“How about Callie? Was her mom like yours or Vida’s?” Ax asked softly, as if he knew she was lost in the past.
“Neither. Brenda never let Callie out much. She never went to Kindergarten. Brenda kept telling social services she was too sick.” Unconsciously, Sawyer’s hand went back to a red curl, tugging and pulling at the tendril over and over. “When she would get in trouble, Brenda would beat her. She blacked her eye one time, and everyone in the apartment building knew it. Not one adult tried to stop her though.”
“Did she get in trouble a lot?”
“Oh, yes, but none of it was her fault. After Brenda blacked her eye, no one would help, but they made sure no one told on her anymore.” Sawyer took a shuddering breath. “We made plans to run away together when we got older. We borrowed books from the library and looked at all the places we dreamed of going.” A lone tear streaked her cheek. “I wanted to go to Disneyland while Vida wanted to live on a farm.”
“Where did Callie want to go?” Ax’s soft question brought a smile to her lips.
“She wanted to go to Alaska. I had told her about the Northern Lights and she wanted to see them. Vida and I researched it for hours for her. Did you know that sometimes, if the conditions are right, they can be seen in Texas and even New Orleans?”
“No, I didn’t know that.”
“We knew that we didn’t stand a chance of making it to Alaska, though it made her so happy when we told her that the lights could be seen from Texas. I’ll never forget the day we told her. Her smile…” Sawyer’s voice broke off.
“Have any of you gotten to go where you wanted?”
“Vida and I went to Disneyland last year. I know it sounds silly, but we had a good time. Then Vida spent a summer off from school working at a farmers’ market. That’s as close as she got.”
“How about Callie?”
“No, she never got to see the Northern Lights.”
“Vida’s the one that’s with King?” Ax questioned. Sawyer nodded her head.
“If Redman is after you and Vida for your connection to King, then isn’t this Callie in danger also?”
Sawyer was dragged away from her memories by Kaden’s voice. She turned toward him and saw everyone looking at her, realizing belatedly that they were unashamedly listening to her conversation with Ax.
“No one can touch that sweet girl ever again.” Sawyer slid out of the booth. Her face was a mask hiding her emotions, though she was unaware of the tortured look in her eyes that couldn’t be concealed. “She died in a fire when she was eight years old.”
The silence in the room was deafening as she went into the bedroom to gather the few items of clothing R.J. had purchased for her.
“I’m sorry about your friend.” Kaden’s soft apology had her shoulders stiffening, but she didn’t turn around. She had made a point of making sure she wasn’t caught in the act of staring at him again.
“Thanks.” Sawyer picked up the bag of clothing and toiletries, intending to go back out with the others.
“You’ve been avoiding me.” Kaden’s directness drew her gaze to him.
“It’s hard to avoid someone on a bus this size,” Sawyer said evasively.
“You manage to leave the room every time you see me.”
“Kaden, I don’t like playing games and obviously you do. I think it’s best we have as little contact as possible until I leave.”
“I see, so you think this is a game?”
“I think you’re an experienced player, Kaden,” Sawyer countered.
“You know what I think, Sawyer? I think you’re scared to death of what’s going on between us, but you go right ahead and ignore it if you want to. I’ll give you a warning, though; the next time you want me to kiss you, I won’t make you ask me. I’ll make you beg.”
Kaden turned, leaving her standing there, staring at him with apprehension growing in her chest.
Sawyer was one of the last off the bus. The waitress in her had been unable to leave the dirty dishes in the sink. When she finished, she stepped out of the bus, going inside to a room filled with the band members and several women still squealing at their arrival. She began to get angry, thinking R.J. was up to his old tricks when she heard the men calling the women by name.
Sin had an exotic woman hanging around his neck with a hand on her butt. D-mon was kissing a leggy blonde, and even Ax had a blonde gazing up at him adoringly while his arm circled her shoulder. R.J. had a brunette welcoming him home at the same time that Kaden and Alec were both talking to some of the security who she had seen during the concerts. There were three other women lounging around with wine glasses in their hand, dressed in designer jeans and tees. Those women, Sawyer guessed, were for Kaden to take his pick. These women weren’t sex slaves to anyone unless they were the ones holding someone captive. Their curious stares raised the hair on her arms as she understood the cat-like speculation they contained.
Alec excused himself, coming toward her. “Let me show you to your room. Then you can come down to dinner. R.J. hired a cook. It’s going to be good to have home cooking again.”
Sawyer silently agreed. The only food supply they’d kept on the bus was premade meals, sandwiches and snacks. When the band was really hungry, they would do take out or buffet. Both of which Sawyer was sick of.
Alec opened the door to a bedroom of pale lavender and gold, which was decorated with expensive furnishings that had her wincing at how out of place she was.
“Kaden called ahead and asked R.J.’s assistant to pick up some more clothes for you. I believe she put them away for you. I’ll see you in a few minutes.”
Sawyer stood uncertainly in the room, not sure what to do next. She went to the closet, opening the door to find a walk-in closet with a vast array of clothes still with the tags on.
Her hand touched one of the silky tops, rubbing the soft material between her fingertips. She could never afford clothes like these. A shiny silver dress caught her eye. It was sexy hanging on the hanger, and she doubted she would ever have the courage to wear such an expensive dress.
Going back out into the bedroom, she searched the drawers, finding more casual clothes. Unable to bring herself to put on the new, stiff jeans she found, she went to her bag, pulling out her more comfortable jeans that she was sure R.J. had hastily purchased at a discount store. Her remaining two tops were dirty, so she had to cave and pick one of the delicate tops that had been purchased for her.
She soaked for thirty minutes in the big tub, enjoying the luxury of the bath’s shampoo and soaps she found, before forcing herself to get out of the tub when she began to grow sleepy. She dried off and dressed, dreading going back downstairs.
She had never been able to mix comfortably with strangers, and the house filled with women made her feel uncomfortable. She should be excited having other women to talk to, but somehow, she didn’t think any of the women were in the search for a new friend.
Her empty stomach had her leaving the bedroom, returning downstairs to find Ax and one woman sitting at the table as well as Kaden and his harem, she thought snarkily. R.J.,his wife—she discoveredwas named Briana—and Alec were also sitting at the dining table. “Have a seat. My name is Briana. I’m married to R.J. I’ll ask the housekeeper to bring an extra plate for you.” She gave a genuine smile as she started to rise from the table.
“Don’t bother. I can get it for myself,” Sawyer said, going into the kitchen before Briana could protest. She stopped short at the sight that met her eyes.
A pretty young woman was trying desperately to put out a small fire on the stove. Without thought, Sawyer hurriedly rushed over, taking a lid off another pot to smother the flame.