Chapter 7
Mitch’s phone buzzed on the passenger seat just as he turned onto Main. He grabbed it, thumbed open the text, and read Izzy’s short message.
Back at Sadie’s. Everything’s quiet, for now.
He didn’t like that last part, ‘for now’. Hopefully it would stay quiet. He replied quickly.
Stay alert and keep me posted.
He pulled into his driveway and parked, wincing as he climbed out of the truck. His rib ached, the muscles in his back were tight, and he hadn’t eaten anything more substantial than a granola bar since breakfast. But his first stop wasn’t the kitchen. It was the small gun safe behind the bookshelf.
He unlocked it and pulled out his compact field kit, spare mags, a discreet sidearm, flashlight, and a burner phone.
Just in case. He had no hard proof yet, but every bone in his body screamed that something was coming.
And Izzy was smack in the middle of it. And somehow, in the blink of an eye, she became important to him.
He liked her. Her spunk and her sass, and well, just her.
After running through the latest camera footage and checking in with Jayson, he finally allowed himself a short rest, just twenty minutes to let the meds kick in. He focused on shutting off his mind for a few winks, and finally, his eyelids felt heavy, and he let them close.
The blare of his phone jolted him upright.
He answered on the first ring. “What’s wrong?”
Sadie’s voice was tight. “Izzy’s okay, but someone just tried to get in the back door. She screamed. I called the police. Mitch... it wasn’t Travis. He’s not here.”
Mitch was already grabbing his keys. “I’m on my way. Don’t let Izzy out of your sight.”
He broke a handful of traffic laws getting across town. When he pulled up in front of Sadie’s house, two squad cars were already parked along the curb. He spotted Trey near the side of the house, talking to one of the neighbors.
Izzy stood on the porch, arms wrapped tightly around herself, eyes wide with barely contained fear. Sadie stood beside her, equally shaken but trying to be strong.
Mitch climbed out of his truck and went straight to her.
She didn’t wait. She stepped forward and walked right into his arms.
“I’m okay,” she murmured against his chest. “But it scared me so bad. He was right at the door. Rattling it. I thought he was going to come through.”
He held her tightly, resting his chin against the top of her head. Her body shook against his, and it created a riot of emotions in him. Anger. Fear for her, and that feeling when you enjoy being with someone. “You did the right thing. You called. You stayed inside.”
“I couldn’t see him. Just his shape. Hoodie. Tall. That’s it.”
Trey joined them a moment later. “Whoever it was didn’t leave much. No clear prints. A couple of boot scuffs in the mulch. We’ll check neighborhood cameras, but it was fast and clean. Like he was testing the response time.”
Mitch’s jaw clenched. “Escalation.”
Trey nodded. “Big time.”
Sadie’s voice was small. “She can’t stay here, Mitch. Not while he’s out there. Not with Travis coming and going. I can’t keep her safe.”
Mitch's jaw tightened. She needed someplace safe. “I can,” tumbled from his lips.
Izzy looked up at him, eyes searching his. “I don’t want to be a burden.”
“You’re not.”
“Mitch…”
“No more arguing,” he said, his voice low but firm. “Pack your things. You’re staying with me.”
What in the hell was he doing? He needed a safe house.
He knew Marco and Theresa had a house that would make a security company jealous.
That thought made him grin, and he admitted he was a tad jealous.
But he had cameras and safety equipment all around his condo.
Cameras outside. Inside pointed to the entry door.
And inside his condo, he had alarms, cameras, and weapons.
One way or another, she'd be safe at his place until they could figure this out.
Izzy stood stone-still, staring at him. He looked into her eyes. He didn't see anger or distrust. He saw sparkling green eyes, the prettiest shade of green he'd ever seen, staring back at him.
Then, slowly, she nodded.
Sadie gave her a quiet hug. “You’ll be okay. I’ll check in every day.”
"Thanks, Sadie."
She looked into his eyes once more. "I'll follow you in my van."
Her hands were trembling, and her bottom lip quivered. "Leave your van here. We'll come back for it. Plus, it's a large sign to alert anyone and everyone where you are. Not many pink vans around town."
"But what if he damages it?"
"Better it than you."
Her shoulders sank forward, and his heart hurt for her. Things seemed to keep piling on.
He helped her into his truck and saw her glance out the window every few seconds as they drove, like she was expecting the figure in the hoodie to appear in the rearview mirror.
He felt the same way and knew that man was close. He just needed to make a mistake so Mitch or Blossom Springs PD could catch him.
After pulling into his usual parking space at the condo, he pointed up to the corner of the building through his windshield.
"See that camera?"
Izzy craned her neck, then nodded. "Yeah."
"Good. That will capture anyone driving into the parking lot. The span is from that empty building over there..." He pointed to the empty building set aside for Phase Three of the Barrack's plan. "To all the way over there." He pointed to the fence line on the opposite side of them.
"Okay."
He nodded and opened his door. He meant to open hers and help her out of the truck, but she beat him to it and met him on the sidewalk in front of his truck.
He still moved slowly. He opened the entry door for her and pointed to the camera above the pool tables.
"That camera there is focused on the door. "
Izzy looked up at the camera and nodded. He held his hand out toward the hall, and she preceded him to his condo. Before he unlocked the door to his place, he pointed to the corner near the ceiling. "That camera is focused on this door."
"It sure looks like you're prepared."
He grunted. "Yeah. Security and all."
"Right."
He pushed the door open and let her enter before him. "Just past the living room, the door on the left is the spare bedroom. Feel free to take that room. I'm in the one at the end of the hall. The bathroom across from the door to your room is yours."
She nodded. "I do need to get some clothes. Any chance I'll be able to get into my apartment today?"
"I'll call Trey and see if they will allow it and if they think the building is safe."
"Okay.
He pulled his phone from his pocket and dialed Trey's number.
He watched Izzy look his place over. She'd already been here briefly, but now she seemed to take more stock in it.
She neared the window facing the parking lot and noticed the sensors on the corners.
Pride flowed through him as she seemed comforted by his level of security.
Trey answered on the first ring. "Mitch."
"Izzy is wondering if she can get inside her place to get some clothing."
"Yeah. The fire department has cleared the structure for safety.
The fire was contained to the very back of the greenhouse.
The windows up front had the rocks tossed in, and the Molotov tossed into that window only burned the very front of the inside of the building.
It'll take some work to rehab it, but structurally, it's sound. Mostly cosmetic damage."
"Thanks, Trey."
"No problem. I'll keep you posted on any of our findings."
"Roger."
He pocketed his phone and glanced up to see Izzy staring at him. She was a pretty woman. Her long blonde hair was pulled into a ponytail today, but even pulled back, it suited her.
"Trey said you can go in. The building is structurally sound. Are you ready to go now?"
"Yes, please. I'm so anxious to see how much damage there is."
"Okay. Let's go over now."
She nodded and softly padded to the door. Mitch pulled it open and waited for her to pass him. He could smell her fresh scent, and that sent a thrill through his body.
As they exited the vehicle at Petal Pushers, he heard her exhale a deep breath.
She was steeling herself for what she was about to see.
They both stepped on the front porch, scorched flowers hung from the broken window.
The strong smell of burnt wood hung in the air, and the dampness of the wood from the fire hoses emitted an aroma that reminded him of putting out a campfire.
Izzy unlocked the front door and stepped inside. Water covered the floor, and many of the plants had been blown off their display shelves either from the fire or the water hoses. Izzy picked up a few of them and tried standing them up.
"This will take a few days to clean up," she mumbled.
"It will. But we'll find help," he offered.
She turned to him and smiled.
Taking another deep breath, she moved toward a door at the back of the room. "This is the entrance to my apartment."
He followed her up the stairs, grateful his rib didn't bark with every step. The apartment was cute. Decorated in pretty colors, mostly pastels and grays. Everything up here smelled of smoke, and the ash from the fire found its way up, too.
Izzy stood quietly, looking around at the mess, a lone tear tracked down her cheek.
He felt so bad for her; she looked nearly defeated. Then, as if she were a phoenix, she squared her shoulders and took a deep breath. "Okay. I'll gather a few things. I'm afraid they'll need to be washed or I'll be a walking ad for fire protection."
He chuckled, "I have a washer and dryer in the condo, you're welcome to them."
She nodded her head. "Thank you."
She pulled a suitcase from the closet and strode down a short hall to another room, which he assumed was her bedroom.
He looked around her cute apartment and the way she decorated it.
She had an eye for detail. The picture frames were painted to match the trim work around the doors and windows.
She had a mix of older decorative items and newer ones.
But they worked together. Design was never something he cared much about.
If his condo hadn't already been decorated, it wouldn't have been done by him.
Izzy emerged with a suitcase wheeling behind her. "I think I have most of what I need."
"We can always come back, but please don't come back unless someone is with you. Not until I can get the security cameras set up. I have help coming in the morning."
"Okay."
He slowly leaned down to help her with her suitcase and felt the sharp pain run across his ribs. He froze to breathe it out, and Izzy scolded. "No, you don't. I can do this, you need to heal."
He righted himself and nodded. He hated being unable to do everyday things.
They descended the stairs, and she locked the door to her apartment. She looked around the room. "Do you think I'll be able to come here tomorrow while you're installing cameras and begin cleaning up?"
"I think that's a great idea."
That put a smile on her face, and he was happy for it. She was a beautiful woman all the time, but when she smiled, she was a stunner.
He drove them to Sadie's place to pick up her van and deposited it at the flower shop. Then he drove her home to his place.
"How about we call the Sandbar and order dinner? I'll have it delivered."
"That sounds great. I am getting hungry."
She pulled out her phone and swiped a few times. "I'll have chicken wings in garlic parmesan sauce, please."
He nodded as he dialed the number. It was a speed dial call for him.
Later, when the house was still and the lights were low, he stood in the doorway to her room. She had just showered, and the aroma of her soap hung in the air. His place never smelled so good.
“You need anything?”
She shook her head, voice soft. “No. Just… maybe don’t go far.”
"I'll be in my room next door. The alarms are set for the night. You're safe here."
"Thank you."
He turned to leave, "Mitch?"
"Yeah." He turned to see her in the dim lamplight of her room. "Thank you for everything. I don't know how I'll repay you."
He shook his head. "No need for repayment. I want to make sure you're safe. You've become important to me."
Her lips turned up into a soft smile. "You've become important to me, too."