Stripped Defenseless

by Lia Slater

  Her shoes were nowhere to be found. Shit. How would she run without those? There was at least two feet of snow out there.

  She didn’t have a choice other than to face him and find out what the hell was going on. Her legs wobbled and her stomach rumbled as she took the steps needed to walk into the next room.

  A brown leather sofa sat in front of a burning fireplace. A small wooden table with two chairs sat behind it. A bookshelf against the wall. An enormous rolling desk. The front door. Farther, in a separate area, bordered off by a half wall was the kitchen. It was tiny, especially with Kade’s width and height taking up most of it.

  He wore a blue and beige flannel shirt and jeans. His face drained of color as he walked toward her with a plastic cup in his hand.

  “I thought you could use some water.” He handed her the cup but didn’t meet her eyes.

  Guilty as sin. Bastard.

  Ava took a desperately needed sip and scanned the room for something sharp or blunt. Nothing. It was sparsely decorated with only the essential furniture.

  “This is my home,” he said with a shaky voice.

  “No shit.” She tightened her grip on the cup. “Did you drug me?”

  His Adam’s apple rose and fell. Still no eye contact.

  “Did you?” she repeated as her heart sank.

  “I had to.”

  It was true then. Suddenly sadness transformed to rage. He’d betrayed her. Lied to her. Without further thought, she threw the cup of water at him.

  He caught it, but not before the liquid soaked his shirt.

  “Why?” she yelled at him but wasn’t sure she wanted the answer.

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t have a choice.”

  “Why?” she asked again as her heart began to break, remembering how she’d trusted him. How she’d fantasized about sharing a life with him.

  “It’s what I do. Or did. I might not find another job after bringing you here instead of delivering you to...” His voice trailed off and he drew out a breath.

  “To?” She urged him on but deep down she knew the answer. He worked for Zack. She should have realized it from the beginning. How naïve she’d been. A mysterious and handsome man walking into that seedy strip joint and paying a simple, jaded stripper special attention? It just didn’t happen.

  His ruggedly toned and muscular body wasn’t that of an average man traveling through town for his mundane career. And his evasive behavior should have rung some serious bells.

  Why had she been so easily seduced by him? Why hadn’t she asked him more questions about his life? Why had she let herself believe she had feelings for him? That he had them for her?

  She caught her breath as his clear blue eyes finally met hers. Her stupid intuition told her they read sad, regretful and caring. But she refused to believe it. She couldn’t trust anything about him.

  He’d deceived and exposed her.

  “To Zack,” she answered for him, holding back the tears he didn’t deserve. “He’s coming here then? When...when will he be here?” she asked, her voice unstable.

  There was no point in playing around with the possibility of Kade’s innocence. Sadly, he’d been on Zack’s team the entire time, and the mere thought hurt like hell. The man she thought she’d been falling in love with didn’t exist. Her imagination had allowed her to mold him into her hero...her salvation. Once again, she’d been duped. How completely pathetic.

  “It’s not what you think.” He set the cup on the table and walked past her into the bedroom.

  Ava followed and watched as he removed his wet shirt and hung it on one of the posts standing from the bed. Flashes of the passion they had shared in that same room ran through her mind. He’d made love to her here. Before she knew. Before she was fully awake.

  She felt woozy and breathless, as if someone had ripped into her stomach and drained the air out of her lungs. He had used her. She’d trusted him and given him every bit of herself, and he’d exploited her naivety for his own benefit.

  He’d taken something from her, and she wanted it back.

  As he was opening his dresser drawer, Ava ran at him with a vengeance. With swiftness she hadn’t anticipated, he turned toward her but didn’t defend himself as she beat her fists against his chest. He didn’t budge. He didn’t hurt. She needed to do something else. She needed him to feel her agony. Her heartbreak.

  Remembering her self-defense class and the damage she’d caused Jarred, she shoved the palm of her hand up toward Kade’s nose. But he caught her wrist and held it down.

  She jammed her foot as hard as she could onto his, but his boots were steel-toed. Not to be defeated, she attempted to ram her knee toward his groin, but he turned his hip.

  Furious she was being denied her right to defend her honor, she brought her free hand up and slapped his face once, twice, and then a third time.

  She used all her might, and he stood there and took it.

  He wasn’t fighting back.

  “Don’t, Ava,” he said in an annoyingly calm voice as she brought her hand up again. “Please don’t.”

  “Or what?” she yelled at him, tears stinging her eyes. She was not going to cry. Not for him. Not for anyone. “What are you going to do?”

  “Nothing,” he said, his cheek reddened from her assault. “I won’t hurt you.”

  “You’ve already hurt me, you son of a bitch.” She dropped her hand at her side and fisted it shut. “Tell me when he’ll be here!”

  “I don’t know.” He let go of her wrist, grabbed a shirt out of his drawer, and walked back into the living room.

  Ava followed, sick about not knowing the destiny Kade and Zack had planned for her. “I can’t believe I trusted you, that I gave myself to you so easily. You’re no better than Zack.”

  He showed no emotion as he tugged his shirt on while making his way to the kitchen. “I’ll make you some eggs. You have to be starving.”

  She was numb. “So we’ll wait until he walks in the door?” Sarcasm rang in her voice. “Maybe he’ll show up in the middle of the night and kill us both.”

  “He’s not going to touch anyone,” Kade grumbled as he cracked an egg into a frying pan.

  Finally. Some emotion.

  “So you think he’ll just stop by to say hello?” Ava moved up behind him. “Maybe he’ll want a quickie for old time’s sake.”

  His body tensed. “Zack Moreno is not going to lay a finger on you. I promise you that.”

  “Do you want to watch? Is that it?” Ava goaded him, satisfied she was finally getting some type of response. “While he has his way with me?”

  Before she could blink, Kade turned and backed her against the refrigerator. He grabbed her wrists and pinned her hands above her head. His body crushed hers as he stared down at her with his piercing blue eyes.

  Ava’s heart leaped. He was stronger than anyone she’d ever come into contact with, quicker than she had known possible. And she was his prisoner.

  “You’re not scaring me,” she said, taking a gulp. She needed a weapon.

  “I’m not trying to, Ava.” He kissed her forehead, and she squirmed under his touch.

  “I get it. You want to have your way with me.”

  * * * * *

  Kade pulled back and attempted to gain control. The fear and resentment in her expression was killing him. If he could only explain how he felt about her. How it bothered him to know Zack Moreno would be close to her. That the man would undoubtedly figure out that Kade had brought her here, and then come to finish the job on his own.

  Kade had too many enemies and so-called friends who knew where he lived. And Moreno was too impatient a man to waste any more time. He’d be here, all right. It was only a matter of time.

  “Oh, wait,” she said. “You already did that. Several times. Tell me, Kade. Did Zack pay you to fuck me? Cause I can’t imagine him letting anyone touch me unless he had complete control over it.”

  “No, of course he doesn’t know.”

  �
�You bad boy. I guess you screw everyone you know.”

  The eggs were beginning to crackle in the frying pan so he grabbed a paper plate from the cupboard. There was no point in arguing with her. He already knew he had done her wrong.

  “Sorry,” he muttered and flipped the eggs onto the plate. “Do you want toast?”

  “Toast?”

  He turned to hand her the plate and noticed her eyes were rimming with redness. Shit. If he could cradle her up in his arms and make it all go away, he would. But it was too late for that. She hated him and he didn’t blame her.

  “I don’t want anything from you, Kade.” She tossed the plate out of his hands. It flew into the air and landed on his shirt before the eggs fell to the floor.

  This was going to be a messy day. But he didn’t care. Whatever she needed to do to get her aggression out...as long as she didn’t try leaving.

  Not that she had the option anyway since he’d hidden her shoes.

  “Fine.” He tore his T-shirt over his head and threw it on the counter. “You can help yourself if you get hungry enough.” He bent down and wiped the egg mess off the floor.

  And saw her foot swing up toward his head.

  Kade grabbed her ankle before she made contact, causing her fall to the floor. Quickly, he moved over her, restraining her against the hard wood. She writhed underneath him, putting up a hell of a struggle. But her attempt to battle him off was pointless. He weighed twice as much and could easily handle any fight she had in her.

  “Goddamn you,” she screamed into his ear with a sob in her voice. “Let me hurt you.”

  “I can’t, Ava,” he said against her cheek as he secured her wrists to the floor and his body in between her legs. If he was injured, how would he protect her?

  “Don’t say my name,” she yelled and slammed her head against his mouth.

  Fuck. That hurt. “Baby, I’m going to have to tie you up if you don’t knock it off.” He propped his forehead against hers. Her eyes went to his lip, which felt like it was cracked and swelling.

  A drip of blood landed on her chin and she smirked. “I hate you.” She seethed while her eyes welled over. One tear escaped and slid down her temple.

  “I know.” God, it felt like it was his heart that was leaking blood onto her instead of his lip. If only things could be different. If he could have found her outside of these messed up circumstances.

  “Let me go.” Her body grew limp under his. “Please. You’re hurting me.”

  She was lying, of course, but he released her anyway and stood, grabbing a paper towel to press against his lip.

  She rose from the ground and angrily swiped at a tear and the drip of blood on her chin. “Where are my shoes?”

  “You can’t leave.”

  “He’s going to kill me.”

  “I won’t let him touch you. I already told you that.”

  “Why would I believe a word you say? You brought me here so you could hand me over to him. So you could make a few bucks. Why the hell do you think he wants me?”

  “I don’t know. Why don’t you tell me?” Kade could only guess. Maybe she’d angered him by snooping in his dirty laundry. Maybe she witnessed something she shouldn’t have. Or maybe she had info on Zack that he didn’t want shared with the public. Zack Moreno’s boss was rising quickly on the political ladder and any dirt on him was sure to be swept under the rug.

  Whatever the problem was, it could easily be talked out or bargained. Kade was sure of it. Just as long as Ava’s sassy mouth didn’t get in the way.

  “You don’t even know? Are you just some bozo Zack hired off the street?”

  Kade took offense and threw the bloodied paper towel in the trash. “I don’t usually get involved with my client’s and target’s quarrels. I pinpoint, abduct, deliver and collect. Cut and dried.”

  “Oh really? You forgot fuck over. Is that before or after pinpoint?”

  “I didn’t know you were the target until—” He raked his hand through his hair. “I thought Poppy was you. She had green eyes. You have blue. Zack gave me the wrong description.”

  Ava laughed. “Of course he did. He’s colorblind. How much is he paying you to know absolutely nothing?”

  Colorblind? Kade scowled, furious with himself for not knowing this bit of information, and he wondered if it were true or if Ava was feeding him bullshit. “Why does he think they’re green?”

  “None of your concern.”

  “Did you lie to him?”

  “Believe whatever you want.”

  “Why did you tell him they were green?”

  She shrugged and walked away. “I’m going to find my shoes and get the hell out of here.”

  * * * * *

  Six drunken, slurring, stumbling men walked into the club, and took a table by the stage. One of them had a G-string around his neck so Poppy assumed he was the bachelor about to lose his freedom.

  Magnolia was on stage and already going in for the kill, hitting up the least drunk man who was most likely the best man. And the one responsible for sending his buddy off with a thrill.

  Bachelor parties usually paid big bucks, but Poppy had her eye on someone else.

  Tall, slicked back brown hair, brown eyes, a nice suit and jewelry that sparkled from across the room. This guy was loaded, she could tell.

  He seemed to be scanning the room for someone or something, and Poppy decided that someone should be her. She walked over before one of the other girls could get their claws in him.

  “Can I help you?” she asked.

  His dark gaze swept over her. “Probably not.” He smirked. “You know a girl named Ava?”

  Of course. Ava was stealing the show even when she was gone. What was it with that chick? “She doesn’t work here anymore.”

  “Oh?” His eyes widened. “When did she leave?”

  Poppy made a note of the black leather case he held in his hands. A businessman of some sort. “Just come from work?”

  “Work?”

  Poppy pointed to the case.

  “Yeah. Sure. Work. So, when did she leave?”

  “Yesterday, I think.”

  “Fuck,” he mumbled. “Was she with anyone?”

  “Why do you want to know?” The suspense was killing her. What was going on? Who was the real Ava and how deep of trouble was the girl in?

  “Listen, I haven’t got the time to stand around and chat. The view’s nice and all.” He scoped out her body again, stopping at her bare chest. “But could you just answer my question?”

  “You seem tense. Want a lap dance?” She needed to get more information out of him and maybe some cash. He looked like he had a lot of both. “Come on. Ask me anything you want while I’m getting you off.”

  Feeling confident he’d follow, Poppy turned and walked toward the backroom. And just as she guessed, he did. She felt his presence close behind her. The strong scent of expensive cologne gave him away.

  She pushed the door open and let him walk in first.

  Usually the client had to pay a bouncer for this type of special treatment, but Jarred hadn’t come to work yet and none of the other bouncers really gave a damn what she did.

  “What’s your name, sweetheart?” He sat back on the leather sofa and set his briefcase beside him.

  “Poppy. What’s yours?” She straddled his lap, and an instant erection poked up against her.

  “Just call me Zack.”

  Chapter Seven

  Kade sat down at his desk and lifted the rollaway panel to reveal two flat screen computer monitors, all the while listening to Ava tear apart his bedroom. She wasn’t going to find her shoes in there so he didn’t bother trying to stop her. Besides, it kept her occupied. And he had work to do.

  On one screen, he was able to oversee the views from the surveillance cameras he had set up over the only road coming up the mountain. There were three in all. One five miles down the road, the second a quarter mile and the third was positioned at his front door. Unless a fool wa
nted to hike up a steep mountain or be dropped down by a helicopter onto his roof, no one was getting past those cameras.

  He was ready for Zack or anyone else who attempted to trespass onto his property.

  The other computer was used for finding data or email contacts with his buddies and his competition. Most were one in the same. With what he did for a living, being paranoid was the only way to survive.

  He pulled up his email account. Twelve unread messages. Nine from Lucy. Shit.

  “What is all that?” Ava asked from behind him.

  Kade swiveled his chair around to face her. Her cheeks were flushed and rosy. A loose strand of auburn hair fell into her face. She blew it away, and Kade held back a smile. She was adorable even when she was angry.

  He just hoped she wouldn’t stay mad. Visions of electric makeup sex with Ava came to mind, making him uncomfortable in his jeans. Hell, a man could hope.

  “Stop looking at me like that.” She frowned at him and placed her hands on her slender hips.

  “Like what?” Curiosity made him ask.

  “Never mind.” She pointed toward the desk. “Is that your spy equipment?” She asked as if the costly setup were a flimsy, plastic toy a five year old would play with.

  Kade gave her a grin. “Surveillance. So I know when your boyfriend’s getting close.”

  “He’s not my boyfriend, and I don’t plan to be here when he arrives.” She scrunched up her forehead as obvious concern took over her face. Her dark blue eyes plunged to new depths. “Please tell me where my shoes are.” She kneeled down before him and ran her trembling hands up his thighs. “Please. I’ll do whatever you want.”

  Kade conjured every bit of self-control he had in him as she braced her palm against his cock, knowing full well what she was attempting to do—seduce him into letting her go. He cleared his throat but couldn’t gather the willpower to push her away. “Tell me why you lied to Zack about your eye color?”

  “Then you’ll give me my shoes?” She looked up at him with pouty lips and sensual eyes.

  He shrugged, but his cock hardened from her touch. “You give me info. I’ll give you info.” He wanted to offer her so much more than that. An embrace to calm her nerves. A kiss to tell her he loved her. An orgasm to please them both. Something. But not a way for her rush out of here with the false hope that she would be saving herself.