Tainted by Jamie Begley Page B

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 got ten 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