Chapter Four
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Jada had the craziest dreams. She wasn’t sure what had prompted them, but all night long she’d dreamed about lumberjacks. And in her dream, David was no longer a bodyguard. She had walked outside and caught him bare-chested with the sun glistening off his sweaty body. His jeans were riding extremely low on his hips as he swung an axe high over his head, letting it crash down on the log by his feet. Each time he swung his impressive biceps, and the muscles of his back tensed, and all she wanted to do was run her hands up and down his gleaming body.
But that’s not what she woke to. Instead, her nose tickled from an unfamiliar scent. As she tried to roll over in the cot it creaked, and her body reminded her she wasn’t fond of hard surfaces. Was she spoiled? Maybe. Jada had come to appreciate a soft mattress, one that practically snuggled her. This cot was one step above sleeping on the ground. If this cabin had a rug, I think I would’ve preferred the floor.
She wasn’t about to complain. David had given her exactly what she had requested. It honestly had taught her lesson. I need to be much clearer with my instructions or I might find myself sleeping in an igloo next time. That was something she didn’t want; cold didn’t appeal to her.
Jada had a photo shoot at the North Pole one time. Some smart-ass client thought it would be amazing to have a calendar of women in itsy-bitsy bikinis posing at below zero temperatures. That was before I knew I could tell people to screw off. She’d come a long way and had fought hard, but she no longer needed to accept every job opportunity. For every three people who offered her a job, she declined two. It was an amazing feeling not to have to worry about where her next meal would come from. It’s been over ten years since I’ve worried about that. But Jada had never forgotten what it had been like. Growing up without had helped develop her true character, something she’d always have. She wasn’t going through life with blinders on, ignorant to how most people lived. Jada knew pain, hunger, and loneliness. Fortunately, she also knew love and sacrifice. She couldn’t picture what type of person she would be without it. Without Dad.
Jada could see David cooking something by the fireplace. Whatever it was, it smelled delicious. She didn’t normally eat breakfast, but she couldn’t recall having dinner last night. Thankfully David had the pilot land so they could at least have a late lunch before they reached the mountain. If not she probably would be too famished to get out of bed.
She tossed a wool blanket off and wondered when he had wrapped her up. It was nice to know that no matter how much David pretended to be a hard ass, he sincerely had a soft spot in his heart. When she got off the cot, she realized this morning was much colder than it had been when they arrived yesterday. She grabbed the wool blanket and wrapped it around her shoulders as she went to sit near the fire with David.
“Good morning,” David said.
Jada smiled at him and asked, “What are you cooking?”
“Hash and potatoes.”
Unfortunately, Jada was more of a bread and pasta type of girl when it came to eating carbohydrates. If she was going to have breakfast, it would’ve been a bagel or a muffin. And occasionally pancakes or waffles. With lots of real butter. She couldn’t recall ever having hash before. Apparently, it was some type of meat. She didn’t eat plain eggs, let alone mystery meat. But as her stomach grumbled, she wasn’t going to complain. At least not until she tried what he was cooking.
“You wouldn’t happen to have any tea, would you?”
David shook his head. “Black coffee.” He handed her a cup, and when she took a sip, it almost choked her. “Strong black coffee.”
Jada had figured that much out herself. She laughed to herself. There were some creature comforts she wished she had, but for now—for forty-eight hours—she could make do with this. With any luck, when they returned to the city, David would realize this was a futile endeavor. There was no one out to get her. This death threat was no different than the others. They’re just trying to sell their trashy magazines.
“I hope you know this is the worst cup of coffee I have ever had.”
David laughed. “Just wait, this is one of the better ones I’ve made.”
She hoped he was joking because the coffee was horrible. If David told her it was mud, she’d believe him from the consistency alone. And this is why I drink tea.
“Hopefully that hash will kill the taste in my mouth.”
David scooped a large serving onto a plate and handed it to her. “Guess you’re about to find out.”
Jada looked at the spoon on the plate. She wouldn’t describe it as unclean, just old and tarnished. But this was rustic living, and scanning the cabin, she didn’t see a sink. There was a counter with a basin that she assumed was considered the kitchen.
She looked around the cabin more and had to admit it had an ambiance she couldn’t quite pinpoint. It had some necessities, yet it lacked some very basic things. She could see some form of water heater and a shower that really was a space with a curtain around it. There were lights but not another electronic device . . . or an outlet anywhere.
“Where can I charge my cell phone?” Jada asked.
“You wanted off the grid. Privacy. You don’t need a cell phone out here.”
She might not need one now, but if she did, Jada wanted to make sure it was charged so she could call for help. “Humor me, please. If one wanted to charge a phone where would you suggest they do it?”
David didn’t even look at her as he responded. “Back in the city.”
She rolled her eyes. David sure was enjoying himself. He didn’t need to look at her for Jada to be able to read him. There was no way he was all the way out here without some way of communicating with the rest of the world. He just didn’t want to share how with her. For now, she would do what he asked. Because it suited her needs and not his.
“So how do you entertain yourself up here?” Jada blushed as soon as the words left her lips. She could imagine a few things one might do alone, and she was hoping he was not about to reveal them to her.
He must’ve read her dirty little mind because he smiled and responded, “Nothing.”
That’s sad and boring. “I don’t think we can sit here for two days just looking at each other. At least not without wanting to kill one another.”
David didn’t say anything, but Jada noticed his jaw tense briefly as though what she said had disturbed him. She could let it go, but they had nothing to do except talk, and she knew he was a reserved, taciturn man. So Jada asked.
“What is this cabin used for?” David took her empty plate, walked to the basin, and washed their dishes. She knew he didn’t want to talk about it, but that made her more inquisitive. She walked to the cot, removed her wool blanket, and folded it neatly before placing it on the pillow. Then she joined him and asked again, more softly, “Is this where you come when you want to be alone?”
David turned to her with a sharp look and responded, “If I wanted to talk about myself I would.”
His eyes were dark, and she knew he wasn’t happy that she had pursued the question. However, Jada wasn’t one who backed down. “Funny, if I needed someone to protect me, I would’ve hired that someone myself. But I guess it only matters what you want and not what anyone else wants.”
David looked taken aback by her comment, and she expected to hear something extremely rude, possibly offensive, from him. Surprisingly, he actually answered the first question.
“It’s a place I come to think.”
It wasn’t much to go on but more than what she had a moment ago. “About what?”
His tone was filled with frustration, but she didn’t feel as though it was directed at her. “You do understand what solitude, seclusion, and privacy mean, correct?” Jada nodded, and he continued. “Because asking me what I think about while I’m here is invading each one of those.”
Jada hadn’t thought about it in that light. She was trying to make conversation and get to know him a little better. David made it seem as though he knew everything about her, but she knew nothing about him. Whether or not she wanted it, she was there with him for the next two days. “I know that sometimes thinking is not a good thing. I mean overthinking. If there’s something that’s troubling you, maybe you can try talking to someone about it.”
“Are you trying to tell me you think I need a shrink?”
Jada could respond to that in many ways. First, she had no issue with anyone seeking professional help when they were troubled. And second, she would never say such a thing to anyone. That only proved how little he knew about her. The real her. Not the one the rest of the world knew.
She reached out and touched his forearm. “David, I wasn’t suggesting that you talk to a shrink. But I’m here, and you’re here, so why don’t we use this time for something productive?”
David continued to glare at her, almost to the point that she wished she’d never broached the topic. When he did speak, it wasn’t about himself. “If you’re looking for food, there’s some nuts and snacks in the cupboard on the other side of the fireplace. Do not wander away from the cabin. It’s extremely easy to get lost.” She watched as he turned and headed toward the door.
“Where are you going?” Jada asked anxiously. She wanted privacy, but she sure didn’t want to be left alone on this mountain.
David didn’t turn, but he did reply. “For a walk.”
This was not how she wanted to spend her time away from the paparazzi and the intrusive press. Being trapped in a one-room cabin with a man who apparently didn’t like her made her wish she hadn’t tried talking to him in the first place. Now everything was a hot mess, even more than it was before. Without a cell phone signal, Jada had no way of reaching her agent or her father to let them know what was going on.
I better not piss him off too much, because no one’s going to be looking for me on this mountain. Heck, I don’t even know where I am. It showed her once again how little control she had over the situation.
Although David was upset with her, she couldn’t picture him hurting her. That was the only thing that eased her mind. The man was gorgeous to look at, and the way his muscles rippled while he’d cooked for her had been incredible. But his personality? She’d seen him almost chatty at the show they attended two nights before, but alone with her he barely spoke. It was almost as if he loathed her and was doing this job under duress. I’ve coped with worse places over the years, albeit with electricity. I can cope for a few days here.
David wasn’t upset with her. He was glad he could use that as an excuse to get out of the cabin and touch base with Gabe. He had told Jada their phones didn’t work on the mountain. If she knew his did, she might be tempted to reach out to people she shouldn’t. There was only one person David was willing to rule out as a suspect, and that was Paul Hope. Everything he’d learned about her father said he was an honorable man. David understood why Rafe took this job. It had nothing to do with whether or not Rafe believed Jada was actually in danger, as much as Rafe needed to find the answer for Paul.
Somehow that torch had passed to David, and he couldn’t put it out. He burned with desire to find the truth even more than Rafe had. The difference was, his need to know had nothing to do with Paul and everything to do with Jada. Rafe told him to use his gut, and that’s what David was doing. His gut told him this was not a story Jada made up for attention. In fact, she didn’t seem to crave attention at all. But it was one she refused to take seriously, and that made it more dangerous. And more yet if she had the use of her phone.
When she’d asked to be taken somewhere secluded, it was like getting a gift from heaven. He could not have asked for his job to become any easier. Unfortunately, she only wanted to be there for two days. If he could talk her into staying longer, until he knew everything he needed to find out, then no one would have to worry. But David knew Jada was stubborn and wouldn’t back down. She had given him two days because she had another engagement to attend. This one was in Miami, and from what he’d gathered, there wasn’t much that could stop her from showing up. If I decide to hold her here, then I am the one who’s kidnapping her, and I’d be totally fucked up.
David ran his hand through his hair as he realized he might go that far, if there were no other options. They had walked the line several times on what was legal or not. That would not be walking the line, it would be crossing it, and he might not be able to come back. But if it meant it saved her life, it might be worth it. Babysitting hadn’t been on his resume, but he always completed his assignments with professionalism and a goal of success. Failure wasn’t an option. Failing Paul and Jada Hope wasn’t an option.
He read through the latest information Gabe emailed him. Dennis Peckham had vanished as well. That was unsettling news. But he had confidence Gabe would locate Peckham before Peckham could locate them. David was going to do whatever he needed to do to keep Jada on this mountain. Even if it means talking.
David headed back to the cabin, and he hoped Jada had found something to preoccupy herself. When he entered, he found her lying on the cot reading an adult male magazine. It wasn’t his, and he assumed it wasn’t hers either.
“Well I guess you’re not bored,” David said teasingly.
She didn’t lower the magazine. Instead, she replied, “I’m not looking at the pictures. I’m just reading the articles.”
David almost burst a gut. She was so quick-witted. I wouldn’t want you to be my adversary. The problem was she wasn’t his anything. She looked at him as nothing more than unwanted help. That was okay because anything beyond that might cloud his judgment.
“Maybe I should knock next time.”
Jada rolled up the magazine and threw it at him. He caught it before it made contact. David looked down as he held it up in the air. The centerfold unraveled and he looked it up and down before turning to Jada, saying, “She’s got nothing compared to you.”
Jada’s mouth gaped open, and her cheeks turned beet red. He hadn’t said it to embarrass her; it was meant as a compliment. But David wasn’t a smooth charmer. It hadn’t occurred to him that a woman wouldn’t want to be compared to a centerfold. But Jada was a supermodel; she was used to being compared to everybody. Or maybe she is just used to women comparing themselves to her.
“I’m sorry if I embarrassed—”
Jada shook her head. “Surprised me would be more accurate.”
“Fair enough. I’ll try not to do it again, but no promises. Being an ass comes naturally to me.”
Jada’s expression softened slightly. “Obviously, you don’t get out much, do you?”
David wasn’t sure what she meant. So far he’d attended two of her very public events where the media had snapped his picture with her. How much more out was he supposed to get? He had just spent the last hour listening to Gabe run his mouth about David enjoying the job all too much. David had been pissed off because Gabe wasn’t totally wrong.
“Normally my role is more behind the scenes,” David replied as he tossed the magazine into the hot embers in the fireplace. Whoever it belonged to would have to bring a replacement. This wasn’t a hunting lodge or a vacation spot. It served one purpose only. To give us time alone so we can flush the emotional shit out of our systems. The last thing David wanted to do here was think about a woman. He was struggling with that at the moment because Jada was a woman no man would be able to ignore, never mind forget. No photo in any of those magazines would ever compare to her. She was totally enchanting. She’d be even more beautiful stripped of her makeup. Good. Hide that from the world. From me too. David hated to admit it, but his blood ran hot a few times as he caught sight of her when she wasn’t in model mode. That is a woman I could . . . like.
“And what does that mean exactly?”
He’d almost forgotten what they were talking about. Jada obviously hadn’t been distracted by him. David crossed his arms. “Are we going to start this again?”
Jada sat up and said, “I can always look for another magazine.”
You’re enjoying this, aren’t you? “It means that my brothers and our team members are usually more visible than I am.”
Jada arched a brow and looked him over before asking, “You mean they don’t normally let you out in the field? Are you not qualified? Because that doesn’t make me feel very . . . safe.”
Not qualified? She had no idea what his normal job was, so he could forgive her for being naive. But she was foolish if she didn’t understand how safe she actually was. It wasn’t only here on the mountain either. David would never let anyone hurt her, no matter where they were. Hell the President would want me protecting his ass. He’d never been doubted before this assignment. His normal role was behind-the-scenes where only his team was aware of his presence. He had eyes of a hawk and didn’t miss anything, which allowed his team to do their jobs effectively. Even though he wanted to ignore her remark, it ticked him off. Like a direct hit to the nuts. He looked her over from head to toe before saying coldly, “Trust me, sweetheart, you’re safe.”
He knew he made her uncomfortable, but that wasn’t his intention. He wished he could say he didn’t give a fuck what she thought, but that was a lie. He wasn’t out to impress her or anyone else, but that didn’t mean he’d let her question his qualifications.
“I’m serious, David. If there really was someone out to hurt me, how do I know you could protect me?”
He wasn’t sure if that was a serious question, but he would provide the best answer he could. In doing so, he’d be explaining what this cabin was used for.
“You asked me why I come here?” Jada nodded. David continued, “My job is to protect my team from a distance. I am not going to elaborate on what that means. But what I will tell you is that anyone who fucks with people I care about, or that I’m responsible for, is in for one hell of a shock. When it comes down to them or me, I’m not the one who’s going home in a pine box.”
David didn’t need to go into details about how many men had been in one of those boxes or why. She was an intelligent woman, and he knew she could read between the lines. Because the truth was, he’d lost count. He knew he could pull records and compile information for the best guess on how many kills there’d been. Some people kept track of them. David didn’t. All it would do was validate a reason for him to stay at the cabin and never return to civilization. Lock my ass up and throw away the key. ’Cause, damn, deep inside, I’m fucked up. Just being here reminded him why he’d built this place. For David to choose to deal with his own shit now, Jada would have to get the fuck off that mountain. Once he started to replay all the things he had done in the line of duty, his emotions would run wild. He’d never hurt a woman before and he sure as hell didn’t want Jada to be the first. It’s why he chose to keep it all buried. He’d said enough to her already. She wouldn’t hear anything more about his past. That’s a Pandora’s box I’m not going to open . . . not for her, not for anyone.