Banishing Shadows (4 page)

He frowned sternly. “Why did you just lie there when that van was coming straight toward you?”

She took a deep breath but remained silent.

“Do you know why someone would want to kidnap you?”

She shook her head.

Cord loomed over her, his voice eerily calm. “Damn it, Kayla. Talk to me. What happened to your spunk? The girl I knew was a fighter. If I said the sky was blue she’d have argued it was green.”

Shuddering with nerves and shock, she snapped back, “I grew up! I learned that life isn’t always fun or carefree. Anyway, it was only with you that I argued every point. You were so arrogant. No one ever fought you on anything. I was doing you a favor. Your ego was so inflated that if your head had gotten any bigger it would have exploded.”

“Is that so? Sounds like I was a real ass. And yet you still tried to seduce me.”

Don’t blush, don’t blush
, she repeated the litany over and over, knowing it was a futile wish. “Like I said, I was a child back then. I’ve grown up.”

“Does that mean you won’t be throwing yourself at me again?”

Her head flew up as her temper fired. “God, you’re even more arrogant than before, aren’t you?”

“Yes, baby, I am.”

Sirens sounded. The police. God, did she even have the energy for this? She rubbed her forehead with a shaking hand before attempting to climb from the desk. She was too vulnerable with him standing over her. But Cord grasped her shoulders, his superior strength easily holding her in place.

“Why the hell didn’t you fight? Scream? Yell? Kick? Hell, I know you’re capable of defending yourself, Kayla. I helped teach you. Yet you didn’t even try to avoid that van. What were you going to do? Let it run you over? Why the hell didn’t you move instead of lying there like a beached whale?”

Her jaw dropped as shocked anger surged inside her. “You did not liken me to a whale. You ignorant jerk. How dare you yell at me!”

“I am not yelling at you.”

He was right. He wasn’t yelling. She almost wished that he would. Anything would be better than the icy fury in his voice. The angrier he got, the colder and quieter he became.

“When I saw someone trying to hurt you—” He broke off. Kayla was shocked by the pain in his voice. Stepping back, he turned away from her.

There was a brisk knock on the door.

“Police are here,” Luke called out. “They want to talk to both of you.”

For the next twenty minutes, as the police officer interviewed her, Kayla’s mind continuously mulled over their conversation. Why was he so angry? He acted as if he actually cared about her. But was it because she was his best friend’s little sister or something more? She shook off her thoughts as foolish. He was merely acting like an overprotective brother. Sighing, she stretched, trying to ease the tension in her muscles.

All she wanted was to go home and forget tonight had ever happened.

* * * * *

“Of course you’re coming to stay with us.”

Kayla winced as Quinn’s voice boomed at her angrily. Stay with him and Joe? Was he mad? She’d only just gotten away from Luke’s overprotective love, there was no way she was going to turn around and move in with the twins. Unfortunately, the stony look on Quinn’s face told her he wasn’t budging. He was already on edge, worried about her, livid at Cord for shutting them out. She just wished he’d quiet down a little because his temper wasn’t helping calm her anxious nerves.

“I’m not coming to stay with you,” she insisted, glaring at her three brothers. Overwhelmed, she felt as though there wasn’t enough oxygen in the small office with the four of them crowding around her. Quinn paced while Luke stood by the door. Joe sat behind the desk, his face thoughtful and Cord leaned against the wall, staring at her.

It wasn’t fair, having four large, stubborn, overprotective men ganging up on her.

“It’s best that Kayla stays with me.”

“What?” Quinn turned to Cord, his body stiff with temper. Kayla’s jaw dropped slowly.

“No it’s not,” she protested.

Cord’s eyebrows rose. Kayla squirmed, fighting the urge to back away. If she thought she could make it out the door she’d leave. But none of them would let her get far.

“I don’t know why you think I need watching over. I’m sure this was a random attack, it won’t happen again. I want to be in my own place, with my own things.”

Actually, the thought of being alone was terrifying. Yet if she moved in with Luke or the twins she’d be going backward. She was scared she’d find herself living with her brothers until she was old and gray.

And Cord was the last person she wanted around. She didn’t want to be close to him, day in, day out. Didn’t want him seeing how broken she was.

Luke rubbed his face tiredly. “You can’t stay by yourself, Kayla. You were just attacked. Surely you don’t want to be alone. Your choices are limited to the people in this room, and I may have to leave town at short notice, so I think it’s best you don’t move in with me.”

All gazes turned to Luke at that statement.

“Why? What’s happened?” Worry for her oldest brother pushed all other fears aside.

Luke sighed. “Lily. She texted me last night.”

“She did?” Kayla asked while Quinn swore loudly. She understood Quinn’s less than enthusiastic response to that bit of news. Kayla knew how much Luke loved Lily and how heartbroken he’d been when she’d disappeared, leaving just a note telling him to forget about her. But part of her couldn’t help but feel that her brother was better off without Lily in his life.

“Did she say where she’s been for the last three months?” Joe asked mildly. Luke stiffened.

“No. Look, I know none of you like her—”

“It’s not that we dislike her,” Kayla interjected, eager to ease the tension in the room. “We don’t even know her. We just don’t like the way she treated you.”

“She was scared.”

“She ran away without an explanation. How can you still care about her?” Quinn asked. “You haven’t heard from her since she took off.”

“Until now. I think I’m going to hire a private investigator again. I know the last one wasn’t successful, but I need to try again. If I can just find her, talk to her, then I can convince her to come back. But if the P.I. finds her, I may have to move quickly, and I don’t want to suddenly leave Kayla alone. Besides that, I’m distracted. I don’t feel that I could protect Kayla properly while this stuff with Lily is going on.”

“I don’t need protecting,” she protested.

“Someone explain to me what the hell is going on. Now,” Cord demanded.

Luke nodded. “About eight or so months ago I met this woman, Lily. She was married but unhappy. Her husband Jon was an abusive bastard. Corny as it sounds, I think I loved her from the moment I saw her. But she was skittish and frightened. I finally managed to convince her to leave the asshole. She was worried he would never let her go, but I promised that I would protect her.

“He was away on business, but Lily didn’t want me to pick her up at her house. She didn’t want the neighbors to see her getting in a car with me, in case they told Jon. So she caught the bus to a park a few suburbs over. When I picked her up, she was excited, scared. I had arranged to go out of the city for a holiday. I thought it would make her feel better. I didn’t even notice him following me until we were well out of town.”

Luke paused to take a breath. “When Lily spotted his car behind us, I tried to speed up but I couldn’t get away from him. Lily was near hysterical. It was getting dark and there weren’t many other cars around. He started to get desperate and tried to ram me. He must have lost control. He spun out, flipped and crashed. Two days later they had to turn off the life support. Couple of days after that Lily was gone.”

Quinn snarled. “Without an explanation. She ran off with a note saying she was sorry. Sorry,” he sneered.

Luke glared at his younger brother. “How many times do I have to say this? She was frightened.”

“Of what?” Quinn countered. “You did everything to help that woman. Signed a lease on an apartment for her, got her a counselor and she ran off, leaving you high and dry. You’d have been still paying for the rent on that place if Kayla hadn’t moved in.”

“She was fearful of being with another man. Can you blame her? But I’m determined I can convince her to come back. At the very least I want to make sure she’s all right.”

Cord rubbed the back of his neck. “I might be able to help. I know a P.I.—Sam Worthington. I’ll put you in touch with him. But you’re right. Having Kayla stay with any of you isn’t a good idea. None of you are equipped to deal with any real threat.”

Joe snorted as Quinn scowled.

“We’re perfectly capable of taking care of ourselves.”

Kayla frowned. “What threat? This was a random attack. I was at the wrong place at the wrong time.”

Quinn snorted. “Right, because men in balaclavas with getaway vans hang out in The Rusty Hammer’s bathroom all the time. Don’t be foolish, Kayla. I know you’ve got a brain in there, use it.”

“Do not talk to her like that.” Cord’s voice was soft whisper, but Kayla heard the steel in it.

“I’m not going to let this asshole run me out of my home.” She glanced up at Luke, aware of the plea in her eyes. “I can’t go backwards, Luke. If I do, I’m scared—I’m scared I’ll lose myself, that I’ll lose all my courage. I didn’t move into my apartment to immediately run away the first time something frightened me.”

Kayla was aware of the look Cord threw her and then Luke, but she didn’t care.

“I’m staying in my apartment.” There, that sounded firm, didn’t it?

“All right.”

Everyone gaped at Cord in shock as he agreed.

“You can stay in your apartment.”

Kayla was surprised he’d given in so easily.

“That suits me better anyway as I’ve been staying with a friend. I’ll simply move in with you.”

“Like hell,” Quinn snarled.

“No way.” Kayla shook her head.

Luke frowned. Joe was the only one who didn’t look as if he’d swallowed something sour.

“Why the hell would we let you move in with her?” Quinn jumped to his feet, glaring menacingly at Cord. “If anyone is going to move in with
our
sister, it will be one of us.”

“No,” Kayla interjected. “I can take care of myself.” No one paid her the slightest bit of attention.

Cord stared at each of her brothers. “Think about it. I’m currently unemployed. Unlike you three, I have no other commitments. I’m trained, I’m experienced, I’m well qualified for the job of taking care of your sister.”

“I can take care of myself,” she repeated, growing increasingly frustrated. This was her life, damn it.

Although there was a large part of her that didn’t want to be alone. Perhaps she needed to get a dog, a nice, vicious Rottweiler. Yes, that’s what she’d do. It was the best solution. She wouldn’t have to put up with anyone smothering her or telling her what to do, yet she’d have some protection.

“Just what the hell is going on here, Cord?” Quinn asked in a cool voice. Kayla knew that tone. The most volatile of her brothers was seriously pissed. Cord stared back at him, his face washed clean of all emotion.

“Kayla, give us a moment.” Quinn didn’t look at her as he barked out his order.

“I don’t think so,” she replied.

“If anyone’s going to go, it will be us,” Cord said in a low voice. “I’m not letting her leave this room alone.”

“Fine.” Quinn stalked to the door, which Luke opened. As Kayla watched in shock, the four of them stalked from the office.

Cord turned. “Stay here. We’ll be right outside.” He shut the door. Kayla wasted precious moments standing there, dumbfounded, before she shook herself clear of the cobwebs filling her mind and walked swiftly over to the door.

He’d locked it. She kicked it in temper, hissing as pain raced from her toes up her leg.

“Ignorant, horrid jerks.”

“What the hell is going on, Cord?” Quinn asked angrily when they were far enough away that Kayla wouldn’t hear. “Why are you so interested in Kayla all of a sudden?”

“Oh, I don’t think it’s sudden, Quinn,” Joe drawled, watching Cord, the grin on his lips not reaching his eyes. “I think Cord has been lusting after our sister for a long time.”

“What are you talking about? I’ve barely seen her over the past two years.”

“And I bet that’s because you didn’t trust yourself around her, did you?”

Intuitive bastard.
Cord had forgotten how adept Joe was at reading people.

“I’ve watched you,” Joe continued. “The way you look at her.”

Cord was pissed, but he couldn’t argue with the truth.

Quinn paced. “Our sister isn’t one of your whores, Cord. You can’t just fuck her and leave.”

He almost winced. “I’m going to pretend that you didn’t accuse me of treating your sister like a whore,” Cord stated in a deadly whisper. Sure, he’d run after taking her virginity. But for her own good. If he hadn’t gone, he’d have kept her and she hadn’t been ready for that.