“I know, you're really good at getting off the radar,” Noah admitted. “I guess I’m just…”
“Uptight? Anal retentive?” I offered with dry amusement. “I figured that out a long time ago, buddy.”
He huffed a laugh.
“Smartass. When you’re done with the wise cracks, maybe you could work on your social skills and invite me to spend the night.”
I sighed, shaking my head.
“That would ramp up the level of risk we’re working with. It was bad enough letting you visit in the first place.”
Noah blew out a breath and glanced away. He scrubbed the back of his neck.
“Fuck, I hate it when you’re right.”
Turning my cabin into a safehouse only worked if there was minimal foot traffic to keep us hidden. We had no idea who thisstalker was, or the resources he had at his disposal. If he had eyes on Kelsie, he could easily track Noah’s movements, too. And if they were both seen taking the same route to a secluded cabin in the middle of nowhere, we might as well hang a neon flashing sign over our heads, announcing our location.
“Fine,” Noah said at last, squaring his shoulders. “I’ll leave Kelsie in your capable hands. But those bikers on watch better stay away from her.” He turned to Kelsie. “And in the morning, Kels, we’re going on a long road trip until all of this blows over.”
“What about my job?” she protested.
He shrugged.
“Tell them you had a family emergency. And if they fire you, I’ll get you a job at the clinic with me.”
Kelsie said nothing, biting the inside of her cheek. After finally gaining some independence, I couldn’t imagine she was thrilled at the idea of working with her brother on a daily basis.
After Noah and Kelsie said their good-byes, I followed Noah to the door. He clasped my hand in a firm grip.
“I can’t thank you enough for looking after my sister, being there for her when she needed someone.”
If he knew the lengths I took to keep her safe, he wouldn’t be happy with me. Hell, he’d probably punch my teeth down my throat. And I wouldn’t blame him.
Noah dropped his voice to a low whisper.
“If anything goes wrong—”
“I’ll call you,” I finished for him.
He nodded. Reluctantly, he forced himself to leave the cabin.
Then Kelsie and I were alone.
It was going to be a long night.
Chapter six
Kelsie
I tossed and turned in Ryker’s bed. The sheets smelled like him—earthy and masculine—but the mattress was so hard that it might as well be a slab of concrete. I sighed and stared at the ceiling, resigning myself to a sleepless night.
After Noah left, Ryker got busy in the kitchen, making coffee.
“For the guys on watch,” he said. “I want them wide awake. No napping on the job. You should get some rest. You’ve been through a lot today.”
With his back facing me, and the Blackjacks MC patch stretched across his shoulders, guilt prickled between my ribs. I felt bad for invading his private space. He liked his solitude. Entertaining company and acting as host for the evening probably felt like fingernails on a chalkboard.
But he had a point. My body felt heavy, lethargic. After the onslaught of adrenaline and ensuing shock, I could have fallen asleep standing up.
