Chapter Five
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Jada had an odd feeling she couldn’t describe. She had asked David to leave and give her some space. The she’d tried firing him but none of that worked. She’d finally come to terms with the fact he wasn’t going anywhere. Now he needed to step away for a few hours? What the heck was up with that? Couldn’t he have stepped away before they were out in the boonies? She loved rustic living and could fend for herself. She even knew the difference between poison ivy and poison oak. But she didn’t want to be left alone in the wilderness to fight off a black bear or any other critters.
There was nothing to do there. She’d tried using her cell phone, but there was no signal. Sitting outside the cabin enjoying the sounds of nature was wonderful, but after about an hour, Jada got antsy. Models spent many hours waiting around—makeup, lighting, fittings—but she was normally prepared for those times. Had she known what David meant by secluded location, she’d have asked to stop somewhere to grab a book or something to do before they boarded the helicopter. She used to love reading a good mystery. Growing up, characters in books were like her best friends. It wasn’t because she didn’t have any real friends, but at night when she couldn’t sleep, books were always there to keep her company.
Jada wasn’t sure if she was missing David or yearning for companionship. Even if he isn’t thrilled being with me. Then she remembered a makeshift shower inside the cabin. It wasn’t ideal, but taking a shower while David wasn’t around made the most sense. Since David made it clear he’d be gone for a few hours, she could take her time and actually enjoy a shower.
Once inside, Jada went to her suitcase and dug out a pair of jeans, a turtleneck, and clean underwear. Her suitcase was missing a few important things, like soap, lotion, shampoo, and deodorant. She didn’t bother checking what David might have in the cabin; she’d searched every nook and cranny earlier. Clean mountain living.
She wasn’t planning to be there more than another day, but there was no way she’d show up at her next location without making a pit stop somewhere first. David’s helicopter was top of the line, but there were certain amenities that even the best one’s didn’t have.
She remembered David telling her there was a very limited amount of hot water, so it would be a quick wash no matter what. Once in the shower, she found that hot had been an exaggeration. Lukewarm was generous as well. It was the shortest shower she’d ever taken, but Jada found the water refreshing anyway.
Jada slipped on her panties and bra. She knew the turtleneck would cover most of her discoloration from the burn, but there would still be a small area on the highest part of her neck and the base of her jaw. There had been no avoiding washing away her makeup. This might be out in the middle of nowhere, but she wasn’t ready for anyone, even David, seeing her without the scars covered. David didn’t strike her as someone who’d go to the media with the information, but she wasn’t taking any chances. There has to be something I can do.
Then Jada remembered a very small emergency cover-up stick she’d stashed inside one of her bags. Please be in this one. Jada dug down deep inside the only luggage David allowed her to bring. She was about to give up when she felt a small lipstick-sized item that had to be it. Pulling her hand from the bag she held it up in the air smiling. Finally something goes right. Without the aid of a mirror she did the best she could by memory. Since she’d applied cover-up every day since she was a small tot, she could do it from muscle memory. One I wish my muscles could forget.
When she was finished, Jada tossed the cover stick back into her bag, knowing she might need it again. Now all she needed to do was finish dressing. She was grabbing her shirt when she heard the door open. David had seen her in less, but she hurried to finish dressing.
“What the—?”
Her heart almost stopped.
That voice didn’t belong to David. Pulling her shirt against her chest, she spun around to find a strange man standing in the doorway, holding a duffle bag. She wished she had dressed prior to applying her makeup because she’d feel less vulnerable. So many different scenarios flashed through her mind. Was someone actually stalking her and followed her and David to the mountain? Had he been waiting until David left to make his move? If so, she was in serious trouble. But this guy seemed as surprised to see her as Jada was to have an unexpected visitor. There was no way she was going to let him know she was scared senseless. Mustering all the confidence she could, she used her acting skills and hoped there was no hint of fear on her face or in her eyes.
“Who the heck are you?” Jada snapped, but internally she was shaking like a leaf and thought she would vomit.
The burly man didn’t seem fazed at all by her tone as his eyes roamed over her before he said nonchalantly, “I live here.”
Jada was taken aback by his statement. It was such an odd thing to say because it was so easy to refute. David had clearly stated this was his little getaway. It was clear this guy was a liar, but Jada had no idea what else he might be.
She needed to put as much distance between herself and him as she could. However, this was a one-room cabin, and he was standing in the only exit. She could try climbing out one of the windows, but by the time she got it open, he would be on top of her. Turning her back on him would be a mistake. That much she knew. The only place that had any form of separation had been that makeshift shower curtain. Jada backed as far as she could from him, but that only provided another few feet.
She was cursing herself for telling David she wanted to go someplace secluded, actually getting off the chopper in the first place, and walking up the mountain with him. She had made it this far in her career by using good judgment, yet in the last forty-eight hours she’s lost count of the things she would have done differently. Right now she wished she had asked David to leave her some form of protection. Jada had seen David carrying a weapon that had looked intimidating as hell. She wished she had it there right now. Not that I’d know how to use it.
But she was resourceful and knew a gun was not the only thing she could use to protect herself. Jada quickly scanned the room for anything she could use as a deterrent. The only object of any use was the iron rod David had used to stoke the fire that morning. It was on her far left, and there was no way she’d make it there before he stopped her. If she was fortunate enough to reach it, he looked as though he’d come out on top in plenty of fights in the past. David, where the hell are you? I need you.
Since Jada couldn’t win physically, she hoped to outwit him. “My . . . husband is going to be right back and . . . and if you’re here when he returns he’ll . . . he won’t be happy.” Jada couldn’t believe how shaky her voice was. And calling David her husband? That’s the last thing I need the media to spread. She didn’t think the guy had a clue who she was anyway. He didn’t look like someone who read fashion magazines. And I know what kind of magazines he reads.
Jada was hoping he’d at least stop and think about what she was saying. Maybe consider the fact that her husband was going to return and be irate. Her words had little effect on him. If anything he looked more adamant about staying.
With an arched brow, he said, “Lady, I don’t know who you are, but I sure as hell know you don’t belong here.”
His tone wasn’t aggressive or sarcastic. It was as though he was simply stating a fact. Thankfully he didn’t step any farther into the cabin. He was huge and looked as though he could wrestle a grizzly bear and win. But there was something in his eyes, his demeanor, that suggested he wasn’t out to hurt or scare her. I can’t help but be scared. David’s got me thinking there could be someone after me. Thanks, David, for making me paranoid.
She didn’t feel as though this man was the one David had been concerned about. That eased her mind slightly, but she didn’t want some strange man in the cabin with her, especially with her current lack of clothing. And he didn’t appear to be in any rush to leave. Without David there to intervene Jada only had one choice, to vacate the cabin herself. She wasn’t sure where she was going to go or if she could find her way back down the mountain to the clearing where the helicopter had dropped them off. And I sure as heck cannot lug that suitcase along with me. “I’ll . . . leave if you go outside and give me a few minutes to . . . gather my things.”
The man shook his head and crossed his arms. “Ma’am, if you think I’m going to let you walk out of here all by yourself, you’re plum crazy.”
This entire situation was abnormal, but when she leaned over to grab her jeans she found they were no longer alone. David’s voice boomed from behind the stranger. “What the fuck are you doing here?”
Jada watched as the man turned around and confronted David. She braced herself for the confrontation because Jada had no doubt David would do whatever he had to in order to protect her. David might not be as big as you but he sure as hell is not someone to mess with.
The man moved over slightly, and Jada could see the exchange between the two as he spoke to David. His entire demeanor had relaxed, which was opposite of what she had prepared herself for. “Son of a bitch. You’re her husband?” His tone was filled with disbelief. “When the hell were you going to tell us you got married?”
Jada was shocked. Was it possible he knew David? And if so, how? Surely they were not brothers; not only didn’t they look anything alike, but everything else about them was as different as night and day. David was so clean-cut, and this guy probably hadn’t shaved in years.
David, on the other hand, didn’t appear to be so welcoming. David glanced in her direction briefly, and Jada could see his eyes were dark and filled with anger. When he returned his attention to their visitor, David growled out, “What are you doing here, Bill, and why the hell doesn’t Jada have any clothes on?”
Bill didn’t look back in her direction. Instead, he raised both hands in the air and said apologetically, “Purely innocent. Didn’t know anyone was here when I walked in.”
“And yet you’re still standing here,” David said, glaring at him.
In all the uproar, Jada almost forgot she was half naked. She spun around so her back was to Bill while she quickly slipped on her shirt and jeans. While doing so, she struggled to understand why David had sounded like a jealous boyfriend. Was it an act in order to keep Bill at a distance? Was David playing along with Jada’s story that they were married? Nothing surprised her any longer. At least, nothing regarding David.
Bill heeded David’s warning and joined David on the other side of the threshold. He hadn’t closed the door, so she strained to hear everything they were saying.
David said in a softer tone, “I wouldn’t have brought her here if I knew you were coming.”
She heard Bill reply, “Don’t tell me this is where you took her for your honeymoon.”
Jada could die laughing because Bill sounded so darned serious. But deep inside she knew none of this was a laughing matter. She wasn’t sure what the relationship was between Bill and David; it was one thing to lie to a stranger but another to drag David into the lies. She was tempted to go outside and set things straight. It was the right thing to do. But she would probably only to make things worse. Besides, David was very capable of setting things straight on his own. That didn’t mean she was going to stop eavesdropping on their conversation. They’re talking about me. I have the right to know what they say. Which really was a sad way to look at it, because she was the reason that conversation was even taking place.
As quietly as she could, she walked a tad closer to the open door. Jada didn’t want to be obvious because it wasn’t the most mature thing to do. But drastic times called for drastic measures, and this was her life they were discussing. So she listened in on the conversation.
“She’s not into all that fancy stuff,” David said.
Jada almost choked on that because she was used to being pampered. She enjoyed nature and loved visiting with her father, but this place was just a step over staying in a tent. Literally, the place had an outhouse. She’d heard of them but never had she envisioned using one. Never peed so fast in my life.
“Really? I must be losing my touch, because I would have pegged her for one of those snooty women like your brother Josh likes.”
She couldn’t hear David’s response. There was only a grumbling sound, which she assumed was him.
“When did you two get hitched?” Bill inquired.
The guy was really falling for it. She had no idea why David was going along with this. If Jada had known David and Bill knew each other, she’d never have said such a thing. It was meant to deter a potential attacker. If she’d been anyplace other than miles away from another living soul, she’d probably have said something else. Like get out, or I’ll call the police.
“When did you start asking so many questions?” David asked.
“Dammit, Turchetta, you should’ve told me—us—because we’d have given you your privacy. I knew you weren’t a romantic dude. But really you should’ve taken her someplace better than this. Hell, that cot ain’t meant for good lovin’, if you know what I mean.”
“I don’t need your advice, Bill.”
“You need something. What the hell is wrong with you leaving a woman who looks like that alone up here?”
That same thought had run through Jada’s mind a few times since Bill’s sudden appearance. She really wanted to hear David’s explanation.
“You know damn well, Bill, people don’t just come by here. Besides I wasn’t that far. Just needed to make a couple calls.”
Where I couldn’t hear them? Should it surprise Jada that David’s phone worked here and hers didn’t? It would’ve shocked her more if it hadn’t. There was nothing standard issue about David, and he seemed to have access to things no one else did. But no matter his excuse, she hated that David was totally keeping her out of the loop. He was here to protect her, so she had a right to know what was going on. I think he’s forgotten who he works for.
“That sounds like the Turchetta I know. A man who can’t stop long enough to enjoy time alone with his wife. But damn, that woman is fine. I have no idea what she’s doing with someone like you,” she heard Bill say before letting out a deep belly laugh.
That was it. Jada couldn’t go along with this any longer, even if David could. It wasn’t like this was a tabloid that meant nothing. Bill apparently was a friend of some sort, and although he wasn’t quite so tactful with his advice, he genuinely seemed to care.
“That’s what I’m paid for.”
“Paid?”
“We are not married. I brought Jada here for her own safety. Some piece of shit threatened her life. My job is to ensure nothing happens to her.”
“Shit, Turchetta, maybe I should’ve accepted that job offer from Rafe. I had no idea of the sweet perks that came along with it. Now I don’t feel so bad about taking a peek or two. Hell, if you need some help, I’d be more than happy to offer my services.”
Jada was starting to put the pieces together. Whoever Bill was, they must be in the same line of work. Bill didn’t look like he worked in security but then again, Jada didn’t know David’s history either. The only thing she knew was her father had sent him to protect her, and he would’ve done thorough background checks before doing so.
“Don’t make me knock you on your ass,” David said in a tone that didn’t sound like he was joking. “My team is on assignment with Rafe. You want some work, I could use someone here to cover my six.”
Bill chuckled. “Can I cover hers?” Jada didn’t know what David’s reaction was, but judging by Bill’s next statement it must’ve been negative. “Okay. Okay. Just tell me what you need.”
David’s voice got a little bit louder as he said, “Jada, we’re taking a walk now so you can stop straining your ears to hear us.”
Jada blushed. She thought she was so stealthy, but obviously, David didn’t miss a trick. That was frustrating, but it made her regret her comment about not feeling safe. No wonder he was so terse before. She shut the door without responding to his sarcastic remark. She had questions for him and Bill when they returned. Right now, she needed to shake off her built-up tension. She was relieved Bill wasn’t an enemy, but David was asking for backup, so possibly there was an enemy out there. One he believed to be real.
David needed to chill out. Bill was just being his laid-back, joking self. Normally that would be refreshing since he suffered from PTSD. Usually when any of them came to the mountain it was a sign they were about to snap. The cabin gave them a time and place to regroup and fight the demons privately instead of taking it out on the ones closest to them.
“Talk to me, Bill, what’s going on?”
Bill shrugged his shoulders. “Just got word that a buddy of mine was killed overseas.”
Bill had been forced into retirement after suffering a heart attack a few years back. As a Navy SEAL, he’d been required to be in peak condition. It had been a major blow when they said he couldn’t stay any longer. David tried recruiting him to join Turchetta’s Promise, but Bill had said he wasn’t ready back then. Something seemed to have changed. Although Bill joked that it was Jada, David knew Bill would never step forward unless he was serious. Maybe a mission is just what you need.
“I have a few rules if you’re coming on board.”
“Yeah, I know. Hands off is number one. What’s number two?” Bill asked.
“A haircut and shave. You look like Grizzly Adams. I need you clean-cut and ready to go.”
Bill arched a brow. “Go where? I thought you were hanging on the mountain.”
“You really have no idea who this woman is, do you?” Bill shook his head. Damn, you must live under a rock. “Top supermodel of the world.”
“Damn. Is this what I’ve been missing?”
David knew Bill was only joking because they had been in close contact. When shit went down in Tabiq and then again in Moreira, Bill had referred some of his former SEAL buddies to lend a hand. He had hoped Bill could have been there with them, because they could have utilized his expertise. David understood Bill needed time to regroup and regain both his mental and physical strength. No one needed a doctor to tell them whether or not they were combat ready. It was something only they knew themselves. David was damn glad to see Bill was ready for action again.
“I’m pretty sure you’ve scared the crap out of her.”
“That woman is not afraid of me. I think she’s more afraid of you,” Bill shot back.
David remembered the look on her face. It wasn’t one of relief. He hoped Bill wasn’t right, but he could utilize this to his benefit. If Jada was afraid of him, maybe she’d be more willing to do things the way he said, instead of fighting him every step of the way. He was going to have to return to that cabin and deliver news that was not going to make her happy. Of course, nothing I say seems to.
“I have to admit you don’t look badass at all right now,” David said as he pulled his SAT phone out of his pocket. “But you sure as hell look scarier than this weasel.” He showed him a picture of Dennis Peckham.
Bill took the phone from David and appeared to be memorizing the photo before handing it back. “Are you trying to tell me that scrawny SOB is the problem? I think that woman could whip his ass.”
“I’m not planning on letting him have a chance to get that close to her.” Again. “He likes to put his hands on ladies. We haven’t been able to determine if he is the one behind the death threat, but either way, I don’t want this asshole even saying her name, never mind looking or touching her again.”
Bill nodded. “Would you like me to have him take a little . . . vacation?”
David would like to see him removed off the face of the earth but he didn’t want anyone asking questions about Peckham’s sudden disappearance. If he wasn’t behind what was going on with Jada, then David would be forced to leave Peckham for law enforcement to deal with. But whatever they uncovered, there was a document to ensure this asshole wouldn’t be hurting anyone else in the future.
“No, we just need to know everything about him. It sucks, but Jada has to be in Miami by tomorrow night. Right now only Gabe is my eyes and ears. Something tells me I need more than only him.” Usually, they knew who the enemy was, which made containing the threat easier. But Jada insisted she was going to continue with her current itinerary. David would have an easier time protecting the president of the United States then he would protecting her.
“You want me to bring in a few of the guys?”
David knew Bill shared an apartment with several other veterans from different branches of the service. He’d never met them personally and didn’t need to. If Bill recommended them, trusted them, that was good enough for David. “The chopper will be here in a few hours. I can’t make a stop with Jada with me at the warehouse. There are certain things no one can know about. I’ll have Gabe get in contact with you so you can retrieve everything you and the team will require.”
“And what are you going to tell your wifey?” Bill teased.
David shot him a warning look, but he knew Bill didn’t give a shit. Humor was Bill’s coping mechanism. “The truth.” He wasn’t sure how receptive she would be, but it wasn’t going to change his actions.
“Good luck with that. You might be the best sniper I’ve ever had the pleasure to work with, but when it comes to women, you suck,” Bill said as he turned from David and headed down the path leading off the mountain.
Somewhere in there was a compliment. Since impressing Jada was not on David’s list, it didn’t matter what she or anyone else thought. My job is to ensure she lives. No one said how I have to do it.
David had to face Jada, who he assumed was wracking her brain trying to guess what little secrets he was keeping from her. When he arrived back at the cabin, he found her standing outside pacing. Called it.
“Where have you been? I thought you’re supposed to be here protecting me. This is the second time today you took off, and I had no idea—”
“I promised nothing would happen to you. If I thought for a moment you were at risk, I would’ve told you.” David hated being questioned on whether or not he was doing his job properly.
Jada looked at him with her arms crossed and her foot tapping as she asked, “Are you telling me there’s no risk? That you will finally go away and leave me the hell alone? Because nothing would make me happier right now.”
Nope. Just the opposite. “No. I’m actually going to answer whatever questions you have.”
He could tell by her expression she didn’t know what that meant. He would answer her questions, but that didn’t mean he would divulge everything.
After a moment Jada said, “Tell me about your friend. Why did he think this was his place?”
David had anticipated her asking about the death threat. Had they located the bastard? Never did he think she was going to ask about Bill. It was as though she was still unwilling to accept the fact her life might very well be in danger. What is it going to take to make you open your eyes and see life is not all roses? Some people learned the lesson the hard way. David didn’t want Jada to be one of them.
Did she need a little bit of scaring? David could do that. He knew Bill would not appreciate being utilized in such a manner, and hopefully, he would never find out. “In a sense, it is.”
“You mean you lied.”
He’d lied so much in the line of duty that it was nothing new to be accused of such things. Hearing it from Jada felt more like a slap in the face. There was no doubt David had earned a slap, heck a punch or two, since meeting Jada. But this was the one thing he had not misled her on.
“No. I own the cabin.” And most of this mountain. “How it is utilized is what I didn’t mention.”
“Like making moonshine?”
Jada appeared to be serious when she said it. She was adorably naïve in some ways. David wished he could tell her it was something as simple as that, but it wasn’t. If anything happened, Jada was going to need to realize she could count on Bill as his backup.
“No illegal activity happening here. It’s a place we come when we need to get away from civilization. Not just me and Bill either. There are a lot of veterans who need to separate themselves and reflect, regroup, and for a few of us this is where we choose to come.” David didn’t need to go into any detail as to why. He was sure Jada understood what he meant.
Jada’s eyes softened in a way he had never seen before. “You too? I mean you come here for the same reason as Bill?”
David didn’t want this conversation to turn back to him, but he was the one who opened this line of questioning. “I am one of those veterans.” It was all he could tell her and all he was prepared to say. He never discussed it with his brothers who had also served their country in one form or another.
David was at the cabin a few weeks ago. It had been after a family gathering at Rafe’s house on the beach. It was a happy time. They laughed, they drank, and they joked about the good old days. No one would have thought a joyous occasion could trigger such a reaction, but somehow it did. He’d lost comrades and a sister, and David couldn’t find comfort in being happy. Every textbook explained it perfectly—survivor’s guilt. David didn’t give a fuck what it was called. It didn’t need a name. It was something he wouldn’t speak about, not even to those closest to him. And he knew each and every one of them was dealing with it in their own way.
David watched Jada’s eyes glisten, and he was not going to let her feel sorry for him, sorry for any of them. They’d proudly served their country and didn’t want anyone’s pity. All they wanted was respect. And sometimes a little understanding.
“I hope you spent this time packing because the chopper will be arriving soon.”
She looked puzzled and asked, “I thought we weren’t leaving until tomorrow.”
“That had been the plan, but things changed. There’s been another letter. I want to make sure we get there before the anticipated arrival time. Your schedule is too available to the public. We need to change it up.”
“There’s a reason why it’s public knowledge. It’s how my fans are able to find me. My manager intentionally makes sure they know where and when I will be someplace.”
Then your manager’s an idiot. David didn’t need to speak to the jerk. The guy was getting a cut of everything Jada made. He needed her to be as visible as possible so he could continue getting a big fat check, even if it meant her life was in jeopardy. There was no way he would cooperate and cancel any of those events. It would be up to Jada to put a stop to it.
“You’ll be where you need to be. How you’ll get there, I will let you know. From now on your itinerary is being handled by my team and me.” David could see the fire in her eyes as he was taking away her control. She could hate him for all he cared. This was not a popularity contest. It very well could be life or death. And now he was asking more men to step up to ensure her safety. They would do so even if it meant their own lives were on the line. That was a weight he carried on his shoulders, and he didn’t take it lightly. “It’s one thing if you want to risk your life, but I refuse to let you risk the lives of others. And by not cooperating that is exactly what you’re doing. For all you know the next target could be your father.”
Jade’s mouth gaped opened in shock as though she had never thought this could go beyond her. “You don’t mean—?”
“Yes, I do. If someone wants you and they cannot get you, they will go after someone you love. From what I’ve learned, there’s only one person who means anything to you. And that is your father.” It was hard because she was so popular, and the world loved and adored her, but David could tell she lived a very solitary life. She had no real friends, only people who wanted to be around her because of who they thought she was. He might not know everything about her, but someone would have to be an idiot to believe Jada was how the media portrayed her. He couldn’t believe these were his thoughts when just days ago he was the one trying to convince Rafe she was a shallow drama queen. Guess I’m an idiot. It was his first mistake with her, and he hoped it would be his last. Another place. Another time. Maybe I’d want to get to know who you really are, Miss Jada Hope.
Jada’s shoulders sagged as though she had given up her fight. She turned and headed into the cabin saying, “Just tell me where to be.”
David wished he could comfort her and tell her it wasn’t as bad as she thought. But it very well could be. And until he knew for sure, he’d rather see her sad, brokenhearted, and miserable as hell, than six-feet under.
While Jada finished gathering her things, David reached out to Gabe and Bill to make sure they were all in sync with their next action. David wasn’t about to tell Jada they were going to leak a little bit of information in Peckham’s direction to see if he would fall into the trap. Risky? Yes. But time was of the essence, and waiting for someone to make a move, and not knowing who that someone was, was the greater risk. At least this is a controlled situation. One I control.