Page 5 of Finding Shelter
Kash didn’t look back. He needed every ounce of focus to keep Ledger safe. “There’s someone outside. Go to your room, lock the door, and don’t turn your back on the window. If you’ve got a gun, get it now.” Kash didn’t bother looking tosee if he had been obeyed. He yanked open the first door he came to that led him outside. His eyes were already adjusted to the dark. The floodlights were on, but Kash’s gaze swept the area they missed. Someone was there. Kash felt them. The last wisps of clothing turned the corner, as if someone darted out of sight. He ran after them. Sharp rocks dug into his bare feet. He stubbed his toe on something that was part of the landscaping. Fuck, he really needed a better look at the place. In his defense, he hadn’t thought anyone could hurt Ledger.
As the dark shadow came into sight, Kash dove, tackling the trespasser and taking them to the ground.
“Holy shit!What the fuck?”
Wait, Kash recognized that aggravated voice. He flipped the man beneath him. It was Valon. He smelled as if he had bathed in liquor, and he looked exactly how Kash’s mother had looked every time she disappeared inside a bottle.
“Kash? Why are you on top of me? Not that I’m complaining, but I’ll probably feel that in the morning.” He was beyond calm. Valon sounded bored.
Kash stood, pulling Valon to his feet with him. “Why are you lurking around outside? Where are your guards?”
Valon swiped at his clothing and didn’t meet Kash’s eyes. “They quit, and I’m here to crash. I forgot the front door doesn’t have a delay. When I remembered, I circled the house to come in through the garage.”
The alarm hadn’t gone off when Kash yanked it open. Why? He had seen Ledger arm the system. Kash focused on what he could. “How did you even get here?”
Valon headed for the garage without looking to see if Kash followed. “My manager.” He headed inside, basically ignoring Kash from that point. Valon moved down the hall and went inside the first room he came to. The door closed with a snap behind him.
Kash rolled his eyes and closed all the doors left open. He set the alarm before lightly knocking on Ledger’s bedroom door.
“All clear.”
Ledger opened the door. He didn’t look scared, only worried. “Everything good?”
Kash almost hated to tell him. “Yeah. It was Valon, stumbling around drunk as fuck and trying to find a way inside.”
Ledger blinked. “Valon is here?”
Kash nodded. “First room on the left down the second hallway.”
Ledger didn’t look happy or relieved. His every mannerism screamed he was divided. Ledger shifted from one foot to the other.
Kash fought for his life to stop himself from dropping his gaze to Ledger’s bare chest. They were the same height. He couldn’t check out Ledger’s body without Ledger noticing, but wow. No wonder Ledger had the world in an uproar.
“I’ll let him sleep it off.”
Kash had forgotten what they talked about.
“At least he’s here and not dead in a back alley somewhere.”
Oh, yeah. Valon. He was Ledger’s son. Ledger was old enough to be his father. Damn, he didn’t look it. Kash nodded along with everything Ledger said. Valon was long forgotten.
After a moment, silence penetrated his thoughts. Kash realized they stood in the doorway and stared at each other. Someone needed to break the heaviness that grew in the air.
Kash cleared his throat. “I guess I should get back to bed and let you getsome sleep.”
Ledger took a step back. “Yeah, you need to rest too. You’ve had a long day.”
Kash got his first decent look at Ledger’s bedroom. It looked cozy yet manly. His gaze moved to Ledger’s soft-looking bed. It was high and covered with thick blankets. The room was freezing, and a book sat on the bed. It was in Kash’s nature to be observant. Keeping his eyes and feet moving kept him alive.
He took a step back. “Goodnight, Ledger.” Saying his name was totally unnecessary. The name simply rolled from his tongue, sounding like a loving caress. Kash had to walk away. He wasn’t above fucking his ex’s dad. His moral compass stopped working a long time ago. He couldn’t disrespect Ledger, though. Ledger was special. Kash wouldn’t forget that.
Ledger stared at his closed bedroom door, seeing nothing. The way Kash said his name still rang in his ears. There was something sitting on his chest. Sadness like he hadn’t felt in years engulfed him. He turned. His empty bed waited for him. Ledger’s gaze skipped away from the depressing sight. He faced the door again. Maybe he should grab an entire bottle of wine and send himself intooblivion—as his son had done. Ledger’s feet didn’t budge. The way Kash’s mom had always done. He didn’t want to become that person. But Ledger couldn’t make his feet move toward the bed. His throat swelled. He felt emptier than he had in years. Any second, his heart would stop from the pressure closing in on him. His vision darkened at the edges. The door flew open.
Kash stood in the open doorway, looking furious. “Well, now I can’t fucking sleep.” He grabbed Ledger’s hand and towed him toward the bed. “It’s time for bed. If I can’t stay here, and see for myself you’re fine, I’ll never get any goddamn rest.”
His open fury brought a smile to Ledger’s lips and lifted the invisible weight suffocating him. “You need your sleep. Like I said, it’s been a long day for you.” Ledgerhad to stay focused on Kash’s health and not the fact they would be under the same covers.
Kash shot him an irritated look that had Ledger pressing his lips together to keep from laughing. “Quit thinking about everyone else first.” The words were gruff and sent chills down Ledger’s spine. He felt younger than he had in years. Ridiculously, Ledger wanted to get in bed and kick his feet like a little kid. Kash’s presence just brought out something in him. Something unnamed he hadn’t felt in years.
