Page 36

K age

Trust.

How many times had I suggested Juliette could place her trust in me? Enough that I almost believed it myself. Maybe a small part of me wanted her to feel relaxed around me. Or maybe I was tired of the tension between us. Around her I either wanted to fuck her brains out or turn her over my knee.

Neither method had done a lot of good. She’d mentioned her desire to ride a horse. I owned one.

Here we were.

Only in my attempt to appease her to some point, we’d found an incredible spot on my uncle’s land I hadn’t known existed.

I’d spent some time researching her without her knowledge, even finding a couple of her social media accounts.

Not that I would admit to discovering them or enjoying the adventure of learning more about her. She was definitely not like her father.

What she’d photographed over the year was amazing, her creativity in the use of light incredible. Not that I’d tell her that. She’d likely never allow me to live it down.

But seeing the world through her eyes was a deep reminder that there were beautiful things in the world. I’d been forced to see the worst in humanity, so much so my world had fallen into shades of gray when black and white hadn’t been available.

Not the best way for anyone to live.

As soon as I jumped off Sadie, I took a deep breath. It was impossible not to given the incredible scenery.

“This is like out of a movie,” she said from her perch on Sadie’s back.

I took a step closer to the bank of the crystal-clear lake, noticing a few fish. As I lifted my gaze from the green grass surrounding the edge to the bank of mature trees and finally tipped my head toward the sky where there was a perfect view of the mountain range, I felt a sense of peace.

Maybe this was what Henry had been talking about.

A man might be able to find himself out here.

“Don’t forget about me,” Juliette called from behind.

I smiled, which I’d been doing far too frequently lately. “How could I ever forget about you?”

“Then why don’t you get me down?”

“Maybe I’ll keep you right there. A man needs peace.”

“Did anyone ever tell you that you’re an asshole?” She laughed, the lilting sound sending chills through me.

“You certainly have.” When I turned around to honor her request, she purposely snapped a few photographs. Her smile was even wider than before.

Now all it did was create another burning wave of longing.

“I know,” she said. “No social media. I remember.”

“Good because your next lesson would be a painful one.” I’d avoided calling Gray. He hadn’t provided me with any information either, but the nagging continued in the back of my mind.

There were too many loose ends for my comfort. I’d relied on my instinct from day one of boot camp, including on how to remain in the shadows. Something burned in the back of my mind and it was all about the girl’s father.

It was a discussion in which Juliette needed to be included, yet one I knew would only explode into another argument. That wouldn’t do either one of us any good.

I took my time returning to her, which awarded me a saucy look and a flick of her long hair. When I reached up, she acted as if she wasn’t going to allow me to help her.

“Fine, sunshine. Have it your way.”

“Bastard.” She half jumped into my arms, the force catching us both off guard. “Oomph.” Pitched against me, her eyes flew wide open. “Thanks for catching me.”

“You should be more careful.” I kept my arm wrapped around her back, pressing her tightly against me.

Just like in the bathroom, a part of me didn’t want to let her go.

She acted as if she wouldn’t mind. I’d pull her even closer, but her camera was in the way. So I backed off, rubbing my hands on my jeans.

After adjusting her camera, she took a step away, her face lighting up as she walked toward the lake. “Come on, Sadie. I think you can get some water.”

Just like Tank, the horse dutifully followed her, taking long gaits toward the water. The scene as she rubbed Sadie’s neck while the horse drank was touching.

Far too much so.

I turned my head, wondering if this plot of land had been a special place for my uncle. Maybe so, although I had no idea what I would do with it or if I’d bother returning. The whole setting was too peaceful, too…

Just not me.

Juliette began taking pictures, snapping one photograph after the other.

“I thought you took pictures of places. People. Food.”

She tipped her head in my direction. “Have you been checking up on me?”

“Just remembering what you said.”

“That’s true, but my favorite part about seeing different parts of the world is nature.

Flowers native to the area, tropical or deciduous trees.

Butterflies. Animals I hadn’t seen before.

There are some cities in the world where wild animals freely walk the streets and no one cares.

The animals are seen as just part of the landscape and the community.

You’d be surprised. The beauty is all around us if we’d all stop just for a moment and look around us. ”

“Like this place.”

“Exactly like here, right. Look at the mountains. They’re tipped with snow and the trees stretching toward the light, basking in the late afternoon sun. Look at Sadie and how her nostrils flare from all the incredible scents. Just incredible.”

My chest tightened. “You’re incredible, Juliette.”

“Yeah?” she asked, tugging the hair behind her ear just like she’d done out of nervousness before. “What’s so incredible about me?”

Shrugging, I almost didn’t answer her, but she deserved to know what I thought. “Your smile. Your laugh. Your talent. The way you stand up for yourself and everyone else. Everything.”

She seemed confused, looking away. “Thank you. No one has ever said that to me before.”

“Then they’re fools. Maybe you’ll show me more pictures one day.” I moved toward the water’s edge, peering down at the surface.

“I’d like that.” She snapped a few more photos. “This is my favorite place on your property. The house is lovely. The barn is wonderful, but this is just pristine. Untouched by humans.”

If only that were true.

She scrunched her nose as if something had caught her attention. “Did you hear that?”

“I only heard the ripple of water.”

“I swear there was a noise, something coming from over there beyond the trees.”

There was no reason that her words should make me anxious, but they did. What I hadn’t done since the first day was to check the perimeter of the property. I’d been remiss in doing so. Normally, I’d walk it twice a day.

“Maybe we should go,” I told her.

“We just got here. Come sit with me. Just for a little while.” She sat down and I scanned the area. I hadn’t brought a weapon with me, which wasn’t like me at all.

After a few seconds, I moved toward her, sitting down by her side.

“I know you have questions, Kage. About my father. Why don’t you just ask me instead of pretending that everything is okay? I can tell you’re on edge.”

“I’m not on edge.” I wrapped my arms around my bent legs, staring at the water. Was I hoping for clarity? Hell if I knew.

“You’re a terrible liar. Stick to what you’re good at.”

“And what’s that?”

She pushed her body against mine playfully. “Extraction. With flair.”

I laughed, shaking my head. “You have a way with words.”

“Keep that in mind.” She laughed with me.

“My father is a good guy. Deep down inside anyway, but when my mother died, a part of him died with her. Her death pushed him into working all the time, avoiding life. Avoiding me. It’s been horrible to see what he’s done to himself.

He’s successful, but money isn’t everything. I finally figured that out.”

“Which is why you love taking pictures.”

“Yes. Doing so gives a sense of purpose and maybe one of peace.” She leaned her head on her knees, peering at me with a strange smile on her face. “What about your parents?”

“We’re cordial. My mother is a hoot and the only person I know who could put up with my grouchy father.” As soon as I made the statement, her grin widened.

“At least I know where you got the grouchiness from. I never knew it was inherited.”

“You’re terrible.” My thoughts drifted away and so did her smile, which I missed immediately. She had a way of lighting up an entire room with it alone. Something else I shouldn’t allow myself to think about.

“Were you close to your uncle?”

“Nope. Not really.”

“They didn’t get along. Right? Your father and your uncle, I mean.”

“Nope.” There was shame in admitting it.

“I’m sorry, Kage. Family squabbles can be difficult. Maybe your uncle was just trying to tell you that he cared about you, even if he wasn’t allowed to show it.”

“Yeah, maybe.”

“Then again, maybe he knew you needed to find peace just like he did by moving here.”

“How so?”

She pushed me again and I pretended to almost fall over. “I might not know you very well, but it’s easy to tell that whatever you went through serving your country has remained with you.”

I tilted my head, staring at the mountains. “Things stay with you, horrors you hope no one else has to see or experience.”

“I’m always here if you want to talk. I know. I’m just some lowly blogger girl trying to make a place in this world, but I certainly understand heartache.”

“Boy trouble?”

She snuffed and rolled her hand through her hair. “Don’t get me started on men. Why can’t they keep their dick in their pants?” When she realized what she’d said, she groaned. “I’m sorry. That was rude.”

“No. Truthful. Which is why I’m going to keep my dick right where it belongs.”

When she licked her lips, I forced myself to look away.

My balls were already tight. This was the last thing I needed.

She was the last thing I could tolerate.

Or should. “Men can be pricks. I’m sorry someone hurt you.

You don’t deserve that.” Just the thought of anyone touching her made me bristle.

The idea of anyone hurting her created a fury burning deep inside.