Page 84 of Protecting Kelli
“I’m sorry you guys have to hide. That’s no fun.”
Kelli studied the woman. She sounded as if she knew what she was talking about. Then she remembered what Flash had told her about the woman’s situation…and she realized she knewexactlyhow Kelli felt.
She felt an instant connection with Bree.
When Bree had introduced herself as the woman Smiley was so desperately searching for, Kelli’s first inclination had been to text Flash and let him know, so he could tell Smiley and he could get his butt over to the apartment. But the more they talked, the more she suspected if she did that, Bree would probably leave and never return. Yes, she’d knocked on the door expecting to talk to Smiley, but she still seemed extremely skittish, and Kelli didn’t want to do anything that might make her run off again. It was obvious Bree needed a friend, and Kelli suddenly wanted tobethat friend.
As if she could read her mind, Bree’s gaze met Kelli’s, and she asked, “Are you going to tell Smiley I was here?”
“Do you want me to?” she returned.
“I don’t know,” Bree whispered. It was obvious she was conflicted. “I came thinking I was finally ready to talk to him, but now that I’m actually here? And Smiley isn’t home? It kind of feels like maybe this was a sign…like it’s not the best time.”
“I’m sure he could help you,” Kelli said. “I mean, I was kidnapped and buried underground and before I could blink, he and his team were rescuing us.”
“My situation isn’t quite the same,” Bree said.
“Look, Flash told me a little about you. Nothingpersonal,” she said, quickly seeing Bree tense. “Just that Smiley met you in Vegas when they were there to find Josie. He was distraught when you disappeared.”
“I had to,” Bree said.
“Yeah, but you should know that when you saved Ellory and Yana…nowallthe guys want to find you.”
“They can join the club,” Bree muttered.
“Don’t take this the wrong way,” Kelli said. “But you look like crap.”
To her surprise, Bree burst out laughing. “I bet I do.”
“I want to be your friend, Bree. I won’t tell Smiley you were here, but…what if you visited me during the day while Flash is at work?” Then she spoke faster, as if that could keep the woman from saying no. “You can shower, we can do your laundry, you can eat something hot. And you’d be keeping me company while the guys do their thing to find my kidnapper.”
“Why? Why would you help me?” Bree asked.
Kelli shrugged. “Because. One, I like you. I know we just met, but there’s something about you that tells me you’re trustworthy and a good person. And two, I’m lonely.”
Bree stared at her for so long, Kelli was sure she was going to refuse, say she needed to go. Then she sighed. “I need help,” she whispered. “I’m exhausted. Sleeping in my car sucks. I’m sick of fast food. And I think the man who’s after me has figured out where I am. I don’t know how, but I’m pretty sure he’s here in Riverton.”
“That’s why you came here, isn’t it? To talk to Smiley.”
“It’s stupid. I only met the man once, and it was on the worst day of my life. But I couldn’t stop thinking abouthim. His name, the fact that he’s a SEAL, that he seemed so…pissed off about my situation.”
“Smiley would bend over backward to help you. The rest of his friends too,” Kelli said earnestly.
“I don’t want to involve them,” Bree said.
Kelli laughed. “I’m not being rude—okay, laughing probablyisrude—but one thing I’ve learned about Flash and his friends is that they love to be involved. In everything. They’re regular ol’ busybodies. But they have the connections and the ability to solve just about any problem. Stay, Bree. Let them help you.”
“I know that’s why I came, but now I…I can’t. Not yet.”
“All right,” Kelli said calmly. “Then how about you shower and we’ll do your laundry. You can make the decision about what to do next after that.”
“Are you going to tell Smiley or your boyfriend that I was here?”
Kelli struggled with that question. She wanted to. But she wanted Bree’s trust more. “No. Not until you tell me I can.”
“Why?”
“Because I’m guessing you’ve had enough decisions about your life taken away from you.”
