Page 10 of The Veteran
“We’ll switch to another vehicle,” he said, striding toward the elevator. “And we’ll get you a change of clothes for tomorrow.”
“Thanks.” I was pleased he’d thought of that. My mind was too busy whirling to be of much use for practicalities. Of course, I wouldn’t be able to get my own clothes from home. My house was a crime scene, and everything inside it was potential evidence until the police said otherwise.
Kade pressed a button and we waited for the elevator to descend.
“I’m sorry,” he said gruffly. “About Jessica.”
“It was a shock,” I said. “I don’t think it’s sunk in yet.”
He nodded, and from his expression, I could tell he understood. Of course he did. He’d been in the military, and now worked for a private security company. Who knew how many acquaintances he’d lost over the years?
“I know you don’t like the situation, but it’s for the best.” He sounded strained, and I glanced at him. “Your safety is important. I couldn’t stand to see you get hurt.”
Some of my anger melted away. While I might disapprove of the way they’d maneuvered me into agreeing with what they wanted, Kade clearly felt bad about it, and he had a big heart.
A snarky voice prodded at the back of my mind. If he cares so much, then why didn’t he call after that kiss?
I shook my head to dispel the thought. His reasons didn’t matter. What mattered was his actions. I needed to remember that. Perhaps it would have been easier to let go if I had more dating experience, but getting dumped shortly after losing my parents had made me wary of getting attached to men. It was unfortunate that the first guy I’d been wholeheartedly interested in since then didn’t seem to feel the same way.
The elevator arrived and we took it to the floor Kade’s office was housed on. He led me past an open plan area where several muscular men with unnaturally observant eyes sat at desks. We entered a storage area.
“There are clothes in these cupboards,” he said, gesturing to them. “They’re sorted by size. Get what you need for tonight and tomorrow, and we can collect whatever else we need later. I’ll be back in a moment.”
“Okay, thanks.”
I opened the first drawer and saw a label on the frame that read “Extra-large.” I skimmed down a couple of drawers until I found one with the right size and collected a pair of track pants, a t-shirt, and a hoodie, all free of labels. I assumed King’s Security didn’t want any identifying information on whichever staff wore these. I slipped the hoodie over my own clothes, glad for the warmth, even though part of me despaired at being clad in something so gray and soulless. I’d forged myself into a bright, strong person over the past few years and I hated the way the situation made me feel as though that was being taken away from me.
“Ready to go?” Kade asked from the doorway.
“I think so. Will the safe house have toothbrushes and other toiletries?”
He nodded. “They’re always well-stocked and Ronan will have arranged for groceries to be delivered.” He glanced at his watch. “We’d better get on our way.”
I trailed behind him back through the building. We took a different elevator to the basement and Kade withdrew a key fob from his pocket and pressed a button. The lights of a white sedan lit up and he headed toward it. I waited for him to check the interior and beneath the vehicle, then I got into the passenger seat and clipped the seatbelt on.
I gazed out the window as we drove, feeling oddly disconnected. I reached into my purse and curled my fingers around the black tourmaline stone, my thumb rubbing over the smooth surface, allowing it to soothe me. I would be okay. I knew I would. I’d gotten through something that would have mentally damaged a lot of people. If I could survive that night eight years ago, I could survive anything.
After forty minutes of driving, we parked behind a concrete block building located in a neighborhood of similar ones, all as soulless as my new clothes. Kade kept me close as we entered through the back and he guided me to an apartment off a dingy corridor on the ground floor. He slotted a key into the lock and silently indicated for me to stay behind him as we entered. The place was small and dark, with a living area that was multipurpose kitchen, dining, and living, and two matchbox bedrooms coming off it with a tiny bathroom between them.
I shivered. I didn’t like the energy here. It gave me the creeps. I opened my purse again and found a selenite wand buried under the other debris, which I lifted out and positioned on the kitchen counter. I murmured a quick blessing under my breath, wishing I had the tools to properly cleanse the apartment of negative vibes; this would have to do. When I finished, I turned and found Kade watching me with a combination of affection and amusement. The amusement didn’t upset me. I knew he didn’t believe in the same things I did, and during our long road trip last year, he’d questioned me about many of my practices, but he’d never been disrespectful or dismissive.
“What’s that?” he asked, gesturing to the crystal.
“Selenite. It promotes peace and calm and increases positive energy.” I bit my lip. “I wish I had more. At home, I keep a wand in every room, but this is all I have on me.” I would have loved to have some white sage to burn too, but I didn’t mention that. Perhaps if we went out tomorrow, I’d be able to pick some up.
Kade just nodded. “If it’s what you need, we’ll find you more of it.”
My insides flipped over. How was I supposed to keep my emotional distance when he went and said things like that?
“Thank you.” I glanced around, needing to break the tension before I did something stupid like kiss him again. “Do you mind if I have a shower?”
He went to one of the faded armchairs and sat. “Go for it. I’ll be right here.”
Warmth spread inside me. Somehow, his words made me feel safe.
Don’t get complacent, I told myself. You can’t rely on him to keep you safe or he’ll end up like the others.
Another shiver tore through me, and this one made my skin crawl. I couldn’t let Kade be harmed like Mom, Dad, Craig, or Jessica. I just couldn’t.