Page 8 of Her Noble Protector

Raiden scoured the back of the house. Little window over an exhaust vent, so that was the laundry room. Beside it was a good-sized window that he figured was the guest room. Then there was a much bigger window which he would bet his bottom dollar was the master bedroom. On the end was a small window up high. Master bath. Every single one of them closed up tight. He saw the a/c unit running beside the house, which told him that her electricity was still on and she was home. At least she was staying cool in the pitch black, which meant she was still taking care of herself, at least somewhat. But…

Goddammit!

He pinched the bridge of his nose. Raiden took a deep breath in the hot arid desert air—at least he was used to that. He could suck it down for months and not have it bother him. There were a couple of bottles in his car, along with some protein bars, but he’d have to get some supplies in order to carry out his plan.

There wasn’t a chance in hell that he’d let this stand. Raiden headed back to the padlocked gate. It was time to get serious.

4

Lisa rested the bat beside the front door as she watched Raiden’s rental car back out of her driveway through the peephole. Despite the now-cool air in her house, she was drenched in clammy sweat. During the day she kept her bedroom door open and she’d heard it when the car pulled up. It had taken all of her willpower not to run to her bedroom and throw the deadbolt. She had to find out who was at her door. She wasn’t expecting any deliveries, but it could be something else that she would have to deal with. That she’d have to deal with.

Her worst nightmare was Paula sending the cops to do a welfare check. That was the reason she needed to be able to meet them on her porch. Upright. Breathing. Not let them into her house. That would be enough, wouldn’t it?

But instead of cops, Paula had sent that man. Why in the world would she have sent Raiden Sato? Lisa lifted a trembling hand to her lips. She felt her breath wheeze out in relief. It didn’t matter, he was gone now.

But he’d looked around. Poked into her business. He’d left her porch and knocked on the carport door. Called out to her. She was pretty sure he’d gone into her backyard. Why?

He’s gone now. I’m okay.

Her laugh was more a broken sob.

Yeah, sure I’m okay.

She reached over to grab the bat but her arm had no strength, and only one finger ended up touching it. It clanked onto her tile floor. She cringed at the loud sound.

Lisa bent down slowly and picked up the bat. It dragged against the tiles as she headed to her bedroom. Sleep. She just needed some sleep.

This time when she crawled into bed she took the bat with her, not knowing if she would wake up in the afternoon or night. She looked at the clock on her nightstand and saw that it was eleven-thirty. She noticed her Garmin tactical watch beside it. Glancing down she was stunned to see it was mid-December, how was that even possible?

The kids. She wasn’t going to be there with the kids for Christmas. She always had gifts for them. Always. She was going to miss everything. Everything was done. Everything had been taken away. She gripped the bat harder, resting her head against the tape-covered handle.

Please don’t let me dream.

* * *

Lisa shot up and something hit her jaw hard. She scrambled backward, trying to get away from whoever was hitting her. She kicked out and her shin hit something metal. Her head swiveled around when she heard the gentle tapping against her bedroom window.

“Lisa, can you hear me? It’s me, Raiden Sato,” the voice said gently.

How could a man’s voice be gentle?

Lisa shoved against the metal and realized it was her aluminum softball bat and shoved it out of her bed.

“Lisa?”

She scuttled backward on her heels and butt until her back hit her headboard. He was right outside her window. How did he get there? What did he want?

“Lisa, I just want to know if you’re all right. I promised Paula that I’d call her. Will you talk to me?” His voice was so soft and gentle. Was she dreaming it? She locked her arms around her shaking knees.

For a long time, he didn’t say anything, so maybe he was a dream, but she still couldn’t stop shaking. Wait a minute, she was rocking. Her legs hurt. Her arms hurt. Maybe he’d gone away.

“Honey, will you answer me? I’m worried about you.”

She gripped harder and pain seared up her shoulders.

Please, won’t he just go away? Please.

“I hope I’m not scaring you. That’s the last thing I want to do. You never deserve to be scared. If Paula could come, she’d be here, I hope you know that.”