt alone and lost in this world, and he was there to pick up the pieces.”
“He met you when you were at your most vulnerable.”
She nodded. “He treated me like a princess, always taking me to fancy restaurants and buying me nice things. He supported me finishing my schooling, even though we both agreed I wouldn’t work after we got married, and by that time, I was sucked in so deep, I hadn’t realized I was a completely different person. I had nowhere to run and no one to run to. Leslie was my only friend. I saw her as a strong woman, and if any of us could get out, it would have been her. So, when she died, more of me did too. And what’s worse, I saw what Josh and everyone else in that organization did to her memory by saying she killed herself. She would never do that. I would never endanger my son, and I’m not unstable, like my husband would like the world to believe.”
“Men like Josh are masters at manipulation. They can con some of the smartest people in the world given the right circumstances.”
“Could he con you?”
Now that was a loaded question, but a fair one. “Josh? Doubtful. At least not at this moment in my life. But someone else? Right after my wife died? Sure. No one is immune to being taken advantage of; only my radar is strong and always on high alert, as yours is now.”
“It sucks not being able to trust anyone. I hate thinking that at any moment someone is going to know who I am and go running to Josh and tell him where Wyoming is, and that’s what scares me the most. If Josh wants to ruin me or kill me, fine. But Wyoming is an innocent child, and he could turn him into a horrible person. I can’t have that.”
Dakota ran his thumb over her bottom lip. “Neither can I.”
“Why do you care so much about us?”
“That’s a good question,” he admitted leaning closer. “Ever since you moved in, I haven’t been able to think about anything other than this.” He pressed his mouth against hers in a slow, but passionate kiss. He started off controlled and tender before parting her plump lips with his tongue. She tasted like strawberries and cream with a hint of sugar.
She rested her hands on his shoulders. He half expected her to either slap him or jerk away.
But she did neither.
He wrapped his arms around her tiny waist and pulled her to his chest. Her breath hitched, and he captured a slight moan as it vibrated in his throat. Everything about her made his heart beat a little faster.
Her body sank into his like the ocean gently lapping against the shore. He wanted to lift her into his arms and carry her to bed, but he knew he cou
ldn’t. It was too soon for her.
And for him.
“I should let you get some sleep,” he whispered. “I have to go into the office for a few hours tomorrow after the girls go to school. If you want, you can come with me so you’re not alone. Or you can hang out with Sage and her one-year-old little girl, Hillary.”
“It might be fun for Wyoming to have a playdate,” Alabama said.
“I thought it would be good for you to meet Sage. She’s Clayton’s wife and is about your age. She’s also pregnant with their second child.”
“She’s the one who does all the charity work, right?”
“That’s right.” Dakota stood, leaving her on the sofa, knowing if he took her into his arms again, he might push to stay all night, and that wouldn’t be good. “I’ll see you in the morning for breakfast.”
“I can’t even handle eggs. We should just order out,” she said, covering her eyes.
He laughed. “Meet me in the kitchen at seven, and I’ll teach you a few things. Trust me, if I can do it, so can you.”
“You tried my lasagna; you should know by now I can’t.”
“And you should know by now I’m not the kind of guy that gives up that easily.”
Chapter 6
Quietly, Alabama closed the door to the apartment and headed back to the main family room. “Both Hillary and Wyoming are sound asleep. River isn’t far behind them, and Sky is bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, ready to tend to the babies if one of them wakes up.”
“She’s going to make a great little babysitter,” Sage said as she kicked up her feet on the ottoman near the fireplace and sipped her wine. “She’s so good with Hillary, and that child is a holy terror.”
“She doesn’t get that from me,” Clayton said with a playful tone.
Alabama made herself comfortable on the sofa next to Dakota, who looped his arm over the back of the cushions. She tucked her feet under her butt and actually leaned a little closer to the man that had kissed her last night like no one else ever had before. She could still feel the heat from his lips on hers, and it trickled down her skin all the way to the tips of her toes.
“How on earth do you manage to get Wyoming to be so well behaved?” Sage asked. “No matter what we do, that girl is more stubborn than old man Willie.”
“I have no idea. I suppose maybe it’s because we’ve moved around so much.” Alabama swallowed. Dakota had told her that Clayton and Sage both knew she had been in the underground but had no idea of her true identity. But Alabama couldn’t be sure. Even with light hair, when she looked in the mirror, she could see her old self, so she imagined everyone else could see through the minimal disguise.
“Well, let’s just hope they are all well behaved when they become teenagers,” Clayton said.
“Amen to that.” Dakota raised his glass. “Today, Sky brought home papers for me to sign so she can participate in sex education. I damn near died when she looked me in the eye and said: Daddy, before you go get all weird and dad-like, I know what having my period is all about; we have supplies stocked up for me when it happens. I also know how babies are made.”
Alabama stifled her giggle.
“I don’t see what’s so funny,” Dakota said.
“Oh, I wish I had taken a picture of your face when Sky used the words sexual intercourse followed by penis and vagina.” Alabama let the laughter bellow from her gut. “I thought his head was going to explode.”
“I can’t imagine,” Clayton said, running a hand down his face and shaking his head. “My daughter won’t be having sex. Ever.”
“Your daughter is going to marry Wyoming, and they will make beautiful babies, and I will enjoy reminding you that they had sexual intercourse to make them.” Sage had an edge to her, as if she’d seen the dark underbelly of the world and survived.
However, Alabama had no idea what that might have looked like for Sage.
“I’m not ready for this,” Dakota mumbled. “Before I know it, Sky’s going to want to go bra shopping.” He tapped Alabama on the shoulder. “And that’s going to be your job. I can’t handle going into Victoria’s Secret with my daughter of all people.”
If she was still around, she would happily take Sky bra shopping.
God, she wanted to be in this place a year from now. Hell, she could see herself here five years from now, but she had to be realistic about the situation.
Which meant no more kissing Dakota, no matter how much she liked it.
“You, my friend, are going to have to get used to more than just thongs and bras when it comes to your girls. Wait until the boys start knocking at the door,” she said, trying to keep the conversation on normal couple things, even though nothing about this was normal.
“They won’t be knocking because they will quickly learn that I will answer with a shotgun.” Dakota rested his hand on her shoulder. His thumb rubbed a gentle circle over her skin under her ear.
She found herself inching closer. It didn’t matter that both Clayton and Sage glanced in her direction with an amused smirk and an arched brow. It didn’t matter that she knew deep down that allowing herself even the slightest flirtation with Dakota would end in heartbreak; she needed to feel alive, and that’s what he gave her, in spades.
“But what if one of her suitors is someone from the Brotherhood Protectors,” Alabama said. “Or a son of a friend of yours? Someone will eventually have to be good enough for her.”
“This is why I wish I had a son,” Clayton said. “I’d only have one penis to worry about. Not the entire world.”
“Oh, my God. That’s hilarious,” Alabama said. “But you know, raising a son, I have to teach him to not only treat a woman as a lady, but also as his equal. That’s a tall order.”
“Nah,” Dakota said. “That’s actually the easy part, especially if he has a taste for strong-willed, independent women, which I bet your son will because he has you as a role model.”
She nearly choked on a sob that threatened to escape her lips. No one since her parents died had described her with those types of adjectives. If anything, people saw her as weak and insecure.
Part of her knew that Dakota was building her up, because that’s the kind of man he was, and she appreciated that.
But she also couldn’t help but distrust his sweetness simply because she’d been taken for a ride by a man who once promised her the world with a cherry on top.
That said, she believed—no—she knew that Dakota wasn’t Josh.
“That’s sweet of you to say,” Alabama said.
In the background, Hillary started to fuss.
“That’s our cue to leave,” Clayton said. “If we let her get to a full-fledged wail, she’ll not only wake up the entire house, but she’ll be up for the rest of the night.”
“Yeah. It’s best we go now when she still might actually fall asleep in the car.” Sage stood. “And I need her to sleep all night because I still have the worst morning sickness in the world.”
“I’ll go warm up the car,” Clayton said.
“I’ll help.” Dakota followed Clayton out the front door.
Alabama picked up the wine glasses along with the cheese and cracker tray while Sage prepared Hillary to go out into the cold Montana winter night. Alabama really enjoyed Sage and wanted to continue the friendship, but she still feared that one night soon, she’d be sneaking off into the night.
Or she’d end up dead at the hands of her husband.
It killed her that she was still legally married. If she never saw Josh again, it would be too soon.
“A penny for your thoughts,” Sage said as she stood rocking back and forth in the family room by the fire with her daughter in her arms.
“Sorry. I’m just tired.”
“It is getting late, but that’s not it.” Sage adjusted the blanket around Hillary before setting her on the sofa. “I don’t want to frighten you, insult you, or upset you, but my husband and I run more than one shelter for battered women. I know the signs.”
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“And I know Dakota told you.” While there was no reason to lie at this point, making a stand was something Alabama hadn’t done since college. She clasped her hands behind her back and twisted at her fingers. “I know you’re not a Brotherhood Protector employee like Dakota or your husband, but Dakota told me all about the work you do, and I think that’s great. I’m honestly so appreciative of you and people like you who have made it possible for people like me to make a clean break and a fresh start. However, I don’t want to talk about it, or bond over it. I’m sorry for being so rude, but after this moment, I don’t want to ever have to discuss this again, unless I have to for the safety of my son, and no offense, I doubt that would be with you.” Her lungs burned, and her knees shook. It had been years since she’d ever dared to be so bold. If she’d ever spoken to Josh like that, she would have been punished.
Had she spoken to the help like that when Josh didn’t think it was called for, Alabama would have paid the price with a beating. And if she’d gone soft on anyone in service when Josh thought otherwise, again, she’d end up with bruises on her body.
Sage smiled. “The only thing I have to say to that is if it ever comes to an issue of safety, I sincerely hope you will feel comfortable talking to me. Otherwise, I look forward to playdates with our kids, and like I said, I’m not the best cook, but I’m happy to share the few things I know.” She bent down and scooped up her daughter. “A bunch of us wives get together for Wine Wednesday. Consider yourself invited.”
“I’m not a wife.”
“That is true. But you’re a nanny and a mom, and you work for a man who works for Hank. You will need wine on Wednesdays. I won’t take no for an answer.”
Before Alabama could respond, Sage had turned and headed out the door.
“I’m really torn.” Dakota zipped up his fleece and tossed a stick for Buster to chase. “But if I put eyes on her husband, I could be asking for trouble I don’t want and she doesn’t need.”
“And if you don’t, you won’t see him coming.” Clayton slammed the vehicle door and stuffed his hands into his pockets. The headlights cut through the dark Montana night. Big puffy snowflakes floated in the sky, dancing in the moonlight.