Chapter 15
Paisley was sitting in a circle of children, reading a story about a bear and his best friend—a fish, of all things—when a large, muscular man strolled into the library. Her pulse ticked higher at the sight.
Dear God, he was still a beautiful man. He wore faded jeans, boots, and the navy blue One Shot Tactical polo shirt that clung to his chest like a lover.
His tattooed arms bulged with muscle, and she caught herself staring as he took off the mirrored aviators he wore and tucked them into the neck of his polo.
He jerked his chin in acknowledgment when their eyes met, but he didn’t head her way.
Instead, he went to the circulation desk where Fern sat, looking sour as she logged returned books into the computer.
Her expression changed when Ethan approached.
She actually smiled. Her gaze slid over him the same way most of the women’s in the library had, cataloguing all the gorgeous parts of him.
The parts that made panties melt and hearts pound.
Paisley couldn’t see if he smiled back or not.
She finished the story and excused herself as Megan took over with questions and another book.
Children’s story hour was popular, and Paisley loved participating when she had the time to do it.
Often, she didn’t. And right now, she thought she might be needed at the circulation desk.
Fern wasn’t smiling anymore as Ethan leaned casually on the counter in front of her. In fact, her face was paler than usual. Alarm flared, prickling the skin on Paisley’s arms.
“Ethan,” she said as she approached.
He turned to her, grinning huge, and her heart skipped a beat.
Did he have to be so damned handsome? And not only handsome, but good with Violet?
That was the biggest turn on of all. The way he’d been patient and kind when Violet peppered him with questions over the weekend, how he involved her when he was working—letting her hold screws for him, explaining what the cameras were for in a way that didn’t frighten her—and how he thought about what she wanted when he bought groceries or fixed a meal.
He was nothing like Trey. Nothing.
Not that she’d expected him to be, but being married to Trey had twisted everything she’d believed about men. To be around one who regulated his emotions and handled a child’s exuberance with ease was almost surreal.
“Hiya, Payz. Just talking to our friend Fern.”
Fern’s eyes were big. For once, she appeared at a loss for anything to say. Ethan turned back to her.
“I was explaining that burner phone numbers aren’t as untraceable as someone might believe, at least not for people like me who know where to look.
Oh, and how most stores have cameras now and you can actually see people buy groceries or phones or, you know, cans of paint.
Then again, when someone’s house has a red door, you don’t even need to find when and where they bought the paint.
Especially if you can tell the shade is the same as the paint used on another door. Remarkable, right?”
Paisley blinked. Then she looked at Fern. The woman’s face was red.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” she spat. “None.”
Ethan scratched his chin. “That’s okay, ma’am. Just be assured that if it happens again, it won’t be me coming for a friendly chat. It’ll be the police with an arrest warrant.”
Fern shoved her chair back and stood. Her face was mottled now. “How dare you threaten me? Who do you think you are?”
“Just a concerned citizen, ma’am. And I’m not threatening you. But you go ahead and call the PD. Chief Vance would love to speak to you, I’m sure.”
Fern spun on her heel and fled toward the back offices. Ethan straightened from his slouch against the counter. He towered over Paisley, but he didn’t make her feel unsafe or afraid.
“Was it her? How did you find out that fast?”
Ethan shrugged. “Don’t know if it was or not. Though she does have a red door, and she lives two streets over from you.”
Paisley stared. “You mean you said all that to her and you don’t even know? Ethan, are you sure that was wise?”
“Trust me, babe. I’ve spent years doing what I do, and I’ve got pretty good instincts about people. She might not have sent the text message, but she definitely painted the door.”
“How do you know that?”
“She has red paint under her fingernails. Didn’t scrub good enough, apparently.”
Paisley was surprised at the anger that boiled low in her belly.
“That absolute bitch,” she muttered. “She swanned in here this morning like nothing had happened, said good morning to Megan but not to me, then plopped her ass down here to take care of the tasks I’d assigned her last week.
And you think she’s responsible for the paint on my door? ”
Paisley tried not to hate people, because it was unproductive and there was a price to carrying it, but Fern was quickly joining Trey on the list of people she actively despised.
“Yeah, I do. Based on her reaction, I think the text was her too. She didn’t buy a phone, though. Probably used Google Voice and thinks it’s anonymous. Seth’s digging for info there. If she did it, we’ll know.”
“Why did you say all that to her then?”
“Because I think she’s a bitter woman who thinks she can get away with tormenting you, that maybe it’ll make you want to leave or something.
But she’s a bully and I hate fucking bullies.
You and Violet don’t need any more negativity in your lives right now.
If she didn’t do it, then fine, she can be self-righteous and indignant, and she can call Chief Vance and report me for harassing her. Bet you a dollar she won’t though.”
Paisley sighed. She thought he was probably right, but she wasn’t sure that making Fern angrier was the answer.
“Babe,” Ethan said, his voice softer than before. She tipped her chin up to meet his gaze. He was so tall. So much bigger than her. He could break her in two if he wanted. But she didn’t fear him. It was a nice feeling.
“Yes?”
He gave her a cocky grin. “I explained to her that absolutely any overt hostility toward you that made you uncomfortable would result in consequences. She may not be a ray of sunshine going forward, but she’s not going to yell at you and say shitty things in a library full of patrons.
And she’s not going to send you messages or vandalize your property.
I told her we’re watching her. Six full grown former special forces soldiers who know how to find things people prefer to hide. ”
Paisley’s jaw dropped a fraction before she remembered to shut it. “You’re crazy, you know that? But thank you. I appreciate that you want to help me.”
“Help you? Honey, I’ve got your back. We all do. Speaking of which, I had to tell the guys. About Trey, about us, about everything you’re going through. I’m sorry, but after this weekend you need more than just me looking out for you.”
The heat of shame rolled over her. It was a ridiculous reaction, but all she could think was if his friends knew, their women would know too. And then they’d look at her with something like pity and horror. She pressed a hand to her chest as if she could stop her heart from racing.
“Hey, you okay?”
She sucked in a breath. Counted to eight. Let it out again. How could she explain when he was only trying to help?
“I will be. I just…” She closed her eyes. “The book club. They’ve been so kind, and now they’ll know. And they’ll think I was dishonest for not telling them.” Her eyes bugged. “Oh my God, I actively denied having met you before moving to Sutton’s Creek!”
What would they think of her? They were so easygoing with each other, and they’d accepted her. And she hadn’t been honest.
Ethan took her hand and led her away from the desk and into the stacks. He took her all the way down one of the aisles to where it met the wall and turned her until her back was against the shelves. He didn’t crowd her, but he didn’t back away either. He tipped her chin up, studying her face.
She could drown in those golden green eyes of his. The pupil was ringed in a starburst of brown, but the rest of the iris was green. A darker green ring surrounded the exterior of the iris. Gold flecks dotted the green. Beautiful eyes. Distinctive.
The same eyes that stared back at her from Violet’s face.
A chill shuddered through her. He mistook it for a reaction to what they’d been discussing, which meant she didn’t have to explain. But he’d told his friends. They knew the truth now.
Somebody was going to ask questions about Violet eventually.
Those eyes.
Once you saw it, you couldn’t unsee it. But was she right or imagining things she wanted to be true?
“They won’t judge you, Payz. Those women are some of the strongest, kindest, fiercest people I know. You’ll be surprised if you let yourself believe in them.”
There was nothing she could say. The cat was out of the bag.
Elvis had left the building. And maybe it was a good thing.
Instead of shouldering her fear by herself, she’d have people who knew.
Even if she didn’t want to talk about it, having people who understood why she was afraid would help her feel like she wasn’t alone.
His hands slipped to her shoulders, held her. “You good?”
She nodded. “I’ll be fine. It’s just a bit of a shock. And Fern.” She flung her hand vaguely in the direction of the library. “I know it made sense that it was her, but I didn’t want to believe it really could be. Which is stupid because the alternative is so much worse.”
“Seth is working on finding Trey’s location. Once we know, we’ll keep tabs on him.”
The tightness in her chest eased. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. Where’s Violet today?”
“She’s with Aunt Hettie this morning, and then she’ll go over to Lily Park’s house this afternoon. I’ll pick her up after work.”
“Sounds like she’ll have a good day then.”
“I hope so. She likes Aunt Hettie’s big house with the secret hiding places, and she loves Lily and her family.”
She was babbling now. It had to be his proximity. The fact they were in a secluded area of the stacks. His overwhelming size. His scent—a mix of steel, leather, and the tang of gunpowder. Heady stuff.
And then there were his hands on her shoulders. His hands were smooth, but not in a soft way. Smooth and strong and firm.
It took her a moment to realize what that thing in her core was. A thing that uncoiled and slid through her limbs, softening them. Her body grew pliant and she knew without doubt her panties were damp.
Holy shit, Ethan Snow had done the impossible. He’d revived her sex drive. Not that she intended to tell him. No way.
“What’s that look of surprise, babe?”
“Uh, what? Nothing. Just remembered something I need to do.”
He grinned. It was sexy, masculine, and completely knowing. He leaned forward until she thought he might kiss her. Panic unfurled in her brain and her hands went up to his chest—but to push or pull? She didn’t know.
His lips brushed her forehead. Then he straightened.
“I’ll let you get back to work. I’ve got some things to do. But I’ll see you later.”
“Later?” she said stupidly.
“When I pick you and Violet up and take you to dinner.”
He stepped back, still grinning, and then pivoted on his heel and strode down the middle of the stacks like he owned the damn library.
Sexy. Self-assured.
And so very dangerous to her heart.