Chapter 19
CHAPTER NINETEEN
S omething had shifted. Scarlet didn’t know what. But sometime between being sequestered in the diner’s office, not knowing what was going on in the restaurant, to now, listening to Bean, Gavin, and Matt discuss their next steps, something had changed between her and Matt. There was a newfound ease she couldn’t quite describe. A familiarity that warmed her heart.
Scarlet wasn’t a touchy-feely person. In fact, aside from a very select group of friends that she could list on one hand, she strived to keep her personal bubble intact. After a lifetime of that bubble being disregarded, it was something she was actively conscious of.
But with Matt? It felt as if holding his hand was the only thing keeping her from flying off a cliff of anxiety. Every time he laced their fingers together or laid his hand on her back or squeezed her shoulders or tucked a lock of hair behind her ear, she felt...
Protected. Cared for. Safe.
Minutes ago, he’d cupped her face in his hands, kissed her cheek, and stunned her with the sweetest words she’d ever heard. Her stomach still fluttered from the thought, along with... something else. Beneath that sweetness and comfort was a simmering heat that was both unexpected and breathtaking.
“So, that’s basically the gist of it,” Bean said, pulling Scarlet from her musings.
She glanced between Bean, Gavin, Matt, and the giant screen, not wanting to admit she’d tuned out the conversation. Rehashing her past with them, even the bare-bones version of it, had been exhausting. So, when they’d begun discussing the technology they were using to track the mystery guy, her mind had wandered. She barely had a ninth-grade education—she wasn’t putting herself down, just stating the facts—and she didn’t understand a tenth of what they’d been talking about.
Scarlet waved at the screen with her free hand. “I’m not familiar with all the jargon and stuff?—”
“We can go over it again,” Bean offered.
She shook her head. “Oh no. That’s okay. I trust you guys know what you’re doing. I’ll just have Matt give me a summary of the highlights later.” Hopefully, in English.
Peeking over at Matt, she was met with a grin, as if he knew exactly what she was thinking. “I can do that, sweetheart.”
Gavin’s phone dinged, drawing everyone’s attention. After reading the message, his gaze locked on Scarlet’s, and she did her best to not squirm. There was no other way about it. The man was intense.
“Quinn found your purse near one of the dumpsters at the ferry dock. All the cash and cards were gone, but your driver’s license was still in it.” He gestured to the screen. “I let him know about what happened earlier today, and he doesn’t think it’s related.”
“So it was a random break-in?” Matt asked.
Her mind spun, and her eyes ping-ponged between the two men. She had no idea if the news was a good thing or a bad thing.
Gavin nodded. “There was some drug paraphernalia dumped near her purse, too. And he said that a handful of rental properties over by the wineries have been broken into over the last couple weeks. With the electronics that were taken from Wayland’s other apartment, he thinks it was most likely a grab-and-go?—”
“A grab-and-go?” she asked.
“It’s also called a smash-and-grab robbery. Basically, a crime of opportunity where someone quickly grabs whatever they can sell fast for cash,” Gavin explained, then glanced at Bean. “Quinn’s going to send you what he has. I’d like you to double-check things.”
“Of course, boss,” Bean replied, her fingers already flying over her keyboard.
Letting go of Matt’s hand, Scarlet leaned back in her seat and crossed her arms over her chest. “Why are we ruling out the crimes being related? Couldn’t the mystery guy have broken into my apartment while he was looking for me?”
Gavin pursed his lips, then shook his head. “I don’t think so. If the mystery guy already knows where you live, then why bother with the photo at the diner? He’d be more likely to watch your place, learn your movements, then make his move. Not break in and go around asking about you afterward. Truthfully, the fact that he’s showing your photo around is sloppy.”
Gavin’s explanation made sense. But that meant they were no closer to finding out who the mystery guy was or who had broken into her apartment. Which was terrifying. A shiver ghosted down her spine, and she rubbed her hands over her arms.
“Scarlet, are you okay with me digging into your past?” Bean asked.
No. Not at all. That was the very last thing Scarlet wanted.
Even with the basic information she’d provided everyone, she was certain the other woman’s cyber skills were indeed magic. She worried what Bean would find. But if it kept Daisy safe, Bean could dig all she wanted. Because Daisy was what mattered most. “Go ahead. But please keep what you find need-to-know.”
“Of course,” Bean said, giving her a reassuring smile.
“Ready to get out of here?” Matt asked, laying a hand on her shoulder.
She nodded. “Please.”
After saying thanks to Gavin and Bean, Scarlet followed Matt out to his truck. He passed through the security gates and turned in the opposite direction of his house, where she’d assumed they were going. After a few miles, she realized they were heading back downtown, and she suppressed a sigh. She really didn’t want to return to work, but she still had a few hours until she had to pick up Daisy, so whatever. Might as well. Besides, she was certain Matt had other stuff to do.
She frowned as they passed Ray’s Diner without slowing.
Okaaay.
Spotting Hudson Island Antiques, everything clicked into place. Of course. “I appreciate the ride back to my car...” Her frown deepened as they passed her apartment. She pointed behind them. “Um, Matt, my car is...”
“I’ll have one of the guys bring your car to the house later today.”
She stared at him, but he kept his focus on the road. “Matt, where are we...”
He pulled up in front of Rebecca’s and put his truck in Park. “I don’t know about you, Scar, but I could sure use a quiet afternoon at the house. Especially after hearing Bean explain all the tech she’s implemented. My brain is damn near fried. What do you say we pick up Daisy and do another early dinner and a movie night?”
Her jaw dropped. God, this man was wonderful. “That sounds gre—oh wait! We have to get Daisy’s car seat from my car first.”
“Nah, we’re good,” he said, cutting the engine.
Scarlet spun around, jaw dropping again when she saw the back bench. In the center was a car seat. Swinging her gaze back to Matt, she noticed the slight flush on his cheeks. “How... When did you get that?”
“I can’t take credit for it.”
Her eyebrow arched. She’d beg to differ.
“I don’t know if you’ve met Esme?” When Scarlet shook her head, he continued, “She’s Hudson Security’s go-to person for anything they need.” He shrugged, and the pink tinge on his cheeks deepened. “I may have mentioned that you and Daisy are staying with me for the next few weeks. I told her about Daisy—how even though she’s four, she’s a tiny little thing. I also gave her the brand of car seat you use. It’s no big deal. This way, we don’t have to switch the clunky thing back and forth between our vehicles.”
She bit the inside of her cheek to keep from smiling. No big deal? The man was wonderful and delusional.
“Let’s go,” he said gruffly, reaching for the door handle.
She grabbed his arm, stilling him. She waited until he met her gaze, until the heat in his eyes gave her courage. Then she trailed her fingers down his forearm and caught his hand. Bringing it to her lips, she pressed a kiss to his knuckles. “Thank you, Matt.”
His jaw clenched, and she swore he let out a low growl. His voice was like gravel when he whispered, “You’re welcome, sweetheart. Now let’s get Daisy.”
When they met on the sidewalk, he reclaimed her hand. Scarlet’s heart expanded, and she couldn’t have stopped her grin if she’d tried. Who would have thought she’d actually be able to smile after the last couple of hours?
Katie let them in the front door, and two seconds after walking inside, an exuberant “Matty!” greeted their arrival. Her daughter, hot-pink cast and all, shot across the room and threw herself into Matt’s arms.
“Hey, Otter Pop,” he said, catching Daisy with ease. He swung her in a circle before setting her on his hip.
Scarlet’s heart threatened to explode. Ohmygod, this man...
“Hi, Mama!” Daisy shouted with her arms outstretched and lips puckered.
Taking her daughter from Matt, she gave Daisy a noisy kiss.
Matt gestured across the room to where Flora and Xander stood. “I’m going to talk to Xander before we take off. I’ll be quick, though.”
“Take your time,” she replied, squeezing Daisy extra tight and inhaling her fruity scent. A lump formed in her throat. No one was going to hurt her little girl.
“Mama, you’re squishing me.”
“Sorry, baby,” she murmured, softening her hold. “We’re going to go home early today. We’ll make some dinner, and Matt was thinking of maybe doing another movie night.”
“Mmm-kay.” Daisy burrowed her face into Scarlet’s neck. “Do you think Matty will make me popcorn and M&M’s again?”
She ran her hand over her daughter’s hair. “I’m sure if you ask Matt nicely, he can put a small bowl together for you.”
Daisy sat up in her arms, and her bottom lip wobbled. “A small bowl?”
Her eyebrow arched. “A small bowl or no bowl at all.”
Daisy grinned before resting her head back on Scarlet’s shoulder. “Small bowl.”