Love 2.0

by Lee Kilraine

  “Nothing.”

  “Well, we’re about to change that.”

  Chapter Nine

  Kaz stood in the local gym, the 24/7, with a burning in his gut and his anger on a back burner, simmering on low. Up until now he’d been dealing with Mira as if she was part of Jones’s setup for retribution. The timing was too coincidental to think this wasn’t connected to Jones wanting to bring him down. In the four years since the two of them had butted heads, the agent’s personal vendetta had festered and grown. Jones really didn’t like him, which was fine because the feeling was mutual.

  But not anymore. Not after what he’d seen in Mira’s eyes an hour ago.

  You couldn’t fake that look of outright fear and anger. Her pupils had dilated until black had almost completely overtaken the green. Her face had paled and her hands shook until she’d grabbed tightly onto the counter in front of her. After seeing her reaction, he was giving her the benefit of the doubt. From here on out he would take her at her word and do what he could to help her.

  No matter how many times he came up against the abuse one human being could heap onto another, it never got easier. And dammit, it shouldn’t, should it? No, it always hit hard. It was a shame women weren’t taught how to defend themselves at a young age. A few specific techniques were practical, effective, and empowering—and would go a long way toward helping a woman know she didn’t need to be the weak one, the victim.

  Of course, it wasn’t going to be the answer every time. Sometimes the more powerful or the psychotic won. And sometimes it really was safer to disappear.

  Kaz didn’t know which situation Mira fell into, but since his hands were tied he would start by teaching her basic self-defense.

  The two of them were in the yoga and exercise room the gym had added the year before. It was a large room covered in thick, padded floor mats, empty except for the bins that lined up along the far wall and contained medicine balls, hula hoops, and stretch bands. The wall between the room and the main gym contained a large glass window for viewing.

  They already had an audience and they hadn’t even started warming up yet. Mira didn’t seem to notice the attention. Although she was pretty shaken up over the message from her ex, so it was possible she was still in shock.

  He could help with that. A large part of martial arts was mental: finding your center and tapping into the calm center at the core. They would definitely work on that.

  “You ready to warm up?”

  She nodded, swinging her arms in wide circles, working on her shoulder joints. Together they worked through stretches, making sure to hit all the major muscle groups.

  “Okay. So, first off, the best way to stay safe is never let yourself get into a bad situation to begin with.”

  She blew air through her nostrils and threw her gaze up to the ceiling. “Tell me something I don’t know.”

  He shook his head. “I’m not trying to be a smart-ass here; I’m just saying sometimes when fear hits, people forget to think and use common sense. Just a reminder. I’m not impugning your intelligence.”

  “Okay, agreed. But how about we move on to when we can’t avoid it no matter how smart and careful we try to be? Let’s work on something to help with that situation.”

  “Right. Basically, you’ll want to learn how to handle an attack from every angle: front, side, and back. Also, there will be different responses if the attack occurs when you’re in your car.

  “Let’s assume you’re walking down a sidewalk and I come at you from the side. What would you do?”

  Her eyes opened wide. “You know, I’ve honestly never even considered what I’d do. How stupid is that? It’s like I’m making myself a target by not having thought about all my options ahead of time.”

  “Well, that’s why we’re doing it now. Okay, here’s how to handle an attack from your side. . . .”

  Kaz talked through each move a victim should use to counter the attack. They worked it together in slow motion until Mira felt ready to try an actual attempt. She used all the right moves; it was just that she was out of shape and couldn’t deflect his offense. She ended up flat on her back with Kaz straddling her hips with his knees on the mat on either side, her hands pinned next to her head.

  “I’m a goner.” She stared up into his face, panting with her efforts.

  Kaz ignored the frisson of awareness that hit him due to the position they were in and pushed himself up and off her, pulling her up along with him. “You’re not a goner. This takes practice for everyone. Lots of practice until your movements become instinctive in the split second you have to respond to a surprise attack.”

  “Okay. Show me the next one.”

  Together they worked their way through another demonstration, slowly and methodically, Mira trying to memorize each move Kaz patiently showed her and then let her practice until she felt she knew what she was doing.

  After forty-five minutes of work, Mira plopped back onto the mat with a groan, her skin damp and slick with perspiration, breath puffing frantically from between her lips.

  Kaz lay back next to her and focused on relaxing his body and lowering his heart rate. When he’d found that inner space of equilibrium he turned his head to look at Mira. “You are in terrible shape.”

  “I know, but in my defense, I’ve been working at a desk job for the last six years and I hate to exercise.”

  “Those will both do it. We can get you started with some basic strengthening exercises too.”

  She didn’t look enthusiastic about that at all. “I guess. I mean, I know I have to; it’s just . . . exercise has never been my thing. Pfft. You can just look at me and know that.”

  Oh, Kaz had looked at her. From the minute she’d gyrated her curvy hips to just a few minutes ago as he grappled with her luscious curves and all he knew was he liked what he saw. Too much.

  Okay. It had officially been too long since his last girlfriend. Since his last date. If Mira could take on learning self-defense and exercise, he could put some effort into his social life.

  “Hey, would it be too rude to accept your parents’ hospitality after turning it down? I’m not really keen on being alone.”

  Kaz turned to look into her eyes. He couldn’t tell if that was outright fear or simple nervousness, but she was definitely unsettled. “I was thinking since we only have a week and a lot of ground to cover, it might be more practical if you stayed at my place.”

  She sat up and stared at him as she considered the idea.

  “You know, in my guest room. I’m not hitting on you.”

  A husky laugh burst from her lips. “I didn’t think you were. I mean, pfft, of course you weren’t.”

  Huh. Apparently, Mira had no concept of how appealing she was. He had an instant need to be the man who enlightened her, but he stifled it quickly. She needed help, which didn’t include some socially awkward computer geek hitting on her. “I was just thinking we can accomplish much more in the week you have by cutting out the driving in between.”

  “It’s silly, isn’t it? To let him scare me?” She stared off, her gaze unfocused and her face a pale, stiff mask.

  “No.” He shook his head. “It’s not silly. Not knowing the bastard, I can’t evaluate how safe or unsafe you are. Is he a narcissistic prick who doesn’t take rejection well or is he a psychotic who thinks it’s his right to control you? If your gut is telling you something, I think it’s a good idea to listen. Is he stalking you? I don’t know. But he’s keeping tabs on you and he wanted you to know—to scare you—and considering you’re on the run and the fear I see in your eyes, it’s working. What he’s doing is wrong on every level.”

  She shivered and wrapped her arms tight around herself.

  “Mira, you don’t have to do this on your own. You can trust me.”

  Her green eyes turned on him, and damn if he didn’t have the urge to wrap her up tight in his arms and use some totally caveman old-school line, like the bastard would have to get through him first.
/>   “It’s hard.”

  “Understood. Would it help to remember you came to me?” He stood up and reached his hand down to help her up also.

  “Only if you tell me you’re the Wizard.”

  He couldn’t withhold his grin. “You sure are fixated on that guy. I can’t tell you I’m him, but I’m pretty sure I can help you nonetheless.”

  “Okay. Thank you.”

  They headed out through the main gym, pausing by the front desk when Kaz saw Delaney behind it. “What the heck are you doing here?”

  “Gee, Kaz, they stopped sequestering pregnant women decades ago.” Delaney rolled her eyes at Mira. “I was on my way home from the doctor and stopped in to say hello.”

  “The doctor? Is everything okay?”

  “Other than the fact that I’ve gained forty pounds and I’m miserable? I’m fine, it’s just with all the water retention, my prosthesis wasn’t fitting correctly so I had to get another temporary one.”

  “Right. Quinn mentioned you were having problems with it.”

  “Hello, Kaz.” Barbara Jewel joined them at the desk. “Oh my, Delaney, bless your heart, you’re as big as a house. Are you having twins?”

  Next to him, Mira frowned at Barbara. “She looks beautiful and healthy. Exactly the way a pregnant woman should look.”

  Barbara focused on Mira with narrowing eyes. Everyone in Climax knew about the rivalry between Barbara and Delaney; it went way back. Being from out of town, Mira didn’t know she’d just chosen sides and gotten herself on the enemies list.

  “Kaz, I love your tattoos. They’re so sexy and mysterious.” She reached out and ran her hand along his inked forearm. “I couldn’t help but watch as I worked out, but were you teaching a self-defense class in there?”

  “Not a class, no.” He took a casual step back, out of Barbara’s reach. “Just a few basic self-defense moves.”

  “Well, sign me up for that. The headlines get scarier every day. I would sleep better at night knowing how to protect myself.”

  “It’s not a class. It’s just—” He stopped in midsentence when Mira jerked her head at Barbara and then nodded and gave him a quick wink. Okay, he agreed he missed most social cues, but not Barbara’s. The woman was the opposite of subtle. Probably he picked up on Barbara’s cues because she was a serial man-eater, another well-known truth around town. She wasn’t shy about what she wanted or about going after it.

  “Uh, Kaz, it’s actually a pretty great idea.” Delaney looked pained that she was agreeing with Barbara. Or she was having a contraction.

  “Doesn’t the police department hold self-defense classes a few times a year?” He really didn’t like the eagerness on Barbara’s face.

  Delaney shook her head. “Not since Jack left. He was the karate expert in the department. You’re a fourth-degree black belt and you’ve trained in Krav Maga. You really are the best person to teach the class, and if you’re already teaching Mira . . .”

  Well, damn. She was right.

  “I feel sure I’ll need some one-on-one instruction, Kaz.” Barbara blinked her pretty hazel eyes up at him. “I’m a slow learner.”

  “How come when I say that about you, you get mad?” Delaney grinned when Barbara frowned at her. “Just sayin’. How about we start a sign-up sheet to see how much interest there is?”

  Kaz nodded. “All right. You’ll need to get Quinn to help.”

  “Absolutely, but I have a feeling Quinn will be busy real soon.” She rubbed a hand in the small of her back. “I’ll ask him to check with one of the other cops, maybe Hawk or Rojas.”

  It was hard to say no when it was something he agreed was important. His reluctance must have shown on his face because once he and Mira were out in his truck she punched him lightly in the shoulder.

  “Come on, Kaz. Think of the great service you’ll be providing the women of the community.” Her eyebrows wiggled up and down and she grinned at him. “Although I’m pretty sure that woman Barbara is looking for a very different kind of service.”

  “You picked up on that, did you?”

  She snorted. “Hard not to. Delaney was the nurse at the clinic, right? I mean, I was a little out of it that day, but I have a vague recollection of a nice woman with a very pregnant belly.”

  “Yes. She’s married to my brother Quinn. He worked the scene of your accident, but you may not remember that either.”

  “Yeah, no. I remember your twin Paxton, but that’s it. Wow. Three boys and your mom still has her sanity. That’s commendable.”

  “Five boys.”

  “Double wow. I guess that explains why a concussed Elvis didn’t faze her a bit.”

  “She’s seen about everything a mother can see.” Kaz started up his truck and slipped on his sunglasses. “How about we check you out of the hotel and get you settled in my guest room? I’ve got a few hours of work to do, but then we can start going over the basics of going off the grid.”

  Mira shook her head and stared out the window. “I had no idea. I’m pretty much illiterate when it comes to technology and I’m angry at myself that my phone was like a flashing neon sign broadcasting my every move to him.”

  “Well, we don’t know that that’s what he did. He could have hired a private investigator to follow you. But anyone with access to your phone for five minutes can activate GPS tracking and have access to your whereabouts at regular intervals and you would never know.”

  Glancing over, he watched her pick at the fabric of her sweatpants with shaking fingers. He didn’t want to scare her any more than she already was, but she also needed to understand for her own safety. What he really wanted to do was ask her who the bastard was, but his experience over the last few years had taught him that between trust issues and fear, many stalking victims didn’t feel safe naming names. Too vulnerable. Too exposed.

  “I do have a couple of people who worry about me. I can email them, but I’d feel better if I had a more immediate way to contact them if I needed to.”

  “Right. First, no email until we get you encrypted. And no social media. We can head to the mall now and pick up a few prepaid calling cards. Depending on your plans, also some prepaid phones. That way you can send one to whoever you need and you’ll have untraceable phone and texting with them.”

  She nodded, but her frown only deepened. “The thing is . . . I’m a little low on cash.”

  “I’ve got it.” Kaz saw the denial start to form on her lips and he moved to preempt it. “Hey, consider it a loan until you get back on your feet.”

  Her green gaze shot over to his and he could feel her examination of his profile as he pointed his truck toward the highway. It wasn’t always easy for someone feeling weak and vulnerable to accept help even when they’d sought it out, but hopefully her survival instinct would kick in.

  “Thanks. I’ll pay you back. With interest.”

  Chapter Ten

  Four hours later Mira was settled on the couch in Kaz’s living room feeling like she might be able to breathe again. Having the prepaid phone cards in her purse eased the feeling of being cut off that strangled her when Kaz had dropped her phone in the fish bowl. But what really calmed her down was the Sudoku puzzle book Kaz had bought for her.

  Kaz had thought she’d been staring at the chocolate bars while they waited in line for the cashier. He’d tilted his head and urged her to grab one. She’d gone straight for the puzzle book. Okay, fine, she’d tossed in a Ghirardelli dark chocolate sea salt with caramel bar, two Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, and a bottle of red wine too but hello, she had a lot of stress to deal with.

  Stress was like a runaway snowball heading straight for her. It had started small around the time she’d broken up with Ivan and then with each job she’d lost, it grew and grew. As her bills piled up and the calls from collection agencies started, the snowball grew to be boulder-sized. Hearing Kaz explain how easily Ivan could have tracked her every movement with the GPS on her own phone had sent a new frisson of fear down her spine.<
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  The Sudoku puzzles soothed her. They calmed her down and pushed back the darkness that threatened to overwhelm her. She let herself get lost in the numbers and logic, only to resurface when her stomach growled for the third time.

  She walked down the hall to Kaz’s home office and found him absorbed in his computer screen with a phone tucked against his ear with his shoulder. He had donned a pair of wire-framed eyeglasses that sent a warm flush down low in her belly. Oh, did she ever have a weakness for hot guys in glasses.

  Back away from the adorable nerd, Mira. She made an about-face and escaped to the kitchen, deciding that making dinner for them both would be a welcome distraction. She might have to seriously consider hiding his glasses in order to stay focused during his lessons for staying hidden on the internet.

  Pulling open the refrigerator, Mira stood examining the contents with surprise. You could tell a lot about someone by the contents of his refrigerator. This wasn’t the refrigerator of what she’d consider a typical bachelor. Goodness. First of all, it was full. And not a single takeout container or Lunchables box around. Lots of fresh vegetables, many she couldn’t even name if she was in the final round of Wheel of Fortune and Vanna had turned every letter but one.

  Colorful fruits and fresh fish. Milk in glass bottles with McClatchy’s Dairy on the label. Brown eggs in a basket like he’d plucked them from under the chickens himself. She slammed the door closed. Kaz was a damn healthy eater and, hey, good for him, but she didn’t know how to make a meal of bok choy and kimchi. The only thing that looked good was a six-pack of home brews on the top shelf.

  Searching out the pantry, she hoped to find a can of something she could heat up. Maybe a can of soup or even a box of macaroni and cheese, but his pantry was no help either. Coconut milk, coconut oil, nuts, nut flours. It was a junk food eater’s nightmare. She was about to give up and call the diner to see if they delivered when her gaze landed on a stack of tuna fish cans. Hello normal food. She could work with that. Grabbing two cans, she darted her attention along the counters, looking for the can opener. Figures Mr. Healthy wouldn’t have one. She found a manual opener easily enough in his neat and well-organized drawers. Okay, his drawers set her heart pitter-pattering; she loved order herself.