Chapter 9 #2
“It’s not just Nora,” he replies. “It’s all of Blade and Arrow. And the police. And the rest of my friends. They all want to help.”
“I can’t afford to hire Blade and Arrow,” I protest. “And really, it’s not the kind of case they take on.
Some broken windows? A mysterious burglar who stole some fruit and a rug?
Unidentified footprints outside my house?
They deal with dark web crap and stalkers and stuff like that.
Not some local who’s still holding a grudge against me. ”
Kane looks at me very seriously. “Sweetheart. Those things you just said? I don’t want to scare you, but that’s how a lot of stalking cases start.
Small things that escalate. What if it’s not rocks through the windows next time?
What if they set your house on fire? Or decide to…
Shit. Anything could happen. And that’s unacceptable. ”
A shudder racks my body. “I’m sure no one would?—”
“You don’t know , Jess. You think it’s just someone with a grudge. But until we catch this person?—”
“Assuming it’s one person,” I interject. “Considering how many people don’t like me in town…”
His jaw turns to stone. “Which is bullshit. These assholes need to get a life. Stop fucking messing with you when—” On an exhale, he continues in a calmer tone, “It’s not okay, sweetheart.
And I know you’ve been trying to deal with this on your own.
But that’s over now. I’ve got your back. And by extension, so do my friends.”
Without warning, my eyes prickle with tears. My nose stings. “Kane.”
“I mean it, Jess. You are not alone anymore. Okay? Will you let me help? Let my friends help? Let your friends help.” Before I can answer, he adds, “Yes, your friends. Nora. Thea. Ari. Don’t you think they want to help? ”
“I didn’t want to drag Nora into it,” I mumble. “And Thea and Ari… we’re just starting to be friends again.”
“Well, they care.” Adjusting me on his lap, Kane strokes my hair as he holds my gaze.
“I made some calls first thing this morning. Grant is headed over to your house to fix the windows. Thea is working with a cleaning company to clear up all the glass. Ari and Cash volunteered to go over to pack up some of your things. And?—”
“Wait. What? Pack up my things?”
Pink touches his cheeks again. And if I wasn’t so unsettled by all these recent developments, I’d spend more time appreciating just how cute Kane is when he blushes.
“Well. I was thinking… You could stay here. Just until we figure out who’s behind everything. You’ll be safe, and you won’t have to worry about paying for a hotel room. It’ll be great. Like having a date every night.”
“You want me to stay here? After today?”
“If you don’t want to, I get it. But yes, I do.
Not just because I think it’s the safest option aside from you staying at Blade and Arrow, but because I want you here.
Not that I’m expecting you to sleep in my bed.
We can fix up the guest room however you want.
Or you can sleep in my bedroom and I’ll take the guest bed. Whatever you want.”
For a moment, my brain stalls on the sleeping in the same bed part.
I’d be lying if I claimed I never thought about sleeping with Kane.
Not just sleeping, cuddled up against his big body with his arm wrapped securely around me, but having sex with him.
Falling asleep naked with our limbs intertwined.
Waking up to feel his morning arousal nudging at my back.
Touching his velvety heat and feeling him grow thick and hard in my hand.
“Jess?” Kane’s eyebrows pull into a worried V. “Would you rather stay at Blade and Arrow? I talked to Cole and he said the client apartment is available. So you could go there instead. I’d prefer you stay here, but we’ll do whatever makes you most comfortable.”
“You talked to Cole about me?”
Cole is the founder of Blade and Arrow Security, and I’ve met him several times through Nora. He’s nice, albeit a little intimidating, but I suppose that’s natural given the whole former Special Forces and head of a national security company thing.
“I did,” Kane affirms. “This morning. Just before I came out to the kitchen. And he agrees with me; what’s happening to you merits investigation. And protection. So he’s volunteered to help. Or, rather, the entire team is going to help.”
“But the money…”
“You know they take pro-bono cases. And given your friendship with Nora, do you really think they wouldn’t help?”
“Nora knows, then?” Fear stabs into my belly. Nora’s my closest friend in Sleepy Hollow. What if she’s mad at me for keeping this from her? What if this messes up our friendship? What if?—
“She knows, sweetheart.” Kane cups my cheek, brushing his thumb lightly across my skin. “And she’s worried about you. That’s what Cole said. But I’m sure she’ll tell you herself when she gets here.”
I jerk up straight. “When she gets here?”
“Yeah. Cole, Nora, and Leo should be coming over—” He checks his watch.
“In about an hour and a half. Not that I don’t think the police department is good.
And you know Oliver and I will be pushing the chief to be as aggressive as possible with your case.
But with B and A involved, it gives us more…
flexibility. Less red tape to deal with.
You know they can do things that legally, as a cop, I can’t. ”
I’m not sure what to say. My emotions are like pinballs bouncing around in my head.
So much has happened in such a short time—the fear and devastation of last night, the joy of my relationship with Kane, fear of alienating my few friends, worry that I’ll be accused of making things up again—that it’s hard to make sense of everything.
“It’s going to be okay,” Kane adds confidently.
“I promise, sweetheart. The worst is over. Now we have a plan. B and A will help investigate. We’ll get your house fixed.
You’ll be safe here with me. And—” His lips cover mine for a second.
“We’ll get to spend every night together.
Playing Tenebris Veil , watching movies, cuddling, kissing… ”
Well. When he puts it that way, it doesn’t sound so bad.
Still. I can’t resist asking, “You’re sure you won’t get sick of me? You’ve been living on your own for a long time.”
“I have been living on my own a long time,” he replies. “Because I wanted to. There wasn’t anyone I wanted to live with.” He pauses. “Sweetheart. If I didn’t want you here, I wouldn’t have asked you to stay. I would have pushed you to go to B and A. Or a hotel. This is where I want you to be. ”
Oh.
Happiness fizzes up inside me again.
Despite the chaos, I find myself smiling.
Then I put my hand on Kane’s bristly cheek and lean in to kiss him.
“This is where I want to be, too.”