Relinquished

by K. A. Hunter

  “Dammit, Dante! I specifically told you to keep your distance. You weren’t supposed to make contact.” My father emphasized each word with a bite. “You have no idea what kind of hell you’ve unleashed. She was attacked because you didn’t listen, don’t you get it? Fuuuuck!”

  I gritted my teeth for the umpteenth time. “No, I don’t get it, Dad. You haven’t explained a fucking thing. What the hell was I supposed to do? I couldn’t stand by anymore. You trained me to help, not fucking let life beat the shit out of her. Besides, do I really need to remind you that you’re the one who brought her into my life in the first place?”

  “This isn’t the time to throw shit in my face,” he growled. “And there are reasons why I told you to keep your distance.” The outrage in his voice reminded me of the few times I’d witnessed him reacting to someone who’d disrespected one of the girls in our care.

  “Yeah, well, you sure haven't shared them with me, so I did what I thought was best.”

  “What you thought was best has put the three of you in the crosshairs. You and Holden are as much at risk as she is now.”

  I rolled my eyes. “Whose crosshairs? Those pieces of shit, Sam? Travis? Those douchebags can only take on defenseless girls. I’m not worried about them.”

  He took a quiet but deep breath. He was known for those when he was both angry and worried. “You should’ve just done as I said. You don’t need all the answers, you just needed to trust me and follow my instructions.”

  I let out a silent groan. “Dad, you aren’t making any sense. Can we just discuss this without the dramatics?” After all, he was the one that dropped this shit in my lap in the first place.

  “I’m not overreacting here, son,” he replied gravely. “But I can’t tell you anything else. I wouldn’t be surprised if he can trace my disposable phone. Listen, you have got to protect her, but you also need to make sure Holden knows what’s going on. You’re all in danger now.” His acute tone had me questioning how deep this really went.

  “I’ll talk to Holden, but I’m sure he isn’t going to let her out of his sight. They’re pretty much inseparable now. And I’m not going to try to keep them apart anymore.”

  “They’re together?” I don’t know why he sounded so surprised. Holden had always fallen for girls like Jules. Girls he thought needed rescuing. The difference this time, however, is, I don’t see Jules taking advantage of him the way his previous girlfriends had.

  “Pretty much.”

  “Well, damn.” He paused a moment as though he was trying to digest what I’d just said. “That’s very unexpected but shouldn’t affect anything, for now at least. Does he know that I asked you to watch her?”

  “Not yet. I figured you can take care of the details when we see you next month.” He created that shit storm, so he could clean it up himself.

  “Maybe we should call the fundraiser off this year.”

  Fuck.

  Holden knocked on my home office door before poking his head in.

  I motioned for him to take a seat across from me. “No, people have already made travel plans, and we need the donations.” I knew if we didn’t have a steady stream of contributions coming in, the government would become suspicious as to how we were functioning without incoming money. “No way. We aren’t calling anything off. We’ll be careful and put all reservations under fake names, but we’re all going.”

  He knew I was right, and besides the safety issues that could be easily covered, he didn’t have a legitimate reason to back out. “I’ll only agree if you have security with you, and do not bring her along. Leave her at home with some of the guys, just keep her as far away from me as possible.”

  I loved my father, but what a fucking bastard. “Fine,” I ground out.

  “I’m serious, Dante. I’m not heartless, son, I’m trying to be wise here.”

  “I said fine. We’ll see you at the fundraiser.” I ended the call and slammed the phone down on my desk. “Asshole.”

  “What did he say?” Holden asked casually, not even fazed by Dad’s and my argument. My dad and I were just too damn alike. We’d been fighting more than anything else lately. It’d only gotten worse since Jules entered the picture.

  “Same shit he always does.” I looked at the door, then asked, “Where’s Jules?”

  “Living room, on my laptop. Probably watching that travel show. She’s so cute with that show.” The corner of his mouth lifted. He couldn’t hide his happiness when it came to her.

  I leaned back in my reclining chair, carefully contemplating what I should say. “When do you plan on starting her training?”

  “As soon as she’s up to it.”

  I shook my head. “You need to get her in the gym right away, tomorrow even.”

  He frowned at me. “She just got out of the hospital.”

  True, but we didn’t have time to waste. “She needs to build up her strength and learn how to defend herself. You can start slow, show her some moves. Teach her how to kick a motherfucker’s ass.”

  He leaned back in his chair, placing his feet up on the edge of my desk. “I’m not rushing her. She can’t even breathe without pain. There’s no way she’ll be able to learn any moves. Don’t worry about her, she’s not leaving my side. I’ll take care of her.”

  Annoyed, I glared at the bottom of his shoes against the rim of my desk. “I’ve got some shit to tell you, but you need to listen to all of it before you freak out.” After that phone call with Dad, I can’t risk Holden going too easy on Jules. I guess I was going to have to tell him everything I’d wanted our father to.

  He sat up straighter, leaning his elbows on the armrest. “Okay.”

  I sighed before starting. “I didn’t just investigate Jules recently. I’ve had an eye on her since we first saw her.”

  Holden gripped the arms of the chair and began to rise. With a look of dominance, he spat out, “Don’t even think—”

  I held up my hands. “Don’t jump all over me yet. Hear me out.”

  “Keep talking,” he said, sitting back but still glaring at me with more than a hint of jealousy.

  “Dad mentioned that he needed me to help him out with something for months before he offered me the job. He said there was a girl in serious trouble that needed protection, but she couldn’t know she was on anyone’s radar.”

  Giving me a knowing look, he almost seemed relieved. “She felt it sometimes and chalked it up to paranoia. But after she told me about the guys she raced with, I thought for sure it was one of them.”

  “I turned him down at first. He pushed, almost seemed desperate. Said he couldn’t trust anyone else to do it. I’ll admit that curiosity got the better of me, so you and I ended up in the bar that first night. I had to see her, figure out why she was under surveillance for her own good, yet she couldn’t know about it. Then you saw her…”

  His face tightened, and his lips pressed together. “Why didn’t you tell me about it back then?”

  Nonchalantly, I explained, “Because Dad didn’t want anyone else to know, and I was still trying to figure out if I even wanted to take the case. I couldn’t let you pursue a girl that had something dangerous around the corner, but of course you fell for her.” Stupid lovesick shit that he’s always been. “I did my best to keep an eye on her without either of you knowing, but when you started seeing her more often, I had to separate you.”

  He narrowed his eyes. “Is that when you sent that whore to my hotel room in San Francisco?”

  I cringed a little, still ashamed of that one. “Yeah, I should’ve known you wouldn’t go for it. She was way too easy for your taste.”

  He stood and threw his hands in the air. “What if I had, though? Jules and I weren't even together then. How would that have kept us apart?”

  “Let’s just say that I know you two have had feelings for each other for a while, regardless if you acted on them or not. I had a plan for Jules to find out about it before you came back to town.”

  The sound
of him slapping his palms down on my desk filled the room. “You’re such an asshole. Is that why you gave her the membership? So you could talk to her without me?”

  “Part of the reason,” I admitted. “I had to make sure nothing happened to you.” I sat back, twirling my phone around on the desk. “Anyway, Dad connected me to Carr, who filled in details like Jules’ upbringing and shitty past. Let’s face it, her life hasn’t been full of rainbows, but I’m not going to be the one who fills in the blanks for you. I’ll tell you what you need to know so our safety is secure. The rest is up to her to share.”

  I wasn’t sure if that was appreciation on my brother’s face because I was respecting Jules’ privacy, or if he was irked that I might know specifics about her that he didn’t. Either way, I had no plans to tell him about things that even she didn’t know about yet.

  He pushed away from my desk and sat back down. “Let’s go back to that girl in San Francisco. I distinctly remember turning her down, then she said I still had to pay her. Since the easiest way to get rid of her was to give her some money, I turned to get my wallet, and that’s the last thing I remember until the next morning.”

  “What are you talking about? She was a friend of Andrea’s looking for a good time, not a call girl. I wouldn’t send a hooker to your room, Holden.” Well, now I know why he thought I was such an asshole, but who the hell was the girl? I’d only talked to Andrea about it.

  “Yeah, well, I woke up on the floor with a throbbing headache and a ripped shirt. I assumed I’d fallen and knocked a glass off the bar because my arm was bleeding. The rest of my clothes were still on, so I thought maybe she knocked me out to rob me but all my cash was still in my wallet.”

  I leaned forward and couldn’t believe what had happened. “Fuck, why didn’t you tell me before?”

  “We’ve been a little preoccupied since I got back.” Shrugging, he’d made a good point.

  “It could mean nothing, but I don’t like it. We aren’t taking any chances. Dad still hasn’t told me everything, but he made it clear since all of us are involved, we need to be on alert. The three of us will have at least one guy close by at all times.” I shoved my finger out at him to make my point. “No exceptions. And when Marcus is on, he sticks to Jules.”

  “Agreed, but she’ll be next to me, too.” Tilting his head to the side, he questioned, “Did you see all this coming?”

  I sighed. “No. I was so busy trying to keep you guys apart that I missed the fact that someone else was tracking her at the same time.” To say I felt guilty about it was putting it mildly. “This situation is more serious than I originally thought. We need to keep our eyes open.”

  He nodded and was quiet for a moment. “I’d like to keep Jules out of the loop as much as possible. I’m not saying we lie to her, but let’s not offer anything prematurely. She’s been through enough already. I don’t think her being stressed out is going to add anything to the solution. Now that she’s been on the news, and everyone knows what happened, I can sense how nervous she is about being noticed.”

  “Speaking of which, I got a call from the district attorney’s office this morning regarding Travis Malcolm’s parole hearing.”

  Holden tossed the pen he’d been fiddling with onto the desk. “What the fuck did she want?”

  “They saw Jules on the news and read in the police report that I was the one who called in the fire. They’re looking for Jules and asked if I knew where she was. According to the lawyer assigned to the case, they’ve been trying to locate her for a while now since she’s the only victim of Travis’ that is of age and can testify at his upcoming parole hearing.”

  Before Holden had a chance to respond, we heard Jules at the door.

  Oh shit.

  Holden’s wish to keep her out of the loop may have been squashed already.

  “They finally found me?” she asked with shy contentment.

  Her response totally threw me off. I’d assumed that would’ve bothered her, then I thought about the whole reason why she was in the bar when it was set on fire. She now had an address, and that little thing probably thrilled her.

  She confirmed my suspicion. “I didn’t have a way for them to find me before.” Her demeanor quickly changed, however, as she shrugged. “But it doesn’t matter. I’m not going to testify.”

  Frustrated, Holden stepped up to her and took her hand. “Not testifying, why? After what he did to you and now his son? Why wouldn’t you do everything you can to keep him in prison where he fucking belongs? Are you afraid of reliving it?”

  She swallowed hard, glancing down at the floor. “No, I relive it every day, whether I talk about it or not. I’m just tired, Holden. You don’t understand. Ever since the day Travis entered my life, he’s had an impact on everything I’ve done. I just wanna move on and start living.”

  Well, damn. She made a valid point, and I understood how the experience of all those years still affected her. But the fact that she still carried it around like a festering sack of shit would be the key to keeping him detained for the rest of his miserable life.

  “Of course,” Holden said tenderly. “It’s your decision to make, but can I ask that you keep in mind that this is your chance to finally have your voice heard? I know the news reported that none of you girls got to speak on the stand. It’s quite possible your words could have the power to keep him locked up for good and not out on the street, able to hurt another little girl.”

  I was beyond impressed with my little brother. If I’d been the one to tell her that, she probably would’ve been pissed, but Holden definitely knew how to get to her, whether he was doing it on purpose or not.

  She blinked quickly, getting emotional. “Someone else can talk. My voice hasn’t meant anything in the past, and it won’t make a difference now.”

  I blew out a long breath before addressing her. “Jules, you’re the only one who can testify. Everyone else is either too young or …” There was a long pause, but I had to say it. “Gone.”

  She dropped her head while closing her eyes for a moment. “I’ll think about it.” Playing with her bottom lip, she glanced up at my brother, speaking solemnly. “I’m going to lay down for a bit. My head is starting to hurt.”

  He wrapped his arms around her, and her eyes automatically closed again as she melted into his embrace. “Take one of those pain killers by the nightstand. As soon as we’re done in here, I’ll come and check on you.”

  “Okay.” She gave him a pensive look as he kissed her forehead and let her go.

  Once she was out of earshot, Holden walked toward his chair, ready to make a plan. But my phone buzzed before we had a chance. I had just finished reading the message from Carr when Marcus came barreling into my office. Within seconds, everything came to a screeching halt.

  No fucking way.

  “Did you get that?” Marcus grunted.

  Holden looked back and forth between us.

  I nodded grimly. “Yes. I have no fucking clue what he’s planning, but we need to step everything up. Nobody is to take this lightly.”

  “Got it.” Marcus left like a bull in a china shop.

  Anxious, Holden threw his arms in the air. “What the hell’s going on?”

  There was no way to lighten the blow. “Sam was spotted down the street from the gym…but he managed to get away.”

  Shortly after we settled in at Dante’s house three weeks ago, Holden and I decided to put a label on our relationship. I’d never had a boyfriend before. Boyfriend? Wow, that was still so strange to say, but every time he heard me call him that, his face lit up. And damn have I fallen hard for him and the way he makes me feel. Over the last six months since we’ve known each other, he’s cared for me like nobody ever has.

  Although it was scary as all hell, I’d finally let down my walls completely and opened up to him. I’d confided every gritty, disgusting detail about my life. It was such a relief letting it all out and sharing my horror stories with someone who I knew cherished me. It
was beyond freeing. I tried to give it to him in small doses because I could see how difficult it was for him when he listened to everything I’d gone through.

  Still, he was so sweet and made silly promises about always being there for me and never letting anything bad happen ever again. I loved his caring nature and the fantasy he painted, but I was also aware that it wasn’t reality. Bad things happened, even when people cared.

  I’d always been cynical when people called their significant other their soulmate. Honestly, I thought it was a bunch of bullshit made up by romantics with their heads in the clouds. But now that I’d found mine, I was a believer.

  I could no longer imagine ever loving or wanting another man. He made me feel safe and treasured, and my stomach filled with butterflies whenever he simply turned toward me to offer that knowing look meant only for me.

  It has taken time to heal, though, and it hasn’t been all fun and games.

  Security guys were constantly lurking around, and the fear of Sam somehow finding me still hung in the air. Shortly after we started staying with Dante, Holden began to baby me like he was afraid I might break at any moment. He’d gone from being protective yet easygoing, to a little overbearing. I couldn’t even step out in the backyard without him making sure it was safe first.

  We still hadn’t had sex, and every time I tried to initiate something, he’d casually avoid my advances. It was really starting to bother me, and I tried to tell myself it was my own insecurity, but I couldn’t help but wonder if he sometimes viewed me as a victim and untouchable.

  God, I hope not.

  As we drove to the gym for our daily workout and training, I noticed him biting his bottom lip and staring out the windshield as if he had the weight of the world on his shoulders. His window was cracked open enough to let in a little springtime air that tousled the hair on top of his head. It looked adorable, but I hated seeing him this way.