Guarding What’s Mine (Men of Maddox Security #3)

Chapter 8

Aubree

The air smells fresh as we walk into the store, the crisp scent of pine trees and the faint whiff of something sugary from the bakery section. I can’t help but feel a little out of place, like I’m a world away from my pizza shop in Nashville, surrounded by the calm and stillness of Boone’s cabin. But here I am, wandering the aisles with Boone in tow, looking for whatever supplies we’ll need to get through the next few days. It’s a strange feeling, this mix of tension and peace, and I’m not sure how to process it all.

We’re standing in the canned goods aisle when I spot him—a familiar face I didn’t expect to see here. Hank.

I freeze for a moment, staring at him as he pushes his cart down the aisle. He’s one of the regulars at the pizza shop—always orders the same thing: a large meat lover’s pizza, extra cheese. He’s the kind of guy who doesn’t say much but likes to linger at the counter, always asking me how the shop is doing, offering unsolicited advice about how I should “run the place better.” He’s a handyman from town, a big guy with a thick beard and arms that look like they could lift anything. But there’s something about seeing him here, so far from Nashville, that makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand up.

“Hank?” I call out hesitantly, stepping toward him.

He looks up, his eyes lighting up with recognition. “Well, if it isn’t the famous pizza lady. What’re you doing all the way out here, Aubree?”

I try to smile, but there’s an odd feeling in my chest. Something feels... off. Boone’s right beside me, puffing his chest out with one glance at Hank. “Just picking up some supplies.”

Hank’s face softens with that knowing look. “I heard you closed the shop for a few weeks. You doin’ okay?”

I nod, though I’m not entirely sure if I should be telling him anything about what happened. It’s not like we’re close, and I don’t need the whole town buzzing about me being followed around by security. “I’m fine. Just... need a break, I guess.”

He gives me a slow nod, looking me over like he’s not convinced. “Well, if you need anything fixed, you know where to find me. I’m always around, even if you don’t see me much. Got a lot of projects I’m working on.”

I’m about to answer when I feel a shift in the air beside me. Boone’s body is tense, and his eyes are scanning Hank like he’s trying to figure out what exactly Hank is doing here. I can see Boone’s hand inching toward his jacket, the subtle shift of his posture telling me he’s on high alert.

“Who’s he?” Hank asks, turning his attention to Boone for the first time. He doesn’t seem to notice the way Boone’s eyes narrow.

I glance at Boone, and he shoots me a quick look. “I’m her boyfriend.” His voice is casual, but there’s something in the way he says it that makes Hank straighten up, just a little.

Hank chuckles, clearly unaware of the underlying tension. “I didn’t realize Aubree had a man. That’s cool. I’m just picking up a few things for the house. You know, I live a couple miles outside of Nashville, but I come in here when I need to grab supplies. You know how it is.”

I nod, though I can’t shake the feeling that something about this is... strange. Hank is a regular at the pizza shop, so it’s not like I haven’t seen him before. It’s weird to think of him being this far out, but maybe he likes this place.

“Well, it was nice to run into you, Hank,” I say, my voice sounding a little too high-pitched even to me. “I should get going.”

Boone steps forward, just a little too close, and places a hand lightly on my shoulder, his body shielding mine from Hank’s gaze. “We’re in a bit of a hurry,” he says, his tone not quite friendly. “Have a good day.”

Hank raises his eyebrows, but he doesn’t press. “Sure thing. Take care, Aubree.”

We make our way out of the aisle quickly, Boone walking just a touch ahead of me, the tension rolling off him in waves. I feel the sudden urge to ask him what’s going on, but I hold my tongue. We reach the checkout counter, and as we start loading up the items, I glance at Boone, his jaw tight, his eyes cold. He doesn’t look at me, but I can tell he’s deep in thought.

He told Hank he was my boyfriend, and honestly, I’m not mad about that. In fact, I give myself permission to imagine what it would be like to really be his. I can’t stop the goofy smile on my face, and once we’re outside, I bring myself back to reality.

When we’re loading the bags into the truck, Boone finally speaks. His voice is low, deliberate. “You know him well?”

I nod, unsure how to answer. “Hank’s a regular at the pizza shop. He’s done some work for some of the other places in town. I don’t really know him all that well, though. He’s just a local handyman.”

Boone doesn’t look convinced. “Something’s off. What’s he doing this far from Nashville?”

I swallow, feeling the knot tighten in my stomach. “I don’t know. Maybe he just likes shopping at this place.” I gesture to the store that’s a good hour from Nashville.

Boone’s eyes narrow, and I can see the wheels turning in his head. “I’ll have Dean run a check on him. Got a last name for Mr. Handyman?”

I nod, unsure what to think of the situation. “Arnold.”

“I didn’t like the way he was looking at you,” Boone says, his tone firm. “Stay alert, Aubree. I don’t trust anyone right now.”

His words settle in my chest like a stone. The uneasy feeling I had when I first saw Hank resurfaces, and I can’t shake it. Something isn’t right, and I don’t know how to make sense of it. But I’ll keep my eyes open, just like Boone says. Maybe it’s nothing. Maybe it’s everything. Either way, I’m not taking any chances.

As we drive back to the cabin, the weight of Boone’s words lingers in the air, thick with unspoken concern. I don’t know who to trust anymore, but I know one thing for sure: I’m not going to ignore anything that feels wrong.