Page 2 of Burned
Even though there was no evidence that Kenzi used these things, I couldn’t let go of the feeling that she could have been here. Stepping out of the bathroom, I headed to the closet and opened the door. Women’s clothes hung inside. As I searched the closet more, I found a green trash bag hidden behind a few dresses. Holding my breath, I pulled it from the shelf and began untying the knot holding it closed. The contents inside the bag confirmed everything my gut told me: Kenzi was here.
Taking the bag with me, I left the room and headed down the stairs. Davian and Stone were still standing in the foyer with the old woman. When I reached them, I held up the bag in front of the woman and choked, “Where is she? Where is Kenzi Horton?”
~1~
Kenzi
How could a woman with a law degree be unable to figure out what River Stevenson’s game was? Since we left River's log home, one thing had stuck in my head. He admitted that Van Wilkerson and Niles Harris were brothers and that he broke ties with them long ago. What the hell did that even mean? What ties did he have to the most dangerous men in Atlanta?
River’s kiss left me confused. Axe was the man I loved. I had to get my head on straight. No way could I allow myself to lower my guard with this man. I didn’t know if River was friend or foe. How could I trust a man I didn’t know to protect me? What if protecting me was all a game, or part of a plan for something bigger? I wished I had a way to contact someone, anyone.
My anger was building by the second. Unintentionally, I pushed the chair from the table and moved away from River. “Tell me what the fuck is going on, River. Who the hell are you, and why are you doing this? Why won’t you let me contact someone, anyone, to let them know where I am?”
“Calm down. Kenzi.” River invaded my space, causing me to step back. “Will you please sit down so I can explain?”
Instead of taking a seat at the table, River led me to the leather couch. I wasn’t sure what he thought, but sitting on the couch wouldn't make me any calmer. We both sat and stared at each other, me more than him. All I wanted was to know the real reason I was here and why he was being evasive about telling me the truth. Sure, he said it was to keep me safe, but what was the other reason?
“I would never lie to you, Kenzi. Everything that I have told you is the truth.” River reached out and placed his hand on my thigh.
“In a way, you are lying. You haven’t told me anything.” I hesitated. “I still don’t know why I’m really here.”
River moved his hand from my leg and took hold of my hand. He lifted my hand and brushed his lips over my knuckles before his eyes connected with mine. “It’s complicated, Kenzi. The last thing I want is to hurt you. The truth will tear you apart.”
“I’m a big girl, River. Just tell me what is going on.” Every minute that passed was making me angrier. If River didn’t tell me what was going on soon, he would find out just how angry I was.
Releasing my hand, River stood and raked his fingers through his thick hair. When his blue eyes met mine, I could see uneasiness in them and what telling me the truth was costing him. No matter how hard this was for him, I deserved an explanation.
“Please, River. Just tell me.”
River shook his head and stepped away from the couch. Watching him pace back and forth was like watching a tennis match. I was about to plead again when he stopped and turned to face me. “Your boyfriend had an agreement with Van Wilkerson. If he didn’t follow through, Van would make sure he never saw you again.”
“What kind of agreement?” I snapped back, unable to believe Axe would ever make an agreement with criminals.
“Given their past, I would venture to say it had something to do with what you found on the Internet.”
“Are you talking about the unexplained explosions?”
River took a seat next to me. Reaching for my chin, his distressed gaze stayed fixed on mine. “Yes. That is why staying here with me is the best way to keep you safe.”
Contemplating my next move, I turned my head and stood. “I need to call my friend Reyna. Her husband is Davian Cross. He can help. He will know what to do.”
“No!” River scolded. “There is no one you can trust, especially not Davian Cross.” River’s expression hardened. “Davian Cross is no saint, and the men of his so-calledSocietyare no more than flunkies to do his dirty work.”
“You’re wrong.” I had only known Davian for a short time, but I knew Reyna, and she wouldn’t be with a man who wasn’t worthy of her.
The timer on the oven went off, interrupting our conversation. I still had more questions, but they would have to wait until after dinner. River rose to his feet and held out his hand. “Let’s eat and just enjoy each other’s company.”
As we sat at the small table, I tried to figure out River. My eyes were on him while we ate in silence. I wasn’t sure how long he planned to keep me here, but I was certain of one thing. I would not miss my first day at Saxton, Marsh, and Peters.
“I start a new job in two weeks at one of the largest law firms in Chicago,” I shared. “I’m not sure how long you plan on keeping me here, but I can’t miss my first day. It is a chance of a lifetime, and I will not blow it off because of your male ego.”
I could have gotten lost in River’s blue eyes given the way he looked at me. His compassion was plain as day, but was he willing to make sure I would be in Chicago in time to start my new life as a practicing lawyer?
River covered my hand with his. “By all means, you should be there,” he agreed. “But only if I can make sure it happens safely.”
There was a hesitation in his comment, making me wonder what he meant. “Why do I get the feeling I won’t be going to Chicago alone?”
Taking hold of my hand and giving it a light squeeze, River said with a smile, “I’m not letting you out of my sight. I’m not sure how far Van’s and Niles’ reach is, but they would come after you if they got wind that you were in Chicago. I will not risk you going there alone.”
