Chapter 15

The smaller of the two men, let’s call him Frank, rapped on Joe’s door. As they waited for a response, the larger man gave her arm a rough tug. “Remember the rules. Keep your trap shut, and do whatever he says.”

The door swung open, and Joe greeted them with a grin. “Ah, my kitten has finally arrived,” he said, rubbing his hands together in anticipation before stepping aside to let them in.

He studied her, lifting her chin with his hand. “You’re even prettier in person. We’re going to have a lot of fun together.”

He noticed the angry red mark circling her neck and knew Kyle would lose it if he saw it.

“Sign here,” Frank instructed, handing Joe a form. “If she gives you any trouble, just give us a call. We’ll come back and straighten her out.”

Joe chuckled. “No need for that. I know how to handle these types,” he said, resting his hand on his belt to make his point clear.

Once the men had left and the door was securely shut, he turned to her. “Kiera, I’m so sorry. I hope you know that everything I said was just for show. Come sit down. Can I get you something to drink?”

She shook her head and took a seat on the sofa.

“Just relax. Kyle wanted me to call him as soon as you got here.”

He dialed Kyle’s number and began to speak. “Calm down, man. She just got here, and she’s fine. Yeah. Hang on,” he said, handing her the phone. “He wants to talk to you.”

“Kyle,” she said, accepting the phone. It had only been a little over an hour, but she missed him already.

“I miss you so much. No, I’m okay, but why does it have to take so long for you to come get me?”

She listened to him talk for a few minutes. “I love you too,” she said before returning the phone to Joe.

After a brief conversation with Kyle, he hung up and sat across from her. “We’re going to be here for a few hours. Are you hungry? I could heat up some leftovers or order takeout.”

“I’m not hungry,” she replied, her gaze wandering around the apartment.

“Kiera, when I first found out that he called that site, and you showed up, I had the worst thoughts about you. But after getting to know you and seeing how Kyle feels about you, I realize how wrong I was.

“I’m sorry for what you’ve been through, but he will help you. He’s head over heels for you. He’s never felt this way before.”

She looked at him, her eyes raw from crying.

“He’s the kindest man I’ve ever met, and when I’m with him I feel so safe. I never believed in love until I met him, but now I’m hopelessly in love with him.”

“I can see that. Now, how about a drink? I have beer and wine. Which do you prefer?”

“I wouldn’t mind a beer,” she replied. He was being so kind to her, and she was beginning to relax a bit.

He left the room and returned with two beers, one poured into a glass for her.

“So, what should we do? We could play cards, watch TV, or just chat.”

He found himself liking her. She was so sweet. He could see how Kyle had fallen for her so quickly.

“Let’s chat. Tell me how you two met.”

“Kyle and I go way back, since high school, and we’ve been friends ever since. I was the nerd, but he was the popular one.

“He played football and had lots of girlfriends, but he was a good guy, nice to everyone. We went to college together and shared a dorm room.

“I even had a crush on Judy at one time, but he was so protective of her and told me to stay away from her.”

“If you liked her, he really had no right to tell you that.”

“In a way he did. I was kind of a player once we went to college. Making up for my high school years. Anyway, she met Roy, and they fell deeply in love, so it all worked out.”

“Is there no one in your life now?” she asked. She was curious about the man Kyle seemed to trust.

“I haven’t found the right one yet, but I’m still hoping. If Kyle can find love, then there’s hope for me. Hey, you want some pizza?”

She smiled, feeling more at ease with him, and the thought of pizza sounded good. “I could eat some.”

He ordered the pizza, and while they waited, he got them another beer and they continued their conversation.

He told her more about himself and some of the antics he and Kyle had gotten into over the years. The pizza arrived, and after eating they turned on the TV.

“I’m sorry you have to stay and babysit me. I’m sure you’d rather be out with a woman and having some fun,” she said, yawning.

Though she felt bad about him having to give up his night to stay with her, she was still glad that she wasn’t alone.

“I had no plans for tonight. Besides, I’m enjoying your company. You’re tired,” he said when he saw her yawn. “If you like, you can go lay down on my bed and get some sleep before Kyle picks you up.”

He could see she was having trouble keeping her eyes open.

“I’m all right. I don’t want to take your bed. I’ll just lay my head down here. You really don’t have to stay with me. You can go to bed.”

“Don’t be silly. I have to wait up for Kyle. Come with me, and I’ll show you where the bedroom is,” he said, waiting for her to follow him.

“You should be comfortable in here. And don’t worry. As soon as Kyle gets here, I’ll wake you.”

“Thank you. Maybe I will rest for a little while.” When he left, she lay down. She felt drained, and it wasn’t long before she drifted off to sleep.

Joe was just drifting off to sleep when the knock came. He got up, opened the door, and found Kyle standing there in jeans and a hoodie.

“Nice outfit,” he teased, then noticed the extra hoodie in Kyle’s hand.

“I didn’t want to be recognized. Where’s Kiera?” Kyle asked, stepping inside and scanning the room.

“She’s in my bed.”

Kyle whipped around to face Joe, his eyebrows furrowing and nostrils flaring. “You bastard. What did you do to her?” he demanded, grabbing Joe by the collar.

“Whoa, man, I didn’t touch her,” Joe said, prying Kyle’s hands off him.

“Chill out. She was tired, so I told her to sleep in my bed. You know I wouldn’t make a move on your girl.”

“Joe, I’m sorry. I’ve been a mess since she left.”

“She’s asleep right now, so let’s have a drink before you wake her.” Joe walked over to his minibar, grabbed a bottle of whiskey, and poured two shots.

“How was she when those guys brought her here? Did they hurt her?”

“Well, the big, ugly one had a pretty tight hold on her arm. And she had a mark on her neck, but it’s gone now. She looked scared as hell.

“We had a good talk, and I can see why you fell for her. She’s really sweet.”

“I didn’t plan on falling in love. It just happened,” Kyle said, downing his drink.

Hearing voices from the other room, Kiera sat up, rubbing her eyes that were still sore from crying.

She recognized Kyle’s voice, so she jumped out of bed and rushed out of the room. Seeing him, she called out his name.

When he turned to her, she ran into his arms, letting him lift her up and hold her tight.

“God, baby, I’ve been so worried about you.” He set her down, and holding her face in his hands, he kissed her. It was a deep, passionate kiss. He didn’t care that they weren’t alone.

“Let’s get you home,” he said when he finally pulled away. “Put this on,” he said, handing her the hoodie.

“Kyle, once you get back to your place, it might not be safe to be seen with her, in case they’re watching,” Joe said, watching the two of them.

“Shit, I didn’t think of that.” He looked at Kiera, his hands on her shoulders. “He’s right. We can’t be seen together. It might be best if you stay here, and I can visit you.”

“What? No way,” she protested.

“Kiera, if you come with me, you’ll have to stay hidden in my suite. You won’t be able to go to the pool, the restaurants, or shopping.”

“I don’t care. I’m staying with you,” she insisted. She buried her face in his chest, starting to sniffle.

“You’ll be bored out of your mind,” he said, stroking her hair.

“I won’t be bored. I’ll clean, cook, watch TV, read. I’ll keep busy. Just let me go home with you.”

She looked up at him. “I was chained to a wall in a cold, damp cell. I can handle staying in a luxury hotel suite.”

“Okay,” he conceded. Before leaving, he turned to Joe. “Try to keep a low profile, in case they’re watching you.”

“And they might call you in a few days to check in. If they ask to talk to her, make up an excuse why she can’t come to the phone.”

“Kyle, I’ve got this. Don’t worry,” Joe said, walking them to the door.

When she put on the hoodie, he pulled the hood up over her head. As soon as the elevator doors closed, he pulled her into his arms and kissed her.

He couldn’t wait to get her home. She would be safer there than out in the open. He breathed a sigh of relief when they left the building and got into his car without anyone noticing.

She moved closer to him as he drove, and she liked when he put his arm around her shoulders.

“Joe said you had a mark on your neck. Did one of them do that to you?”

Resting her head on his shoulder, she started to tell him what had happened.

“One of them grabbed my throat and took the money out of my bra. They searched my luggage, and the smaller one said they should take turns with me before delivering me to Joe.

“I was terrified. I thought they were really going to do it.

“The other one said they didn’t have time but said when the month was up they would have some fun with me before taking me back to the agency.”

He felt a surge of rage. The thought of how those men had treated her and what they had planned… He hoped that someday he’d get the chance to beat the shit out of them.

“They’re not going to get near you again, I promise.”

When they got back to his place without being seen, they went to the bedroom. They undressed and got into bed. Even though it was late, they both wanted—needed—each other.

Their kisses grew more passionate as he climbed on top of her and entered her, finding her already wet.

“Kyle, shouldn’t we use protection?”

“You’re still on the pill, right?” he asked, pausing to look at her.

He knew she had used protection with her ex, and he always used condoms, so he knew they were both clean.

“Yes,” she answered.

He touched her face gently. “I know when we had unprotected sex in Italy I had you take the morning-after pill, but things are different between us now.

“I had you bring them along just as an extra precaution, but I don’t think we need the condoms anymore. However, if you’d prefer I use one, I will.”

She savored the sensation of his bare cock inside her. It was firm, yet soft like velvet. Recalling the intimacy of their previous encounter, she traced her fingers along his lips.

“No, I don’t want you to use one. It feels so much better without.”

His smile widened as he began to move, delving deep and observing her reactions as he quickened his pace, relishing in the melody of her moans. Their foreplay might have been brief, but their lovemaking was gentle and filled with affection.