Page 7

CHAPTER 7

Teller and Hawk exited the outbuilding and watched as Kalea and Sachie walked slowly up to the house. Once the women were inside, the men wandered over to a fence and looked out over the pasture beyond.

“Thanks for answering the call last night,” Hawk said. “Kalea wanted me to jump in my truck and race into Hilo to help her friend.”

Teller shook his head, his gaze on the pasture and the horses grazing peacefully in it. “You would’ve been too late. The intruder was working on breaking down her bedroom door when I arrived, and he was armed.”

Hawk leaned his arms on the top rail of the fence. “There have been many times throughout my career as a Navy SEAL, and now as a Brotherhood Protector, when I felt I was in the right place at the right time.” He tipped his head toward the house. “When I was given Kalea as my first assignment as a protector, I wasn’t keen on the role of an undercover bodyguard to a spoiled little rich girl.” He grinned. “She gave me a run for my money. I thought my timing was off on that one, but in the end, it was spot on. I was meant to be there for her.” He grinned. “And I couldn’t be happier.”

Teller’s thoughts went to the woman he’d been sent to protect. His pulse raced as he recalled the broken doorframes and how close she’d come to coming face-to-face with a man who might have killed her. He was glad he’d gotten there before that could happen. And now that he’d spent a little time with Sachie, he found he wanted to spend more. Working with troubled teens and children in horribly abusive situations had to be hard. It took a strong individual to deal with all she had to do. He respected her for taking on that kind of work. “I’m glad I was there,” he said and then chuckled. “Although Ms. Moore might’ve come out of that attack all right. She’s wicked with a butcher knife.”

“Kalea says Sachie grew up in an abusive home,” Hawk said.

Teller’s breath hung in his lungs. “Really? ”

Hawk nodded. “She went into her career field fully intending to help kids like herself realize they could have a better life. When the young man took his life, it hit Sachie hard. Kalea would have gone to her immediately, but her father and I wouldn’t let her.”

Wow. He had more in common with the feisty counselor than he could have imagined. “There aren’t enough counselors willing to take on troubled teens,” he said, knowing the truth of it. He’d never had a counselor to help him through his teen years when he’d been so angry at the world, his hormones exacerbating his moods. He’d overheard his foster parents talking about him. Joe, the man of the house, had argued with his wife. He’d told his wife that Teller would never amount to anything if he didn’t get his shit together. Most likely, he’d end up joining a gang and dying in a gutter from an overdose.

Joe had had little patience for Teller’s moody aggression and had smacked him around whenever he’d reached his limit.

Teller had taken all he could. He’d packed a few items into his school backpack and was on his way out of their lives when he’d overheard that conversation. He’d started to storm out of the house and never look back. As he’d reached for the doorknob, he’d realized he’d end up exactly as Joe predicted. With no job, no place to live and no money, he would be on a downhill track.

He crept back up the stairs to his room, unpacked his backpack and settled in to do the homework he’d tossed in the trash. From that moment on, he’d kept out of trouble, not for Joe, but for himself, and finished high school. As soon as he’d had his diploma in hand, he’d joined the Army and left his past behind him, determined to prove Joe wrong. What he’d accomplished was proving to himself he could do anything he set his mind to.

“You’ve been there, haven’t you?” Hawk said quietly.

Teller shot a glance toward Hawk. How did he know?

Of course. Swede was an expert hacker and could tap into any database. Hank had probably performed a thorough background check on each person he invited to become a Brotherhood Protector. Teller couldn’t blame him. His reputation depended on the reliability of his agents. Not only his reputation, but also the lives of his clients.

Teller nodded. “As you know, my childhood wasn’t the greatest.”

“Yet you overcame it, and you’re stronger for having worked so hard to make it better. Not only were you at the right place at the right time, but you were also the right person to help Sachie. Of all the members of our team, you understand her and her mission better than anyone.” Hawk clapped him on the back. “Shall we join the ladies and see what color they've chosen for the nursery, which I'll likely have to paint tomorrow?”

Teller entered the ranch house behind Hawk with an even deeper appreciation for his client. He could only imagine the kind of abuse Sachie had endured in her childhood. He hoped that someday she would trust him enough to know he would never hurt her in any way.

They found Sachie, Kalea and Mr. Parkman in the big farm kitchen, seated at a table large enough for a dozen people. Each had a glass of lemonade in their hands, sipping and talking about colors, fabrics and what Kalea had packed in her go-bag for when she went into labor. At least the women were talking. Mr. Parkman sat in uncomfortable silence, pretending to be interested.

As soon as Hawk and Teller entered the room, Mr. Parkman looked up in relief. “Thought you’d never show up. The womenfolk have discussed the nursery room design until I’m blue in the face. Anyone want to see if there’s a ballgame on? Or maybe some wrestling?”

“Actually, I’d love to watch some wrestling,” Kalea said. “All this talk about babies and nurseries has worn me out.” She lurched to her feet. “I’ll meet you in the living room after I make a detour to the bathroom. The baby is pressing heavily on my bladder.”

“Popcorn or pretzels?” her father asked, heading for the pantry.

“Popcorn,” Kelea answered promptly. “Pretzels go with beer. I won’t be drinking beer until this kid is weaned.” Kalea sighed. “The sacrifices we women have to make.”

Hawk dropped a kiss on the top of her hair. “You’re going to be an amazing mother.”

“And you’re going to change diapers and feed the baby in the middle of the night when I’m so exhausted I can’t remember what’s up and what’s down.”

“Yes, ma’am. I’ve been practicing diaper changing on the baby’s stuffed bear. I’ve got it down to five seconds flat.”

“Yeah, yeah,” Kelea said as she left the room. “Wait until you change a moving target.”

Hawk chuckled. “I can’t wait.” He took the popcorn packet from Mr. Parkman, tore off the cellophane and placed the bag in the microwave. “Are you two going to watch the match with us?”

Sachie glanced toward the window. “If you don’t mind, I’d like to go out and enjoy what’s left of the afternoon sunshine. ”

“I’ll go with you,” Teller said.

Sachie walked out the back door, stood for a moment on the deck and drew in a deep breath. She let it out slowly and turned to Teller. “Care to take a walk?”

“Sure,” he responded.

“You know, it’s safe here on the ranch. Don’t feel obligated to follow me around. If you’d rather watch the match with Kalea and her family, you won’t hurt my feelings.”

He touched a hand to her back and descended the steps to the ground. “I’d love to go for a walk. The sun is still shining, and the air is fresh.”

“That’s how I feel. It would be nice to clear the smell of smoke from my system.” She headed toward the fence where he’d stood minutes before with Hawk, discussing her. She climbed up on the first rail and placed her foot on the second.

“Were your ears burning?” Teller asked.

“What?” Sachie lost her grip on the top rail and fell backward.

Teller easily caught her, one arm behind her back and the other beneath her knees.

She glared at him without fighting to free herself of his hold. “Were you and Hawk talking about me?”

“You were part of the conversation.” Teller’s lips twitched, and his brow twisted. “And he talked a lot about timing and how it worked for him and Kalea, though he hadn’t really wanted to be her protector in the very beginning.” He shook his head. “I’m not certain what point he was trying to make.” He hefted her up onto the top rail and gripped her knees until she had her balance. “Got it?”

She nodded. “Yeah. You can let go.”

He did but remained at the ready in case she tipped one way or the other.

“What were you and Hawk saying about me?”

“He told me you had a difficult childhood, and that working as a counselor was your way of helping others with similar challenges.” Teller didn’t go into detail about what difficulties she’d encountered growing up. If she wanted him to know, she would tell him. If not, it was none of his business.

She turned, swung a leg over the top rail, straddling the fence, her gaze going out to pasture where the horse still grazed, unconcerned about humans and their hangups. “You were part of the conversation in the nursery as well,” Sachie said.

“Were you so stuck for interesting conversation that you had to resort to talking about me?” he asked, surprised his name had come up. If he were honest with himself, he was a bit flattered and curious.

She nodded. “Kalea said you were one of the team members who’d been hardest to get to know. She thought maybe you’d been hurt by someone in the past. A wife, girlfriend, family member, and that it gave you trust issues.” Sachie looked back at Teller.

Teller leaned his elbows on the fence in front of her knees and stared out at the field. “What do you think?”

“That it’s none of my business,” she said.

“Have you ever lost trust in someone?”

“Who hasn’t?” She looked away.

“I didn’t lose trust in a wife,” he said. “I’ve never been married.”

Sachie glanced down at him, her brow furrowing. “Never? A good-looking guy like you?”

He liked that she found him attractive, but didn’t say anything, not wanting to lead her on.

“Did a girlfriend let you down?” Sachie asked. “Sorry. Just curious. You don’t have to answer that.”

“I dated, but never for long. You see, I lost trust in family as a unit. My parents and my little sister died in a car crash. I was the only one to survive the wreck, and only because I’d unbuckled my seatbelt and rolled down my window. My parents were arguing over whether or not I should roll up the window when a semi tractor-trailer rig crossed the median and ran into us. If I hadn’t rolled down that window, my parents wouldn’t have been arguing. My dad might’ve seen the semi coming at us and swerved in time to miss it. As it was, I was thrown clear. The car flipped several times, crushing my father, mother and sister inside. With no living relatives to take me in, I was dumped into foster care. I stayed with seven families in the eight years I was part of that system. I suffered from survivor’s guilt and acted out. I should’ve died in that wreck.”

Sachie touched his arm. “What did you tell me? You didn’t pull the trigger. You weren’t driving that truck. It wasn’t your fault.”

“Maybe it was.” Teller shrugged. “I didn’t believe in family for so long that when I joined the Army, I’d been a loner for so long, it was hard to integrate as part of a team. Once I did, I found the family I’d longed for in my brothers in arms. I didn’t need anyone else.”

“And now?”

“My team is scattered over the islands, but I know they’re there. They’ll always have my back.”

“What about love?”

Teller nodded. “I love my brothers.”

“No,” Sachie said. “Romantic love. Finding that one person you can’t live without.”

“I’m not sure such a love exists.” His lips twisted. “I think people mistake lust for love and get married only to be disappointed soon after. The new wears off, and they find themselves stuck with a person with whom they have nothing in common.”

“Wow. That’s defeatist,” Sachie said.

“Is it?” Teller challenged. “What about you? I don’t see a wedding ring.”

Her lips tightened. “Like you, I never married.”

“Why not?” he asked. “You’re a good-looking woman.”

She looked away. “I have my reasons.”

“Did someone break your heart?” he asked.

She stiffened. “Yeah.”

“A friend, boyfriend or family member?” he asked.

Her face paled

Teller immediately regretted putting her on the spot. “You don’t have to answer that question,” he said softly. “It’s none of my business.”

“Family member,” she whispered.

He reached out and touched her hand. “I’m sorry. I should be more sensitive.”

She didn’t pull her hand loose from his but stared down where they were joined. “My father. He loved me, played with me and gave me everything my heart desired. I was daddy’s little girl.” Sachie drew herself up, a fake smile plastered on her face. Then all the starch melted out of her. “Until I wasn’t a little girl anymore. I got hips, breasts and my period. Our games stopped being fun. He did things...” Her voice broke.

Teller’s heart broke for the little girl whose father had violated her trust, her love and her body. His hand tightened around hers.

A single tear slipped down Sachie’s cheek. She brushed it away. “That’s my sordid past. I didn’t turn my father in when I should have. I didn’t tell my mother, although I think she knew, but didn’t want to admit it. I couldn’t make him stop. Every time he came to my room, I pretended I was dead, while wishing he would die and leave me alone.” Sachie snorted. “Apparently, some wishes do come true. He died of a heart attack when I was fifteen. My mother had his tombstone inscribed with the words, Loving husband and father . I waited until she wasn’t looking and spit on it.”

“Okay, you win,” he said, lifting her hand to his lips. “You had a shittier childhood than I did.” He pressed his lips to the backs of her knuckles. “I’m sorry for what happened to you. No child deserves that kind of physical and emotional abuse. That’s why you chose a career in counseling.”

She nodded. “I wanted to spare other kids from abuse at their parents’ hands.” Her eyebrows knitted. “I try so hard to get through to them. But, sometimes, nothing I say or do sticks, or they resent me for taking them away from an abusive family.”

“The belief that it’s better to stay with what you know than what you don’t know…?”

“Exactly.” She sighed. “Then there are the children who land in bad situations with foster care. They come out of it with no sense of belonging or belief that they can be loved.”

“Like me?” He shook his head. “I’m not one of your troubled teens. You don’t have to therapize me. I’m okay with how I turned out.”

She cupped his cheek. “You’re one of the lucky ones.”

“I’m beginning to believe I am.” He captured her hand, pressing his lips into her palm.

A buzzing sound captured his attention. He raised his head.

Sachie frowned and said, “Do you hear that?”

He nodded and looked around.

The sun had begun its descent toward the horizon, but there was still plenty of light in the sky.

As the sound grew louder, Teller and Sachie looked straight up.

Sunlight glinted off something shiny as it dropped down from the sky.

Teller grabbed Sachie around the waist and yanked her off the fence rail as a drone dove toward her.

He set her on her feet and yelled, “Get down.”

She dropped to her knees and covered her head and the back of her neck.

Teller ducked as the drone swept over him.

It turned, hovered and then flew low, aiming for Sachie, who hunkered close to the ground.

As the drone swerved around him, Teller cocked his leg and kicked as hard as he could, sending the drone crashing to the ground.

The buzzing stopped for a moment and then revved back up with a vengeance.

The drone had only risen several inches from the ground when Sachie lunged to her feet and performed a flying broad jump, landing in the middle of the device, crushing it into the dust.

Silence reigned, with Sachie standing like a conquering warrior on the incapacitated drone, her face set in a fierce scowl. “This ends now.”