Chapter 12
Chapter Twelve
Tanner stood in the doorway of Sylvie and Ethan’s townhouse. “Faith?”
She was sitting on the couch, hugging herself around the middle. She looked up, and Tanner didn’t even think. He opened his arms.
She dashed toward him. He wrapped her up and held her tight.
She’d sounded so terrified on the phone, telling him some guy had broken into her house.
Tanner had hardly breathed on his drive over here.
He’d run a couple of red lights, too, which hadn’t been the wisest decision.
But he was here now. He’d make sure she was safe.
There were police officers milling around and filling out paperwork, but he didn’t pay them much attention.
“Did they catch the fucker?” Tanner asked, a dark edge to his voice.
“No. He was gone by the time they arrived.”
“Jesus, you’re hurt.” She had the beginnings of a bruise on her cheek. “Did anything else happen? Do you need to go to the hospital?”
“No. Just… I was so scared.” Faith buried her face against his chest. Her tears wet the fabric of his shirt. He wished he knew what to do to make her feel better, but he figured this would work for the moment. Just holding her, comforting her as best he could.
She explained that the officers had searched the house, but there’d been no sign of the intruder. She’d pulled up the video of him on the security system and was supposed to send the clips to the police via email.
“Did he take anything?” Tanner asked.
“I don’t think so. He went through the house like he was looking for something.” Faith blinked rapidly. “His name’s Kyle. He’s one of Jon’s…not friends. But someone Jon knows.”
Her ex. Tanner’s pulse raced again.
“Kyle was asking for a ‘delivery.’ But it made no sense. Jon had already taken that box. And I don’t even see why Kyle would want those old dishes.”
Unless he hadn’t been talking about the same delivery.
“Ms. Townsend?” an officer said. “We just have a few more things to go over for your statement.”
“Oh. Sure.”
Tanner went into the living room with her, and he didn’t leave her side while she finished reciting every detail she could recall.
“Do you know where your husband is living?” the officer asked.
“No. But I can give you his license plate. He said he’s been sleeping in his truck.”
Somehow, her ex was tied up in this. But if Jon and this Kyle guy were working together, then why had Kyle expected to find a package at Faith’s house? Why wouldn’t the two men have just talked to one other?
What were they up to?
The officers finished up and promised a detective would contact her. She and Tanner walked to the front. The police left, and Faith shut and locked the door.
She turned around, fully looking at Tanner for the first time since he’d arrived.
Her eyes shot wide, and she covered her mouth with her hand.
“It’s just a haircut.” He scratched at his beard, what little of it there was left.
“I can’t believe I didn’t notice before.”
“You were distracted.”
“It’s, um…”
“Not bad?” he supplied. “I hope?”
She snickered. “Not bad.”
He hoped it was slightly better than that. He didn’t even know what he’d been expecting. She viewed him as a friend, right? Why would she care if he changed his look?
Faith ducked her head. “Thanks for coming tonight. I just didn’t know who else to call.”
“I offered to be your bodyguard if you ever needed me, and I meant it. I’m happy to be here. Always.”
“Right.” But she seemed resigned instead of reassured. Probably because she never should’ve needed a bodyguard at all. He wished he could box up Jon and Kyle and ship them to the North Pole. Here’s your delivery, assholes.
“I need to clean up the mess that’s left,” she said.
“I can help.”
Tanner went around the house with her, putting things back into closets and wiping up dirty shoe prints.
Faith kept sneaking looks at him as they worked.
“You’re making me self-conscious,” he said.
“Why? You…look good. I promise.”
“You’re laughing at me.”
“I’m not. I was thinking maybe I should get a haircut, too.”
He frowned at her. “Don’t do that.”
“Why?” Faith gathered her hair into her fist. “I’ve always worn it long, and I think I’m tired of it. This stuff is always getting in the way.”
Because your hair is beautiful. Because I want to run it through my fingers. Feel it brush my bare skin while we…
Okay, those images were not appropriate. He was supposed to be comforting her right now. Not picturing her naked.
“Please don’t cut it?” Tanner said, softer this time.
She glanced away. “Maybe I won’t.”
They finished cleaning and went back to the downstairs living room.
“Are Ethan or Sylvie coming back here tonight?” he asked.
“No. They’re staying in Los Angeles. Theater tickets or something with Nic and Luis.” Her eyes shone with tears again. “I’m sure one of them would come back if I asked, but I don’t want to ruin their night.”
He couldn’t just leave her here. “Then why don’t you stay at my place? With me?”
“What?”
“I’d stay here with you, but I was thinking you might prefer a change of scenery.
Or, I could drive you to a hotel. You make the call.
” Maybe he’d been indulging in some naughty fantasies about her naked, but his intentions were entirely honorable.
He just wanted her to be able to sleep and feel secure.
“Your place sounds good. If you don’t mind.”
Without his permission, his heart did an eager dance in his chest.
“Grab your stuff, lock up here, and we’ll head over.”