Rescuing Ryder (Serenity Securities, Team Hawk #1)

Chapter 33

CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

The room she encountered appeared nothing like the one she experienced in her dreams. The walls held a fresh coat of light tan paint. The broken coffee table was removed. In its place, a square wooden table with designs carved on top sat on a new multicolored rug. A new cream-colored couch with overstuffed cushions now graced the area with pillows of different teal shades, matching the carpet’s colors. Two new recliners with the same teal hues sat on either side of the fireplace.

“Where did my stuff go?” she asked, amazed.

“We damaged the couch. The women decided to replace it for you. Then your chairs didn’t match. It became a snowball effect,” Leo explained.

“We hope you like it. If not, we can return it,” Chase offered.

She shook her head as Ryder led her to a chair. “No. I love it. It feels cozy. I wanted to purchase a new set once I settled.”

Taco sat in the matching chair across from her while the rest of the team sat on the couch or stood behind it. Ryder stayed behind her.

Leo cleared his throat. “We didn’t want you to endure a drive up to the facility. We have some questions concerning the night Kilner attacked you. I know you gave your statement to the local authorities and the Seattle police visited you in the hospital. We want to clarify a few things.”

“I’m not sure what I can tell you that I haven’t already informed them. I’ll do my best,” she answered.

“We want to talk about before the night Mr. Kilner attacked you. Can you tell me why you thought he visited your house before the night in question?” Saint asked.

She took a deep breath, “As you know, I like to run the path at the hospital. I wore a jacket a few mornings before the attack because the weather cooled. Up to then, I didn’t need one. The night before, I placed it beside my purse and keys in the entryway on the half wall. While I jogged, I felt something in my pocket. I unzipped it to find a note. I stopped to read it. The Seattle police now have it. He said he watched me sleep and I should do it forever,” she admitted to the men. A shiver went through her, and she felt Ryder’s hand on her shoulder.

“Did you notice anything else disturbed before the note ended up in your pocket?” Matthew asked.

She thought for a few moments. “I came home to find my filing cabinet drawer slightly open. I thought it odd, but I rushed in the morning to grab a few things and thought I must’ve accidentally forgotten to shut it all the way.”

“Matthew pulled the tapes. We know you spent nights in your office. Something besides the letter spooked you,” Leo gently encouraged her, waiting for an explanation.

Claire nodded. Glancing guiltily over to Chase, she swallowed and explained, “I received a package with a dead squirrel inside with a note at the hospital. The night of the housewarming party, I thought one of you picked up the mail when I ugh…hurt Kassie. Inside the stack, I found a pretty card with flowers on the edge of the envelope. I thought it might be another housewarming card and opened it. It contained another warning he planned to come for me.”

The men’s expressions changed. Chase’s jaw ticked as he stared at her. Leo rubbed his hand along his scruff. Saint let out a low whistle as he glanced toward the ceiling. Taco and Shadow’s mouths firmed into straight lines.

Chase leaned forward. “I hope you know now you’re part of our family. No matter how silly it seems, if you ever feel in danger or uncomfortable or receive a suspicious package, you must contact one of us immediately,” he implored her in a barely controlled voice.

“I understand. The Seattle police assured me he remained in the mental facility,” she explained to Chase. “I didn’t involve you and I didn’t think?—”

“He threatened our children and spouses,” Leo growled out. “You put yourself and your family in harm’s way.”

Tears pooled in her eyes and her gaze shifted to the floor. Ryder growled and knelt in front of her. He turned to stare down Leo.

“Claire didn’t know he intended to harm anyone until the night of the attack. You can’t blame her for the police lying to her,” Ryder gritted out.

Saint shook his head as he twirled the toothpick in his mouth. “We aren’t saying this to hurt her. We want her to understand that anytime there’s a threat to one, it affects all of us. No matter how small, we want her to come to us. You won’t always be staying here.”

“You don’t have to act like she committed a crime. She’s the victim here, or did you forget?” Ryder seethed.

Chase moved from the couch to kneel beside her protector. He took her hand. “We’ve gone through a lot together with my wife. I can never repay you for all you’ve done. We want you to understand the severity of your thinking it didn’t affect us. You might’ve died if Ryder hadn’t shown up. We’re angry for you, not mad at you.”

Claire raised her head as tears fell. Ryder handed her a tissue and shifted away, forcing Chase to move.

“I’ll notify you immediately. I promise,” she assured them.

“Good,” Leo stated. “Now, who did you speak with at the police department?

“I spoke with Detective Stewart and Captain Greene,” she informed them.

Matthew glanced at Leo making Claire nervous.

“What’s the matter? I deserve to know,” she insisted.

Ryder shook his head at the men.

“Hey, you don’t speak for me. If I’m required to keep you informed of anything suspicious, no matter how trivial, it goes both ways,” she demanded.

Leo frowned. “Detective Stewart was killed two nights ago during a home invasion. Captain Greene suffered a heart attack and was pronounced dead at the scene this morning.”

“It’s too coincidental,” Matthew stated. “Did Mr. Kilner say anything to you? Think back to when he first arrived and tell us everything he said.”

“He wanted his file. He said we couldn’t leave until I gave it to him. He didn’t threaten anyone until I refused,” she recalled.

“Why did he want your file on him? I read the court documents and you weren’t the lead expert. Did you add something else?” Matthew asked.

She shook her head. “No. I collaborated with Dr. Klein and the prosecuting attorney. I completed my internship with his clinic. When Dr. Klein’s mother fell ill, he gave my name to the prosecutor to take his place. Of course, we collaborated by phone since he led the initial interviews, and I never worked in a court case.”

“Why didn’t David Kilner threaten Dr. Klein?” Taco asked.

Claire shrugged her shoulders. “I don’t know if he didn’t. Dr. Klein’s mom suffers from late-stage dementia, and he visits her often. I spoke with him earlier and he recently returned home after admitting her to a facility. We don’t know exactly when he escaped. If he watched me enough to know where I moved, maybe he knew Dr. Klein left town.”

“It seems plausible. Chase mentioned you took the day off to testify against Kilner to keep him from getting released early. Did Dr. Klein testify as well?”

“Yes. We went before the board. They ruled against him receiving an early release. There wasn’t anyone to speak for his wife and her mother.”

Leo nodded. “I’m assuming you hid the file. Can we see it?”

Claire shook her head. “No. I’ll comb through it and see if anything stands out. Dr. Klein and I kept meticulous notes.”

“Good. Someone knew Kilner escaped. We need to figure out who. Did you talk to Captain Greene first or Detective Stewart?” Leo asked.

“I spoke with the detective first. When he stopped returning my calls, I went up the ladder. The captain assured me they confirmed Kilner remained there.”

“We’ll let you rest. If you think of anything or need something, call us,” Chase reminded her as he nodded for the team to leave. Each man gave her a chin lift, a wink, or a nod as they went, letting her know they protected her back.

Ryder placed dinner before her and watched as she picked at her food.

“Do ya wanna talk about it, Claire Bear? You seem awfully engrossed in the chicken pot pie,” he asked.

She glanced in his direction before continuing to play with her food. “I want to read the file and I know you’ll give me grief.”

“Yep.” He shoveled more food in his mouth, chewed, and swallowed. “After your appointment, if the Doc agrees, I will oblige.”

She sighed, disappointed. “I’m bored.”

He put his fork down and placed his hand on his knee. “Let’s play a game,” he suggested.

“I don’t want to play a game,” she pouted.

“I know. I’ll run down to the hardware store and pick up a couple of brushes and a few cans of paint. We can get a head start on the trim.”

“Very funny,” she made a face at him. “Ryder, we need to talk.”

He pushed his plate away and sat back against the sofa. “Bring it,” he commanded her.

“We need to discuss the kiss,” Claire responded softly.

“Wow, you’re still thinking about it. I’m impressed,” he gloated.

She frowned at him. “Can you stay serious for one minute?”

Ryder pretended to consider the option. “Probably not.”

She sat back against the chair. “Never mind,” Claire whispered.

He let out a loud sigh. Ryder moved the tray to the side and stared her down. She didn’t bother to glance up.

“Ok, Claire Bear,” he held out his hand. “We’ll talk. I want you to sit beside me. Will you?”

Claire nodded. He led her over to the couch and put her back to his chest.

“Say what you need to say. What’s on your mind?” Ryder whispered in her ear as they watched the fire burn in the fireplace.

Taking a deep breath, Claire asked him, “Did you transfer feelings for me as a patient to a doctor?”

“No.”

“Did you ask Chase to switch to Dr. Hill?” she asked.

“Yes.” he answered confidently.

“Because of what occurred between us?” she asked him tentatively.

“No.” he answered curtly.

“Ryder!” she raised her voice.

“What?” he asked irritated.

Claire rose from his chest and punched Ryder in the arm.

“You know for a head shrink, you pack one hell of a punch. Did you know hitting someone is a form of physical abuse? Tsk, tsk, tsk,” he reprimanded her.

She rolled her eyes. “One-word answers don’t constitute a discussion.”

“Fine. Then stop tiptoeing around what you want to really ask,” he demanded.

“If you know what I’m trying to ask, why don’t you say it?” she accused him.

He chuckled. “Because I love watching you squirm. I’ve been on the receiving end for so long; it’s kinda nice to have the shrink know how it feels.”

She punched him again.

“Owww. I attempted to discuss my feelings. Have you considered counseling for your aggressive behavior?”

“Anyone who knows you has wanted to hit you at some point,” she groused.

Ryder pulled her back against him.

“I asked Chase to switch me before you kissed me. You wanted to play the whole trust game…I didn’t want to think about all the shit it brought up. I figured if I transferred to Dr. Hill, he’d stick to the status quo,” he explained softly. “You got too close, Doc,” he admitted.

“Then the kiss?” she whispered.

“I missed you. I saw you in the hallways with the teens or in the groups with the veterans. When I saw you running and glancing behind you, I thought you were running from something and were in danger. When you collided with me, I wanted to protect you. I felt something shift inside me…” his voice drifted off.

Claire turned to find him struggling with his emotions.

“I’m sorry, Ryder. I’ve confused you,” Claire cupped his cheek. “I let my own feelings get in the way. I’ll call Chase and Kassie tomorrow,” she confessed to him, disappointed.

Ryder’s face twisted as he shook his head. “Don’t you see, Claire Bear? I felt something. For the first time in a long time, I felt you . Once I tasted you, I tried to shove you back into the box and stay numb. I can’t,” His forehead met hers.

Claire’s breath caught at his admission. “I want you to feel. You deserve this, Ryder.”

“No. I don’t. I can’t stop thinking about you, Claire Bear. The night of the barbeque, I saw your face when Doc told you.”

“I acted the way I did because it surprised me you didn’t feel comfortable enough to speak with me about it,” Claire admitted.

“I requested to switch. It about killed me. I wanted you to understand, so I came to your house ready to tell you everything. You asked me to leave.As I left, something didn’t feel right. I called Whiskey and returned. When I heard you yell at Kilner and saw you hit him in the head with the paperweight, as you stood there bleeding …I wanted to tear him apart with my bare hands. Once the smoke and feathers cleared, all I saw was you.”

A tear ran down her cheek. “Ryder,” she whispered.

“I don’t want to talk. Let me feel you, Claire.”