Off the Grid for Love

by Rena Koontz

  “I don’t want to pry, Kenna, but you do receive a paycheck, don’t you?”

  She didn’t flinch. “Yes, I’m paid every other week. An automatic deposit goes into my account and all of my bills are set up as electronic deductions. But I told you, my salary doesn’t cover my monthly expenses. I kept a reserve in my account to supplement the shortage and, in about two years, I would have been out of debt completely and capable of saving some money. But Arthur wiped out my reserve. I’m quite sure all my bills are bouncing to high heaven.”

  “Have you contacted your creditors and explained the situation? Did you check your account?”

  “Without a computer, I’ve no way of checking and Arthur changed all my user names and passwords so I can’t access any of the accounts. I’m afraid to check the status of my bank account when I’m at work because once I sign into it, I have to acknowledge that I’m aware of the negative balance and the overdue payments. It’s bank policy to maintain good credit and keep all debt financially current.

  “Once I look in there, it’s ammunition that can be used against me.”

  Stunned, Jake said, “You mean you don’t know if you have money in your account or not?”

  “Sandy checked my balance for me the day after Arthur moved out. It was less than ten dollars then so I’m certain it’s in the red now.”

  Was it possible that the bank robber deposited funds for her without her knowing? Maybe their agreement was no communication between them so he wouldn’t know that Mackenna was unaware the money was there. But that assumed she was a part of the robbery schemes.

  Admittedly, he wasn’t a financial wizard but what Mackenna described didn’t add up and was the opposite of what Demond reported. Apparently, Kenna didn’t know she was flush. Either that or she was a damn good liar.

  All the more reason to keep her under surveillance. When he first entertained the idea of having her live in his building, it was predominantly to save his ass. Getting involved with Mackenna was against Bureau regulations while he worked an undercover assignment. Having her in his apartment—worse, in his bed—was grounds for dismissal. But he couldn’t walk away from her and he didn’t plan to. Convincing her to move into his building would allay any suspicion that he was seeing her if agents saw her coming and going. Sure, the Bureau kept a close eye on its undercover agents, sometimes without them knowing about it. But once inside, they wouldn’t know if she was in her apartment or his.

  Thus far, only Demond knew that Jake planned to pay closer attention to Mackenna than was necessary but that was between them and he trusted the man. Courtney sensed his attraction but he could easily deflect that. All he had to do was talk about the bimbos who threw themselves at him and Vinny. He could relate their offers for anything he wanted and some things he’d never thought of without elaboration. After all, a Southern gentleman never besmirched a lady’s reputation.

  But first, he must convince Mackenna to relocate. Their food arrived while she explained her financial predicament and she used that to end the discussion.

  “Are you amenable to the idea of sub-letting if something can be worked out?”

  “Yes. You’re right about staying at my place. It’s horrible. But I don’t see how I can get out of it.”

  “Will you let me pay the security deposit for you?” Her head snapped up but he continued. “Only as a loan, no strings attached. Just until you get a couple of paychecks under your belt. I’ll insist that you pay me back.”

  “Thank you but I can’t ask you to do that, Jake. Besides, money that goes into my account now will automatically pay my delinquent bills, including the rent for my apartment. There won’t be extra money for additional rent on another place to live.”

  The urge to grab her by the shoulders and shake her threatened to surface. She wasn’t in arrears on any of her accounts. Why the hell didn’t she know that? Or did she and she was simply playing him for a fool?

  “At least give me the chance to talk to one unit owner in particular and see what he says.” She nodded, her mouth too full to speak. “And, if you’d like, I’ll sleep on the sofa tonight and you can have the bed. I’d feel better knowing you’re not in that hole alone for the whole weekend. Your building doesn’t have a secure front entrance. Your boss could knock on your door and you’d be helpless.”

  Her fork stopped in mid-air. Apparently, she hadn’t considered that.

  “Wouldn’t that be a mistake on his part? If I went to the police once, he must know I’d do it again.”

  “That presumes he’s thinking rationally, Kenna. If he isn’t, the consequences won’t matter once he beats the hell out of you. Or worse. You shouldn’t be there alone. If not my sofa, how about staying with your friend, Sandy? Or someone else?”

  She seemed to have lost her appetite. “I can’t impose on anyone else, Jake. And Sandy might be a witness for the robbery case so the police cautioned me not to compromise her. I think that’s the word they used.”

  He started to nod but caught himself. No need to give her more hints about the true Jake Manettia.

  “Probably good advice. So, temporary quarters at my place it is. Let’s swing back to your digs and you can pick up some clothes and essentials. You can stay the weekend. I have to work tomorrow and might have to log a couple hours on Sunday so I won’t be underfoot. And by then, we might have a unit for you to move into. If not, I have a spare key.”

  Never mind that he’d likely be arrested within the week and she could have the place to herself.

  Chapter 15

  Mackenna waged a half-hearted argument against staying at Jake’s apartment in part because she couldn’t bear the thought of a full weekend in The Hole, as Jake kept referring to the place, and she now thought of it that way. It no longer felt like home.

  And he was right. What would she do all day Saturday after she finished her laundry? Spend another marathon day walking the mall? She couldn’t afford to buy anything. And the idea of sitting cross-legged on the living room floor reading by the balcony door for eight or twelve hours didn’t appeal to her either. And what if Mr. Gleaner did knock on her door? She hadn’t considered that he might contact her outside of work. That possibility frightened her.

  Begrudgingly, she conceded to Jake’s way of thinking. It didn’t make sense to stay at her place when another option was available. Sadly, his apartment was her only option.

  What was the euphemism? Turn lemons into lemonade? Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad spending the weekend with him. He said he had to work and wouldn’t be around much. Besides, he was starting to grow on her. He made her laugh. Wherever his hands touched, her skin heated. And the way he looked into her eyes excited her. His gaze was packed with expectation. He aroused her sexually, unlike Arthur who nursed a low libido. That’d been another disappointment in that arrangement. She no longer thought of her time with Arthur as a relationship.

  Jake, on the other hand, was the long-haired bad boy type, clad in leather and straddling a motorcycle. The image screamed sex. Damn appealing. She wouldn’t mind if he strutted around in his boxers again.

  She gathered her cosmetics and essentials and packed an overnight bag of clothes. “I’ll follow you, okay? That way I’ll have a car and be mobile if necessary.”

  Why she’s suggested that, she didn’t know. She had nowhere to go and she’d become miserly about saving gas. As she followed his motorcycle, the decision to accept Jake’s offer felt right. Something about Jake implied safety and comfort.

  “Make yourself at home, sugar.” He motioned for her to enter and carried her overnight bag and cosmetic satchel to the bedroom. She stopped in the middle of the living area and waited, unsure what to do. Jake returned with a sheet and pillow, tossed both on the sofa, and smiled.

  “The sheets on the bed have only been slept on once. I’m afraid I only have two s
ets but if you’d prefer these, we can swap them out.” He nodded to the set he’d plopped on the couch.

  She shook her head. “It’s fine.”

  “I’m going to have a beer. Can I get you something? Afraid all I have is water, sweet tea, and a couple sports drinks.”

  He handed her a bottle of cold water and dropped onto the couch. Reaching for the remote he popped the top on his beer and focused on the TV when he spoke.

  “You can stand in the middle of the room if you like but I think you’ll be more comfortable if you sit and relax. I won’t bite. You already know that. And it’s not as if you haven’t been here before.”

  She clasped and unclasped her hands in front of her. “This is different.”

  “How so?”

  “This feels more, um, intimate.”

  Jake’s grin split his face in half. “Or, it’s simply two friends hanging out together so take a deep breath, let it out, and get comfortable. You said you like sports. How about hockey? I hate the captain on this team.”

  She perched on the edge of the oversized chair positioned to the right of the sofa and surveyed the room. Friends, he said, yet she knew so little about him and his home provided no further insight.

  “How long have you lived here.”

  “About six months.” He concentrated on the hockey game.

  “Your apartment doesn’t look lived in. It’s, um, rather impersonal.”

  Jake nodded, his concentration still on the screen and the action on the ice. “It needs a woman’s touch.”

  “For all the talking you do about your mother, I’m surprised there isn’t one photo or ten of her.”

  Well, that grabbed his attention. His head jerked up and he studied her. Did the comment surprise him?

  “Most of my stuff is in storage. I’m not certain I’m going to stay here.”

  Confused by her immediate reaction, she clenched her teeth to keep her jaw from dropping. “Do you mean stay in this apartment or remain in Brighton City?” Where she lived, was what she wanted to add. Why did it matter if he lived here or somewhere else? She barely knew the man.

  He chuckled and allowed the corners of his mouth to tilt upward into an easy grin. “Would it upset you if I moved away, Kenna? The look on your face says it might.”

  Flustered, she dropped her gaze and inspected her cuticles. “It just surprised me, that’s all. You can do what you want.”

  Except for some reason, the notion of Jake leaving the city did bother her.

  An hour later, she contemplated those feelings as she stared at his bedroom ceiling in the dark. The pillows held his scent and the room, albeit impersonal, felt like him. How was she supposed to sleep with him all around her and the niggling fear that he might no longer be there?

  Yet, sleep she did and more soundly than she could remember. Jake was gone when she awoke. She didn’t hear him leave but his toothbrush and a travel-size toothpaste tube lay on the sink in the spare bathroom. A note beside the coffee pot informed her he went for a run. It wasn’t quite seven-thirty. What time had he left?

  And how long would he be gone? Long enough for her to nose through his personal belongings and learn more about him? He was her host and her protector. Was that fair? She recalled a poet who wrote “The rules of fair play do not apply in love and war.” She cupped both hands around her coffee mug. Which applied to Jake? Battle? Or something more personal?

  A key in the door ended all thoughts of snooping. Winded, Jake strolled in, his white T-shirt plastered to his upper body, outlining every muscle and bulge in his arms and chest, strands of hair curled at the ends with droplets of sweat clinging to them. She leaned with her back against the counter and his face exploded into a wide grin when he saw her. She wore an oversized sleep shirt and his eyes cruised down her body to her bare feet and back up.

  Jake retrieved a water bottle from the fridge and winked as he opened it. “You’re beautiful in the morning.”

  She watched as if hypnotized when he lifted the bottle to his lips, his head back, eyes closed, gulping the refreshing liquid, his Adam’s apple rolling slowly, the slightest overflow of water streaming from his mouth, down his chin, navigating his jawbone to ease down his neck and settle at the base of his throat. An urge to step forward and lick the spot dry overcame her and she clutched the edge of the counter, digging her fingernails into the underside of the granite.

  His chest rose and fell in slow breaths as he drained the bottle. A drop of moisture dotted his lips when he lowered the plastic container and Mackenna licked her own dry mouth. Heat emanated from his body and engulfed her. She gripped the cup tighter and swallowed hard.

  “Good morning.” Was the octave of her voice higher than usual? “I didn’t hear you leave.”

  Wordlessly, Jake nodded and reached into the refrigerator. “I’m glad. You needed a good night’s sleep.” He handed her a pound of bacon and pointed at her knees.

  “There’s a pan right behind your legs. You start the bacon and I’ll jump in the shower. Then I’ll whip up some breakfast. It’s the only meal I’m good at.” He walked away as he spoke, reaching behind his shoulders with both hands to grab his shirt and yank it over his head. Back muscles as thick as electric cords competed for her attention with bulging triceps and deltoids. Involuntarily, Mackenna made the sign of the cross. The guy was a living miracle of muscle.

  She pivoted, her eyes never leaving his body, to follow his progress toward the bedroom. Jake stopped when he saw the look on her face and her eyes dropped to his bare chest, still glistening with sweat. Good Lord.

  “Kenna? Is everything all right?”

  A knot in her throat the size of her fist kept her from speaking.

  Jake offered an impish smile. “You want to shower with me? You could soap my back.”

  She did. Lord help her, she wanted to lay her hands all over the man. “Sorry, I, ah, you, um, sorry. I didn’t mean to stare.”

  Now, his right eyebrow rose with his question. “So, that’s a ‘no’ to the shower invitation?”

  Heat crept up her cheeks but two could play this game. “Maybe next time.”

  Jake’s eyes rounded and he laughed, pointing at her as he disappeared into the bedroom. “I’ll hold you to that, sugar.”

  She wanted him to do just that.

  Chapter 16

  Jake contemplated his teeth in the Jeep’s rearview mirror, all of them exposed by the grin that wouldn’t disappear. What a great morning! He and Mackenna cooked breakfast together, sat in the kitchen chatting while they ate, and teamed up to rinse and load the dishwasher as if it was a routine they performed daily. Damn, it felt right. A schoolkid with a crush on the girl who sits in front of him couldn’t feel giddier.

  Although laundry was on her agenda Mackenna said she had no real plans for the day. He encouraged her to relax and make herself at home. He had a meeting with Courtney to turn over his most recent reports. Of course, he wasn’t that specific with Mackenna. She believed he had to meet a friend and hadn’t asked for details.

  Jake suggested they go together to the management office and inquire about available apartments upon his return, and then he took it a step further, offering to take her to dinner before he went to work tonight. Given a choice, he’d much rather spend time with Kenna than hook up with Vinny but he feared Vinny would become suspicious if Jake cancelled their planned attendance at a bachelor party for one of Vinny’s neighbors. Tonight was an opportunity to meet some of Vinny’s so-called associates, moving Jake one step closer into the Cabacolli circle.

  But that meant it’d be a late night and Mackenna would likely be asleep when he returned, if indeed the festivities didn’t turn into an all-nighter. So the dinner date was important. Well, he hadn’t exactly used the word “date” when he suggested they get something to eat. Come to t
hink of it, the whole scenario he suggested was veiled in half-truths. It was a hell of a way to build a relationship.

  Still, she seemed agreeable to it all and, as if it was the most natural of actions, he kissed her goodbye before he left. She’d been smiling as he closed the door behind him and he grinned like a buffoon.

  Unbeknownst to Mackenna, Jake had already contacted the owner of a corner apartment with an extraordinary view two floors above his and laid down one month’s rent as a security deposit, with the understanding that Mackenna not be privy to that information. Instead, the office manager agreed to tell Mackenna that, since Jake knew the owner, he would accept Jake’s reference and guarantee for the condition of the premises and waive the required deposit. As for the rent, Mackenna would be charged half the asking price. Jake planned to pay the other half.

  He imagined his mama tsk-tsking and waving a cautionary finger at him. Mama liked to quote her favorite poets to her children. Her voice echoed in his head: “Oh, what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive, child.” And Mama didn’t know the half of it.

  Still, he could justify the deceit. He continued to work his undercover job—two of them, technically—and still protected Mackenna. Jake countered Mama’s nagging voice with his own quote, although he didn’t know from whom: “The end justifies the means.”

  The meeting with Courtney went well. She lectured him again about the risks of compromising his identity, reminded him it was unwise to have women at his apartment, no matter how drunk they were, and seemed satisfied with his assurance that it was a one-time thing. Yet another layer of deception to his pyramid of lies. The rest of the meeting was all business and there was no indication the Bureau suspected he harbored a person-of-interest. And Jake couldn’t wait to get back to her.