Page 66 of Kage

Kage

“The Marine who used to own Tank said he loved cheeseburgers more than anything.” I don’t know why I was telling her other than to break the tension.

Juliette said nothing.

“Corporal Banks left a duffle bag with his favorite toy, tennis balls, and a note. He mentioned cheeseburgers.”

Her sigh was heavy. “That’s why you bought another one for him before we left.”

“Yeah. I’d buy a burger joint if it made him happy.”

She glanced over at me. “I don’t doubt that for a second.”

As soon as the slight conversation ended, we both returned to our silent mode where we stayed until we’d arrived.

“We’re here,” I said, recognizing the continued gruffness in my voice. Since we’d left the diner, she’d turned away from me,keeping her head turned toward the passenger window. Her arms had been folded over her chest in a protective mode.

Her silence had annoyed me as much as the dozens of questions she’d asked, expecting an answer. Answers I hadn’t been interested in providing.

Now the total silence in the truck, other than Tank snoring in the back, had annoyed the fuck out of me. Especially when it had gotten dark. I’d come to hate the darkness more and more over the years, especially while being on the road. It had nothing to do with my eyesight. That was still twenty-twenty.

I simply could overreact with shadows or if something ran out in front of the road. I’d blamed the training for years, but I knew that wasn’t it.

The truth was much darker. I was fucked up, a fractured man. Maybe some would say broken, but at least I was functioning.

But tonight, after what we’d just gone through, the sensations of being watched and followed had attached itself like a noose as soon as twilight had struck. Now it was after nine. With the time change, it had been one hell of a long day.

When Juliette said nothing, I almost barked at her again. That seemed to be the only thing I’d done the entire day. Even after she’d relieved both my neck and headache. “Juliette.” I cut the engine and looked over.

With the motion sensor light out front turning on with my arrival, I was easily able to see the continuous rise and fall of her chest. She was fast asleep. Well, she had endured a hell of a lot in the last few days.

I chuckled from hearing Tank’s even breathing. At least the two of them could relax. I’d remain on edge the entire time she was in my house. Not from worry about some asshole storming into my place, but just from having her around.

After yanking the keys from the ignition, I took a few deep breaths before reaching behind me and stroking Tank’s fur. The rental would be taken to a local airport tomorrow, my truck retrieved. Right now, I wanted a landing spot to think through what little I knew about the situation.

And to spend some time on the computer. I still had a few connections from my old days. Perhaps I could discover what her father had found himself mixed up in. After thinking about the situation, that’s what it sounded like more and more.

Only I wasn’t being paid to be a sleuth.

With Tank awake, I crawled out, the pup tumbling after me. She still hadn’t moved. I grabbed the bags, automatically scanning the perimeter as I always did. During the silent ride, I’d been thinking about installing more security. Maybe it wasn’t necessary, but something in the back of my mind told me this mission wasn’t over.

Tank drained the willy, lifting his leg higher than normal. Maybe the boy was proud of himself. He should be. I couldn’t have gotten her out safely without him.

“Come on, boy.”

He stood where he was, his big head glancing over his shoulder. Waiting for her.

“I’ll get her in a minute.” Jesus. They’d bonded more than I had with him. That kind of pissed me off as well. He was my dog. Not hers.

Yeah, I was being childish. She brought that out in me. Like how she ate her damn fries. Who licked ketchup off after slathering them with the sauce first? No one.

Heading onto the porch, I unlocked the door, turning on a light and placing the bags just inside. It was funny how coming home tonight felt entirely different. Maybe because I was reminded all over again how precious life could be.

Fuck. I was becoming philosophical again. Tank strolled in, but stood just inside, his glance turning into a glare. At me. His master.

“I’m getting her. I’m an asshole, but not that much.” I laughed to myself as I walked toward the passenger door, lightly tapping on the glass so as not to scare her.

She didn’t wake up.

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