CHAPTER THREE - KAILEY
I looked up at the officer’s muscular arms as he tossed my bag into the back of the car and shut my door. At that point I was scared of everything, including my own shadow. I didn’t handle fear very well, and though I really just wanted to go home, I was glad they were putting me somewhere safe. My birthday had not gone as planned. I missed my party, and now I was possibly being hunted by some whack job who shot a woman in the head. It wasn’t exactly how I wanted to ring in twenty-eight.
“My name is Officer Lane, but you can call me Logan. I know this is all a lot to take in, but I want you to know you’re in good hands. I’ll be staying at the house with you, and there will be several officers coming and going on their rounds.”
As Logan talked, I couldn’t help but notice how attractive he was. His dark hair and blue eyes were striking. His body showed that he worked out on a regular basis, as his muscles were huge and alluring.
“The house is about an hour outside of the city, and it’s important that you understand you cannot contact anyone while under our protection. Not only could you put your life in danger, but you could endanger the lives of anyone you tried to contact.”
I hated the idea of not having my phone, but I nodded my understanding, looking down at Logan’s strong legs. His pants were tight around his thighs and crotch. It could have been worse. If I was going to be stuck in some strange place, it helped that someone as sexy as Logan would be there. I glanced at him as he stopped to turn on to the street. His eyes shifted toward me, running from my legs to my breasts. Heat ran through my body and settled in my cheeks, burning red on my face. I looked out the window so he wouldn’t realize I caught him checking me out, but a small smirk spread across my lips.
As we drove, I glanced in the rearview mirror, watching as the car behind us followed slowly. I grasped the armrest and felt Logan look over at me. My nerves were on edge, and I couldn’t help but think that whoever was following us was trying to kill me. Logan looked up in his rearview mirror and patted my hand with a comforting smile.
“It’s one of ours. They’ll be stationed at the end of the driveway,” he said calmly. “Relax, I’m going to take care of you.”
I don’t know why, but the idea of this man taking care of me was arousing. I was the girl who usually ran the show, but after having a whiny and incompetent boyfriend, it was hot having a man take charge. His hand lingered on mine for a few moments before he put it back on the steering wheel. If he could have felt my heart beating, he would have thought I was about to have a nervous breakdown. In reality, the warm touch of his strong, rough hands was enough to get me going.
We left the city and pulled on to the highway, going fast but not excessively so. The trees flew by as I stared out the window, trying to keep my mind off what I had seen in that alley. They tried to make me comfortable at the precinct, but every time I closed my eyes I could see that woman’s brains splattering all over the wall behind her. The killer’s face was so clear in my mind. I could tell you every wrinkle, blemish, and freckle he had. Though that was good for the cops, it was terrible for me. I had a feeling this was going to haunt my dreams for a long time.
After about forty minutes on the highway, Logan took an exit that said New Boston and turned left, driving down a long, winding two-lane road. Most of the area was wooded, with a peppering of small houses, all separated by several miles of trees. The area itself felt creepy, like something out of a psycho killer movie. I rubbed my arms as goose bumps erupted all over me. The sick feeling in my stomach came back with a vengeance. Logan looked over at me and reached for the air-conditioning dial.
“I’m okay,” I said, stopping his hand. “I just want to get some comfortable clothes on and try to relax, that’s all.”
“Well, you’re in luck. We’re here.”
I looked out of the window as the car slowed and turned right on to a gravel driveway. The car behind us stopped at the end and parked, starting their watch. The driveway was about a half-mile long and surrounded by woods on either side.
As we came to the clearing, the sun hit my eyes, and I looked up at a large white house with red doors and shutters. The windows were slightly tinted, but I could see the bars on the other side. Logan pulled up as close to the front door as he could and parked, getting out and coming around to my side.
As I stood up and took my bag from him, smiling kindly, I noticed there were cameras all over the place. They were not only pointed at every single entrance point, but out into the yard and woods as well. Though it should have made me feel better, my heart began to race. I followed Logan up to the front door. He punched in a code and walked inside. The house was nice, with wood floors and comfortable-looking furniture. It almost reminded me of a country style bed and breakfast.
Logan showed me to my room and pointed to the bathroom, leaving me alone to take care of myself. As I stood under the hot steaming water of the shower, I could feel the stress of the night before. I pressed my hands against the shower walls, letting the waves of heat wash over my body. When I was done, I changed into some yoga pants and a tank top before I went back to the living area. Logan was standing next to a counter, looking down at a computer. He looked up from his laptop and smiled, sending chills down my spine.
“The house has everything you will need,” he pointed out. “There is a fully stocked kitchen and enough movies to last you a year.”
“Hopefully I won’t be here for a year,” I replied.
I wandered into the kitchen and looked through the cabinets. There was a ton of junk food, but nothing really healthy. I opened the fridge and smiled. It was full of vegetables and fruit. I pulled an apple from the drawer and grabbed a glass of water before walking back to the living room. I stepped in front of the movies, running my fingers down their spines. There were definitely a lot of them, but they all seemed to be from the early 2000s. There were some from all genres, and I decided to skip anything to do with murder or terror. I felt I had enough of that lately. I decided to go for something a bit happier.
As I stood in front of the big screen television, I looked over at Logan still standing at the table, looking down at his laptop. He had changed his clothes and in place of the tightly fitting uniform, he was wearing a pair of sweatpants, a snug t-shirt, and a new pair of running shoes. His muscles tightened as he rolled his shoulders, showing a serious amount of tension. My mouth watered as I thought about how much I would like to ease that tension.
“Do you want to watch a movie with me?”
“Oh, uh, I really can’t. I have to make sure I’m alert at all times,” he responded.
“You can be alert on the couch,” I said, plopping down and patting the seat next to me.
“Thanks, but I’m good,” he reiterated.”
“Fine, have it your way,” I sighed, throwing him a sexy smile. I could see his muscles tense and his jaw clench as I stretched my arms up high, revealing my tight stomach and belly button ring.
It was going to be a long, lonely time in this house if he wasn’t willing to hang out with me. But at least I knew I could torture him a little. That’s where I would have my fun.