Chapter 24
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
FIONA
Seb and B are in the kitchen making a shopping list, but really they’re bickering about snacks.
The Flurry mechanic called earlier saying my car is ready, so they’re making a trip to town and refuse to let me tag along.
They think it’s better that I remain hidden, and as much as I hate waiting around feeling useless, they’re probably right.
Despite our new location and the way the guys distract me to no end, I’m still nervous. Dennis found us at my dad’s cabin, and I thought it was safe. What if he finds us here too?
Which is why I’m making this phone call.
I haven’t talked to Micah in a while, but I know he’ll help me if I ask. I never wanted him involved in this. Plus, I always felt responsible for his family leaving. But now I have no choice.
I slip out the back door and curl up in a white plastic chair facing the woods. I hold the phone to my ear, listening to the ring. He picks up quickly.
“Fiona? Hey! Is everything okay?”
I smile when I hear his voice. It’s a little deeper now but still evokes memories of giggles, whispers, soft hands, and the scent of spearmint gum.
“Hey, Micah.” I sigh, my gut churning with the weight of what I’m about to ask.
“I won’t bullshit you. Things aren’t great right now.
” I swallow. “Something’s going on. With Dennis.
” He’s quiet for so long that I pull the phone back to make sure we’re still connected. “Micah?”
“Yeah, sorry, I’m here.” He clears his throat. “What can I do?”
I chew on my fingernail. “I have a number for a detective in Vancouver. They’re trying to pin charges on him. I’m going to tell her…everything. I was hoping that you’d talk to her too.”
“Everything? Are you sure?” His voice shakes a little.
“He’s stalking me, Micah. Like, the way he used to obsess over my mom. I—” I take a deep breath and blow it out. “I’m tired of being his prey. People I love are in danger.”
“What about people I love?” he asks quietly.
“I’m so sorry. I know it’s a lot to ask.
He’s worse than he was, Micah. I think Detective Lin can protect you—keep you anonymous.
She has contacts in the U.S. with the FBI.
But the charges they could press on top of assault?
He would be put away for a really long time.
” My voice takes on a determined edge. “He’d never see it coming. Please.”
“He hurt you again, Fiona?”
I shake my head even though he can’t see me and switch my phone to the other ear. “Not really. He tried, though. He will.”
“Okay,” he says finally. “Text me the number.”
“Thank you. I love you, Micah.”
“I love you too.”
The line goes dead, and I stare out at the white expanse. Despite the below-freezing temperatures, I feel hot and itchy. “This will work.”
I stand and wipe my sweaty hands on my jeans, but I pause when I notice a fresh set of tracks in the snow leading into the trees.
A chill sweeps through my body, prickling the back of my neck.
I’m pretty sure the guys haven’t been back here, but B did start a fire this morning, so maybe he gathered some wood.
I glance around wondering about nosy neighbors.
The back door opens, and I jump and turn.
B gives me a roguish smile. “Breakfast is almost ready.”
I push my suspicious thoughts aside and walk inside. Seb is flipping pancakes at the stove.
“Are you sure I can’t come to Flurry with you guys today?”
“No way.” Seb turns, brandishing a batter-covered spatula. “We’ve already established that someone might recognize you in town.”
I hold back a laugh when I notice his apron—it’s black and says “As if” in huge hot-pink letters. “Where did you get that?”
Seb glances down, one side of his mouth tugging up in a lopsided smile. “It was in the pantry closet with the dish towels. I didn’t want to get my favorite shirt dirty.”
“Speaking of…”
“Yeah, I know. Michaels and I should do laundry when we go into town too.” He turns back to the stove and deftly flips a pancake.
I gnaw on my lip, my eyes cutting to the window.
What if someone’s out there? Should I be alone?
If someone is around, wouldn’t they have already tried to hurt us? Why let us sleep through the night? It was probably a neighbor checking on the normally unoccupied house. In hindsight, the smoke from the chimney may not have been the best idea.
Sebastian slaps the last pancake on a dish and places it on the counter. My mouth waters at the rich aroma, and I grab my own plate, stack three pancakes on it, and douse them in maple syrup. I take a bite and moan as the fluffy, buttery goodness melts in my mouth.
I realize that it’s gone quiet, and I look up. “What?”
“Jesus, Fi. Buy it dinner first,” B says, watching me with hooded eyes.
“So much syrup,” Seb mutters, giving his head a disapproving shake. “Anyway, yeah, I think we should leave soon so that we’re back by dark.”
Brantley nods and then glances at me. “Will you be okay?”
“I’ve got books, tea, and cereal. What else do I need?”
Seb frowns. “There’s leftover lasagna from last night in the fridge. Please consider that over cereal.”
“Okay, Dad.”
Seb glares. B snickers before heading to the bedroom to dress.
I step close to Seb, raising myself on my tiptoes.
I press my lips to his, and Seb returns the kiss immediately, opening his mouth and allowing our tongues to move together slowly.
He leans into me, his hands running up my back and into my hair.
He smells like pancakes and earthy spice and citrus.
Heat builds between my legs, and I clutch his face as our connection grows more passionate.
Finally, we break apart, and I stare at his flushed cheeks and swollen lips.
“Be safe today,” I whisper against his mouth, and he gives an almost imperceptible nod. “And keep an eye on B.”
He huffs a laugh. “Baby, I’ve had an eye on him ever since he started frequenting the pub months ago.”
My heart swells. “Thank you.”
“For what?”
“Taking care of him when I couldn’t—when you didn’t have to.”
Seb shrugs. “I think I needed him as much as he needed me back then; I just didn’t realize it yet.”