Dare To Love Series: Icy Dare (Kindle Worlds Novella) (5 page)

“Do you really think Tyler would let any harm come to you? Or I would?”

“He’s your friend, not mine. Don’t take it the wrong way, but I don’t trust him.” The shakes were gone, and she strove to control her breathing.

“How should I take it exactly? This is a man I trust with my life and would do anything for.”

“You stated it exactly. Your life. Problem is, this isn’t
your
life. It’s
mine
.” She wrung her hands. “I don’t mean any disrespect to him, but I haven’t met him. I’m leery.”

“You didn’t know me, either.”

“And look what I was like at the beginning.”

“Point taken. You trust me now, don’t you?”

“Yes.” The moment the word passed her lips, she knew it was truth. “I do.”

“And I trust Tyler.” He spoke with finality.

Sakharre understood that. By his reasoning, she should trust Tyler. Well, she didn’t. She couldn’t. Her trust was minimal. “Good for you.”

Dorian ran his fingers along her skin. “You’re not staying, are you?”

Again, he made it a statement. Pursing her lips, she shrugged.

“That’s no life. You need to settle down. Get roots.”

“And do you have that?”

“We’re different.”

She narrowed her gaze but merely reached for his hand, skimming her fingers along the scars on them. “How did you get these?”

“Middle East.”

“You were in the Army, right?”

He traced her lips. “Yes.”

“What did you do for them?”

“Whatever they ordered me to do.” His gaze grew far away even as he continued the tactile assault on her features. “And, sometimes, more than I wanted to.”

She wriggled closer, wishing she possessed the capability of erasing his pain. “That’s where you met Mr. Dare?”

“I met him when I first joined up. After I met him, I went into the Rangers.”

“Nice to have someone like that.”

He lay beside her, hugging her close. Sakharre didn’t fight. She’d intended to be icy and cool toward him, but he continually found ways past that defense. Whatever she tried to throw up in the way was swiftly destroyed.

Dorian didn’t ply her with flowery words as an attempt to get her to let him in He was just himself. Oddly enough, that was all it took. Yes, he rocked her world. In more ways than one. She barely knew him—other than on an intimate level—but he’d gotten beyond her walls, by her survival instincts. That voice in her head that warned her about involvements or attachments.

Not to mention how dangerous it could be. After all, Clay had been against her best judgment.

Look how well that turned out.

“You’re thinking about something.”

“Usually am. It’s a habit of mine.”

“Smartass.” He pinched her lightly, and she jumped. “Not what I meant, and you know it.”

“Nothing.” His hold tightened on her. “Honest. Just some wayward thoughts. Besides, I thought we were going to head out.”

“We are. I think it’s time to change vehicles once more.”

“I’m going to be wanted for a string of grand theft auto.” She disengaged from his limbs and went to put on her shoes. As she sat on the ottoman, she stared over at the man who still lay on the bed. He watched her in return, giving her a wink.

How does he do it? Sets me at ease with nothing more than a look.
She tied the last shoe and rose, swiping her pack that now had a companion to carry along— a small duffel of clothing.

“Where are your things that you had? I’m sure you didn’t come from Miami with nothing to track me down.”

“At the bus station in my car while I looked for you.” He pushed to his feet. “They’re holding it there, and I’ll get them after I finish the job.”

Cold water splashed in her face with his words. No matter how good he was at putting her at ease, those words reminded all she was to him was a job, and once he got her back to Miami, he would be leaving.

“Of course.” Her words were clipped and chilly.

“I didn’t mean it like that.”

“Sure you did. It’s what you’re doing, right? Leaving as soon as you can pawn me off on Mr. Dare and his detail?”

“It’s not like that, at all.”

“It is. I’m sure I am just a job. Probably one with a few perks, but hey, so long as the job gets done, who gives a damn who you have to lower yourself to sleep with, right?”

“Don’t even—”

She waved him silent. “Let’s just get going. We have a little over twenty hours, I think, until we get there. Let’s get it over with.”

Sakharre brushed by him and headed for the door.
This time, I’ll keep him at a distance. I won’t allow myself to create a fantasy with a man who’s looking to get rid of me the moment he can.

Chapter Five

Miami

Dorian drove along the busy streets, one eye on traffic and the other on the woman sitting beside him. She sat straight, unbending as rebar, while she stared out the window. No expression changes as she gazed out at the high-end cars, scantily dressed women, and tree-lined streets. All he had to do was take her to Louis’ house, and Tyler would speak with her later.

Guilt ate at Dorian’s gut. He should see it through, but all he’d been hired to do was find her and get her back. He did his job. Period. Stuff got messy when you went beyond what was required.

The car swerved as his memories took him back to Stan where his world had been so full of blood, gunfire, and death. He’d lost a best friend doing what he’d thought was best and not what had been required of him. Had he done his job—only his job—Ricky would still be alive. Or so Dorian told himself right before he buried himself in another bottle of beer.

And another. And another. Until he couldn’t remember anything other than what the insides of his lids looked like.

Turning on his blinker, he slowed for the left turn. She still hadn’t said a word. But then, since they’d left twenty hours ago, she’d not said anything, really. Muttered yes or no on the rare occasion. Her glares were soft as a porcupine, but he ignored all of it, for he was too busy convincing himself she would be better off away from the drunk he was.

Nice houses and he shook his head. This was the life for some, not him. He just needed to get back to Seattle, recover his bag, and get back to his quiet world. He’d done well staying away from the drink, other than the beer in the bar she’d worked at, but the urge was riding him hard. The urge to drink and forget. To lose the memories and the pain. To have it all be nothing but a blur.

PTSD, the doctors said. Yes, he wasn’t an idiot—he knew that. He also knew that alcohol worked just fine in keeping those memories at bay. A lot cheaper than therapy and paying for medication. Tasted better, too.

He pulled up a drive and parked the vehicle behind a shiny white Audi. Slanting his gaze to his passenger, he sighed when she merely opened the door and stepped free of the car’s interior. He killed the engine and got out. Together, they headed up to the front door.

The back of Dorian’s neck prickled, and he scoped the area. Nothing he could see, but the Ranger in him found a good deal of hiding places in the area where a tango could be hiding. He shook his head. They weren’t tangos; they would be considered perps, now. He was no longer in a war zone—technically.

They climbed the brick steps, and he reached out and pressed the doorbell. Tilting his head to Sakharre, he hated the look of resignation on her face. The moment the handle began turning, her face was wiped clean of any and all emotion. Leaving the blank slate he’d first seen on her in the bar.

A woman in a maid’s uniform stood there. “Yes?”

“We’re here to see Louis,” he replied.

“Who may I say is calling?” She tucked some dyed blonde hair behind her ear from where it had escaped the bun.

“His sister,” Sakharre said.

“One moment, please.” The door closed, and they were alone, again. Each with their own thoughts.

Dorian wanted to reassure her things would be fine. He had no doubt that Tyler’s men would keep her safe.
You know you should stay with her
, his conscience reprimanded him. No, this wasn’t what he did. Tyler’s men were professional at this.

“I’m not a solider, anymore,” he said, turning her toward him. “You understand that, right? I don’t protect people, anymore.”

Pain flashed before it was masked by an icy sheen. “No one asked you to. In fact, why don’t you leave now so you can get back to whatever is so damn important for you to do?”

Damn it, he wanted to explain it to her. The words wouldn’t come. Besides, if she were upset with him, perhaps it would be easier on him to leave her.

“Mr. Dare’s men will be by soon. We just got here sooner than expected.”

She dismissed him with a glance. “Makes no difference to me.”

The door opened, and they were face to face with a large man.
Damn, he’s big on television but bigger in person.
She’d not been lying when she said he was over three hundred pounds. He’d put the man between three-twenty to three-forty. It wasn’t fat with him, but solid muscle.
Wouldn’t want that on the other side of the ball coming after me.

His expression was serious until he laid his eyes on Sakharre. He smiled and looked like a little boy.

“Sakharre!” he boomed. “I was so worried about you.” He picked her up like a doll and hugged her.

“Louis,” she said, voice muffled by his size. “Put me down, please.”

Dorian could see the reluctance from Louis as he did as she’d requested. She tugged on her shirt hem once her feet had been returned to the ground. Louis looked at Dorian and stuck out his hand.

“Louis Reiss. Thank you so much for finding her and bringing her home. You’ll see, Sakharre, all will be better, now. Mr. Dare has his brother on it. That guy won’t be able to breathe in your direction. Please come in. Mr. West, surely I can get you something to eat and drink. In fact, since you’re here early, I insist you both stay the night. I have plenty of room and practice is done for the day, so I’m not going out.”

“I can—”

“Stay here? Wonderful.” Louis’ smile was one that told Dorian he had expected to have his wishes met.

They were escorted inside the cool house, and he was grateful to be out of the heat. There was a reason he lived in the north. He preferred the cold to heat. The winters where they were snowed in, he reveled in. After all his time in the desert, he’d come to hate heat and sand. The purity of snow made him smile.

“Mr. West?”

He snapped back to the conversation at hand. “I’m sorry. Please call me Dorian.”

Louis nodded. “Can I have May get you anything to drink? Water, tea, lemonade, beer or, hell, something stronger, if you’d like.”

Beer was something he wanted, but it wasn’t time. “Tea or lemonade is fine.”

May smiled and slipped away. Louis clapped his hands together and hugged his sister, again.

“We’ll grill out tonight in celebration of you being home. I’d love to know what you’ve been doing for the past two years.”

Even Dorian picked up on the admonishment in his tone. Sakharre merely shrugged and led the way to a living room where she sat on a leather love seat. Dorian took a recliner where he could see both her and Louis. Their drinks were brought swiftly, and he took a grateful sip of the lemonade.

“The grill is heating up so we’ll be grilling soon.” Louis leaned back on his couch. “Tell me.”

αβ

Louis loved his sister—that much was obvious. At the end of dinner, they continued to sit outside, the night having cooled off a bit. Dorian was full of perfectly done steak and sides. Louis manned the grill himself and did a damn good job.

He’d been silent most of the meal while Louis talked to Sakharre. He’d learned a bit more about her over the course of their dinner. May had brought them some chocolate dessert, also amazing.

“I think I’ll go lay down,” Sakharre said, rising to her feet. She kissed Louis on the cheek and nodded in Dorian’s direction. “Mr. West.”

It grated on his nerves that that was how she addressed him. Hell, they knew one another on a personal, intimate level, and she couldn’t use his first name. She sure as hell could scream it to the room. Biting back his response, he replied, “Sakharre.”

She went inside and Dorian reached for his glass and drank more lemonade.

“What the hell happened while you were on your way back here?”

All of Dorian’s protective instincts went into full alert. This tone wasn’t the gentle one the sister got. This was all alpha male who made his living beating up others.

“We ran into a bit of trouble.”

“As in?”

“She was kidnapped by some human traffickers.”

“Why wasn’t I told about that?” Louis flattened the beer can in his hand with the ease of popping a zit.

“We’d resolved the situation and didn’t feel it necessary to divulge to you. No point in worrying you more.”

“This is my sister we’re discussing. Not some stranger off the street.”

Dorian leaned forward. “We know. And she is safe. Was safe. Now, she’s here, and Mr. Dare will have a detail for her tomorrow.”

“What was she doing when you found her?” Louis cracked his neck.

“Working as a bartender and a very good one.”

He sighed heavily. “At least she wasn’t stripping.” He rose and began pacing. “You know her mother was a stripper. Even when she came to be with my father, she couldn’t let it go. She craved the attention it gave her. Loved all the men looking at her. I’d hoped that she wouldn’t follow in her mother’s steps, but I was worried. I mean, she’s not got the body for it, but she’d probably be able to work in a lower-end place.”

Dorian narrowed his gaze. “How could you talk about your sister like that?” Lord, he wanted to punch him in the face.

“She’s not exactly built like a stripper.”

He recognized he was being baited and pulled back, choosing not to say anything, no matter how it gnawed at him. “Not really a relative point since she wasn’t stripping.”

“Right, she was bartending. Is that where she got snatched?”

“No, it was at a bus station. Professional crew. A woman tagged her in the restroom, and when she collapsed, the other two were working as paramedics.”

“She’s older than me, you know.” Louis reclaimed his seat. “But she’s always been a bookworm, and I had to protect her. Or try. She wasn’t exactly fond of me. Some days, I’m not sure she is even now. I think she merely tolerates me. When I signed here, I asked her to come down. She did and got in the university. She would come to a few games and some practices but tended to avoid what I did. I wanted her happy, so I encouraged her to go out with some of the guys. That never ended well. She didn’t hold any grudges, but I couldn’t stand to think of any of them touching her.”

He scrubbed a hand down his face and reached for another beer. “Then, came Clay. Actually, a man who I hadn’t introduced her to and one who, for all intents and purposes, appeared interested in her. Unfortunately, it was to her detriment. He is insane. Nearly got her kicked out of the university. He’s broken into her place numerous times, and then, came the threatening letters.”

“Why didn’t someone go to another precinct if the man had friends in one?”

“That’s on me,” he said, voice tortured. “I didn’t believe her until I found one of the threatening letters. I couldn’t believe someone would stalk her.”

“Because of her weight?”

Shame filled his features. “Yes. I was thinking she should be happy someone was paying her attention. It was wrong, I know this. I spend my days surrounded by the cheerleaders and skinny women who can have almost any man they choose. My sister was dumpy next to them. I wasn’t thinking.”

“No, you weren’t. And, when you realized she wasn’t lying, it was too late.” Dorian’s tone rang with disappointment.

“Exactly. She’d already run away. I’d gone to her place and found nothing but a bag of papers. At the bottom, I found one of the letters. It talked about how, since she’d ignored the previous letters, he would have to get more drastic. He mentioned taking her to a place where it can just be the two of them.” He made a fist. “Then, he went in great detail on what he was going to do to her.” His face hardened, anger etched along the planes. “I’m going to kill him if I ever get my hands on him.”

“That won’t do anyone any good. You have a job to do, let Mr. Dare do his.”
I’m going to kill him first for doing what he did, so you don’t have to worry about it.
Dorian pushed to his feet. “Thank you for dinner. I am going to get a few hours of sleep, and I’ll be out of your hair.”

“Thank you, for bringing my sister back home.”

“Just doing my job,” he said and walked up to his room.

αβ

Sakharre stood out on the balcony of her room, the thick night air oddly soothing as she listened to the familiar sounds of the city. Tomorrow, she would meet the men assigned to keep her safe, and Dorian would be out of her life forever.

News that should make her happy, but it was the exact opposite. An enormous sense of loss filled her, and she couldn’t explain why. She and Dorian didn’t have a deep, meaningful relationship. It had been intense, brief, and passionate. Nothing which would create a bond.

Unless you counted on the gunfire, that he came for her, and what they shared in bed. To her, that was deeply meaningful.

“Suck it up,” she muttered, disgusted with her behavior.

Walking back inside, she curled up in the large chair in the corner, legs tucked beneath her. She rested her head back and tried to think about her life as normal. Could she go back and finish her Masters? Hell, did she want to? While bartending wasn’t her favorite thing she’d done, working with the dogs at the training facility she cleaned kennels for had been something she’d enjoyed.

All those years in school perhaps for nothing. She closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep.