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Chapter Four
Caitlyn
I hated how easily I melted against his chest, and the strange fluttery sensations from before increased and flew through my body. I shifted with my hand pressed against him to force distance, but he groaned and I glanced up in horror. “Did I hurt you?”
“A little. With your newfound strength, you could break one of my ribs if you push that hard again.”
“Shit, I’m sorry. Do you think I’m stronger than Popeye now?”
Kade exhaled, but he didn’t sound annoyed. I couldn’t quite figure out where his mood was though. If he had spent the past seventy-something hours taking care of me, either all by himself or with a little assistance from his sister, then he was probably tired. How could I repay him for that? He seemed to have the patience of a saint.
“I don’t know, but from what I just experienced, you pack a bigger punch than you ever did before. Eventually, you’ll figure out your limits.”
Kade adjusted me against him, and then walked us down the last few stairs and into the kitchen. It was literally the kitchen I’d dreamed of as a little girl. Gorgeous dark cherrywood cabinets. An island in the middle. Huge stainless-steel fridge with double doors.
“Wow.” I saw myself cooking and baking in this perfect space. I wasn’t sure where the odd vision came from, but so many other things were so odd, it was the least of my problems.
Kade sat me on the cushioned chair by the island, grabbed a new bottle of water from the fridge and handed it to me before rummaging through his shelves and cupboards.
I said nothing about the fact that he was handing me a new bottle of water every fifteen minutes or so, and instead drank it quickly. I was still parched beyond belief, I assumed from the fever.
Oil sizzled in the pan. Within a few minutes, the smell of garlic, ginger, and other spices permeated the air and my mouth watered. The delicious aromas wafted through the kitchen and I realized how hungry I was.
“Do you like teriyaki chicken?”
“I’d eat dog food if that’s all you had to offer me,” I said as my stomach rumbled, “but whatever you’re cooking smells delicious. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. I know you are anxious to talk about what happened.” His voice had a weary tone to it as he moved around the kitchen, intent on whatever culinary masterpiece he was whipping together. “Before you start with a million questions, tell me the last thing you remember.” Kade moved around the stove and kitchen with such grace, that I sort of zoned out as I watched him. “Focus.” He snapped his fingers twice, and I startled.
“Sorry,” I replied sheepishly. “My brain is a little fuzzy.”
He nodded and continued working. A few minutes later, plates were fixed, and he sat down on the other side of the table across from me and poured himself a glass of Pinot Grigio from the bottle of wine on the table. He didn’t offer me any, but considering how sick I’d been, it was better to stick to water.
“Tell me about your night,” he prompted. “Everything you remember.”
“My boss took an order for Devil’s Park and said I would lose my job if I didn’t deliver it,” I began. “So, I delivered the pizza and was heading back to my car when this woman named Sheila jumped out of a moving vehicle followed by her boyfriend. We exchanged some unpleasant words and he pulled a gun on me. I crushed it, but I thought it was a child’s toy because of how malleable it seemed in my hand. I kicked him in the balls, he got pissed and tried to hit me, and then I threw him. He flew to the other side of the road and got knocked out somehow. Maybe from the impact? Sheila told me to get out of there. Things went blurry afterward and I saw some guy in a mask, or at least I thought he had a mask on.”
“Hm.” Kade set his fork down. “Do you remember anything else?”
“No, not really. I wasn’t feeling so great.”
Kade nodded thoughtfully, took a heaping bite of his food, and chewed slowly before answering. “All right, short version. I’ve been told the woman who jumped out of the car is Sheila Delgado. Her father owns–”
“Half of this city!” I interjected, recognizing the name immediately. “Shit, yeah. I know who she is. Wait, I saved Sheila Delgado’s life?”
“One thing at a time. Yes, it was her, but it’s debatable about the outcome. The man she was with was Antonio Morelli. He’s got absurdly deep pockets and a knack for faces. I’d bet you’re already at the top of his most-wanted list. He must have managed to convince Sheila to go with him at some point, and now she’s probably locked away in one of her father’s mansions under a protection detail.” Kade ate several mouthfuls of the teriyaki chicken, then washed it down with a sip of wine. “So, your effort might have been in vain.”
“Great.” So much for trying to help someone.
“What were you doing there?” I implored him for more information. “Were you wearing a mask when you collected me? How do you know Sheila and Antonio? Do you work for him?”
“Jesus.” He sipped from his glass and forced a pause. “You’re demanding a lot of information. Let’s see. I’m not sure what you mean about a mask. I do have a personal beef with Antonio, but I’m not discussing the details of it with you. Just saying his name out loud is asking for some sort of repercussions around this city.” He took another sip of wine.
“If you’re really the man who saved me the other night, then I’m sure you had a mask on.” Lifting my legs underneath the table, I grabbed his thigh between my feet and squeezed. The action probably hurt a lot more than it normally would. “I’m excellent at reading between the lines, and I don’t care for liars.” I cocked an eyebrow and glared suspiciously, but so much of the night blurred in my mind. Had my vision blurred as well? No. I was right about the masked man. I tried to remember what had happened immediately afterward, but failed.
“If you don’t loosen your grip,” Kade spat between gritted teeth, “I’m going to show you what else I do to women in my care, who suddenly think they’ve got the upper hand after being shown nothing but kindness. I won’t tolerate your attitude, not after all I’ve done the past few days.”
“I have spent the past twenty-four years all by myself. I don’t need some sort of hero swooping in and rescuing me!”
