Page 29 of Beautifully Broken Control

The small smile fell from her face, and I hated myself just a little bit for being the cause. “Sutter Lake is safe.”

“Bad things can happen anywhere.” Hell, there’d been a serial killer hunting in the area mere months ago.

Kennedy straightened. “You’re right. Bad stuff happens everywhere, but I’m not going to live my life assuming it’s waiting around every corner.”

“I’m not asking you to do that. I’m asking you to be careful.” I struggled to keep my tone even, to not allow the anger and frustration pulsing through me to show.

She sighed. “I’m careful. Promise. Come on, we need to go, or we’re going to be late.”

She wasn’t careful enough. My hands clenched and flexed. I had no control over Kennedy, or how she lived her life, how she protected herself. Why did that burn so much when I barely knew the woman?

Kennedy pushed open the door, and I hurried to catch up. “The shelter is currently housed in the community center, but they’re trying to raise enough funds to build their own separate space.” I took in the space that looked mostly like a school cafeteria. “This is where residents eat, have activities, and where events are held.”

“How often do you volunteer here?”

Kennedy turned to face me, the action causing her hair to swing and catch the early evening light, the red flaming for just a moment. “Usually, five nights a week.”

That was a lot. Between her work at the Kettle and this, I wondered when she got any time for herself. “That’s generous of you.”

Something flitted across her expression, too quick for me to identify for certain, but it looked a lot like pain. “I get a lot out of it in return.”

My palms itched to reach out to her. To comfort. And I had no idea why. “Why don’t you introduce me around?”

“Sounds good.”

A back door swung open, and a man appeared. He wore khakis and a blue polo shirt. He smiled wide the minute he saw Kennedy, but the expression turned forced as soon as he spotted me. “Kenz, who do you have here?”

Kennedy returned his smile. Hers was warm, and something in my gut twisted at the familiarity. “Doug, this is Cain. He’s new to town and wants to help out. Cain, this is Hope House’s director, Doug.”

I reached out a hand to shake Doug’s. His grip attempted to dominate, to show who was in charge. I simply kept mine steady, not giving in to his games. He took it as a victory, smirking slightly. I fought the urge to roll my eyes. “Nice to meet you, Doug.”

“You, as well. I hope you don’t mind, but I’ll need to make a copy of your driver’s license. We do basic background checks on all of our volunteers.”

I pulled my wallet from my back pocket and handed him my ID. “Here you go.”

There was a flicker of disappointment in his expression, as though he thought I might throw a temper tantrum. “I’ll go run this now.” His gaze flicked back to Kennedy. “Have you thought any more aboutSwan Lake? If we’re going to go, I should get tickets.”

Kennedy’s fingers twisted in the strap of her bag. “I can’t right now. Things are just too busy. Thanks for inviting me, though.”

Doug’s forced smile was back. “Of course. We’ll go another time.” He turned on his heel and headed down another hall. Kennedy’s shoulders slumped slightly.

“Swan Lake, huh?” Why did her denial make me so damn happy?

Her body gave a little jolt as though she’d forgotten I was even there. “Yeah, he knows I love ballet.”

I edged just a bit closer. “Why aren’t you going with him, then?” I couldn’t help probing, I wanted to know more, to see how her mind worked, to find out who—and what—Doug was to her. I should’ve restrained myself, but my control always seemed to slip a bit around Kennedy.

She nibbled on the corner of her lip. “I’m really busy right now.” Kennedy paused and then blew out a breath. “And I don’t want to give him the wrong impression. I’m not interested in being anything but friends.”

My muscles loosened even more. “Then you did the right thing.”

“I hope so.”

The same door swung open again. This time, a woman who looked to be in her mid-twenties emerged. She was curvy and wore an apron, her blonde hair up in a bun. “There you are. I was starting to worry you got kidnapped by a roving band of hooligans.” Her steps faltered as she took me in. “Well, hello, Mr. Tall Dark and Handsome. No wonder you’re late. I would be too if this was who I was with.”

Kennedy laughed. “Anna, this is Cain. Cain, this is Anna. She really runs the show around here.”

I extended a hand. “It’s lovely to meet you.”

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