Chapter 8
The crystal-clear images playing on the computer monitor in Reid’s office tightened the muscles in Eve’s stomach. She sat in the soft leather bucket seat, Reid and Madden standing beside her, with her hands clenched in her lap.
“There,” Reid said, jabbing his index finger toward the screen. “That son of a bitch walked right up to her car, stabbed something into the tire, then walked away.”
“Man’s got balls,” Madden said, his voice as rigid as his wide-legged stance.
Nausea sloshed in her gut. This man had followed her into town, knew which car was hers, then made sure she’d be stranded with him close by. “I can’t believe it. Why? Why is he doing this?”
Reid and Madden shared a look before Reid knelt down so they were eye to eye. “He’s doing this because he’s a bad person. He’s sick and taking all of his ugliness out on you. His boldness tells me this isn’t the first time he’s done something like this. But I’ll keep you safe. We’ll find him.”
“We’ll do whatever we can to make sure this guy doesn’t bother you anymore,” Madden said, echoing Reid’s sentiments. A phone rang from Madden’s pocket, and he snagged it to look at the screen. “I need to take this. I’ll be right back.”
Once Madden was out of the room, Eve refocused on Reid still in front of her.
“None of this feels real, but in a blink of an eye my life is in jeopardy and I’m forced to constantly keep looking over my shoulder.
I can’t just hole up in my house until this guy’s caught.
” Panic constricted her chest until her words came out high and tight.
Reid latched onto her hands with his. “You don’t have to. Where you go, I go. I won’t let him get anywhere near you.”
The idea of Reid staying so close to her during all hours of the day and night created a heat flash so intense she thought she was in menopause. She swallowed hard, hating the tiny flutter of excitement stirring inside her.
“Thank you,” she said, shoving aside ideas of how she and Reid could occupy their time.
Madden cleared his throat from the doorway. “Reid. Can I speak with you for a second in my office?”
Frowning, Reid stood. “Yeah. Sure. I’ll be right back, Eve.”
Watching them leave, she slumped against the chair and squeezed her eyes shut.
Her brain sped along a jagged track of anxiety and fear until she thought she’d implode.
She scrubbed her palms over her face. If she was going to survive the next however many hours of being with Reid, she needed to calm down.
And with her nerves worn raw, the best way to calm down was to call Becca.
Besides, she needed to let her know she’d be even later coming in to work tonight.
“Hey, you on your way?” Becca asked when she answered the call on the first ring.
“Not exactly.” Eve replayed the entire scary ordeal for her friend as quickly as possible, her hands shaking as she recalled each detail.
“Are okay? Do you need me stay with you? Or why don’t you stay with me and Bobby until this guy is caught? There’s no reason for you to be alone.”
Eve cracked a small smile at the don’t-argue-with-me tone her friend always used on Suzy.
With Eve’s parents traveling the country in their RV and no siblings, it’d be easy to feel lonely or as though she didn’t have family nearby for support.
Living in Cloud Valley meant always having people around to look out for her. Something she’d never take for granted.
“I appreciate the offer,” she said. “But it’s not necessary. Reid will stay close until this is all over.”
“Oh, really?” Amusement practically oozed from Becca’s voice.
Eve rolled her eyes. “It’s not like that. I’m hiring someone from a security company to keep me safe. Period.”
“Sure, whatever you have to tell yourself.”
Frustration tightened her lips into a firm line.
Fighting her growing feelings for Reid was hard enough without Becca adding gasoline to the fire.
“All I’m telling myself now is to get my ass to work and help with the dinner shift.
I don’t have the capacity to think beyond that right now.
We’re still at Sunrise Security, but once we’re done, I’ll have Reid take me home so I can change, then I’ll be right in. ”
“Absolutely not,” Becca said.
“Becca, I can’t put my life on hold. Tilly’s has to be ready for tomorrow. I have to work.”
“Honey, everything for tomorrow’s event is all set.
There’s nothing more for any of us to do.
I’ll call Bobby and have him come in to tend bar.
My mom will watch Suzy. She missed her this morning, so she’ll love a little extra time with her only grandchild.
You’ve been through hell today. Go home, spend some time with that sexy bodyguard of yours and we’ll reassess in the morning. ”
A part of Eve wanted to protest, but Becca was right.
She’d made sure the band was set and the inventory stocked weeks ago.
Besides, she was exhausted. She’d had little sleep and a hectic day filled with enough drama to push a teenage girl over the edge.
Becca wouldn’t say everything was handled if it wasn’t, and they both knew Bobby secretly loved playing bartender.
“Okay. I won’t come in tonight, but call if anything changes and you need me.”
“We’ll be fine. You take care of you.”
Disconnecting the call, Eve felt a little lighter. She wouldn’t have taken the night off if Becca hadn’t pushed, but she hadn’t realized how much she needed some downtime. At least one night to unwind and process her trauma.
Reid returned to the office, and an aura of heaviness clung to him. He scrubbed his hand over his jaw and darted his gaze around the room as if he didn’t want to look at her.
Her insides twisted like a pretzel. “Is everything all right? I know you mentioned you guys are really busy. Does Madden need you to do a different job?” The thought of him not being with her sent her into a panic, but she refused to show it.
He finally met her eyes, and the flash of anger and fear would have knocked her on her ass if she’d been standing. “Madden got a call from the sheriff regarding the woman who was killed. A witness came forward.”
The urgency in his voice set her on the edge of her seat. “And? Did they catch the killer?”
Reid shook his head. “No, but someone got a good look at the last person seen going into the women’s trailer last night. The man wore a dirty cowboy hat and jean jacket and had a big, bushy beard. He was there about forty minutes before you were attacked.”
Dark spots penetrated her vision, and the world tilted around her. The man who was after her wasn’t just some creep looking to scare her. He was a murderer.
Reid attached the sensor above the window in Eve’s living room. Installing security systems wasn’t difficult, but damn, was it tedious. People didn’t realize how many means of entry they really had until they were forced to protect them all.
Eve stood watching him. “And that little white thing will help keep me safe?”
He stepped off the ladder and wiped his hands on the thighs of his jeans.
“This will alert you, and me while I’m monitoring the system, if anyone opens the window or smashes the glass.
The notification will pop right up on the app on your phone.
We want to make sure we have eyes on all ways in and out of your house. ”
She nodded along with his words. “Makes sense. I never thought about getting a security system—never had a reason. But being proactive is calming my nerves. I like knowing I’m taking action and not just sitting around and waiting for something else to happen.”
“There’s a lot you can do to help yourself. Have you ever taken self-defense classes?”
“No,” she said, wrinkling her nose. Her only form of exercise was hiking trails that weren’t too strenuous. Anything more than that never sounded like much fun.
“Later I can show you a few moves that could prove beneficial. But first let’s finish this installation.
” Fisting his hands on his hips, he glanced around the tidy room.
“We’ve got all the windows in here and the kitchen.
I already did the guest bathroom and bedroom.
I think all that’s left is your bedroom and en suite bathroom.
Do you know how many windows you have in there? ”
She swished her lips to the side. “Two in the bedroom. One in the bathroom.”
He grabbed what he’d need then swept an arm through the air. “Lead the way.”
Hesitation pinched her face. “Why don’t you go ahead? You don’t really need me in the way, and I can order pizza or something for dinner. I mean, I’d better at least feed you for all your work, right?” She chuckled, but it came out forced and a little awkward.
He bit back a smart-ass remark about her not wanting to be alone in her room with him.
That type of comment would be typical for them, but not in this moment when she was so vulnerable.
Besides, the idea of seeing her bedroom sent such an intense thrill through his body it was better to pretend it was all par for the course.
“Pizza sounds great,” he said. “I’ll be quick.”
He headed down the short hallway and veered into her room.
He flipped on the light and strode straight into the attached bathroom.
If he took too much time, he’d get lost in a stupid fantasy about a more interesting reason to be in here.
He made quick work of putting up the last sensors then crossed back into the bedroom.
He couldn’t help but glance around the room.
A blue-and-orange-swirled comforter neatly covered a four-post bed, and a ton of decorative pillows made it look comfortable as hell.
Like he could dive right into a cloud. Two cherrywood nightstands flanked the bed, small lamps and stacked books on both.
Framed photos stood on her long dresser along with an intricate jewelry box, and an ivory-colored chair nestled in the corner with a bright orange throw blanket tossed over the back.
A vibrant painting on the light gray wall caught his attention.
He approached it slowly, studying the pops of pinks, purples and reds in a field of green.
The jagged mountain peaks loomed in the distance with a smattering of lush trees filling out the perimeter, as if protecting the colorful flowers from intruders—preserving the essence of peace and calm.
“Doesn’t look like you’re getting too much work done in here.”
Eve’s amused tone turned him around. He shrugged then faced the painting again. “Just being nosy, I guess. I really like this picture. I’m not sure why. There’s just something about it.”
“It’s my favorite spot,” Eve said, moving to stand beside him. She stared at the framed art. “My dad had this commissioned for me before he and my mom left town. He wanted a way for me to feel close to him. This is actually where I picked those flowers from earlier.”
He hooked a brow. “Really? I’ve tried most of the trails around here, but I don’t think I’ve seen this spot.”
“Not surprising. It’s one of the easiest trails around. This park is mostly used by parents with small kids who need fresh air and an excuse to get out of the house. I’m sure you like something a little more challenging. You know, more manly and rugged.” Her expression was one of mock sincerity.
He chuckled. “You know me well. But I’d love to see this place someday.
Looks beautiful.” He stared down at her as he spoke, his words meaning so much more than a compliment for the picture.
A few seconds of silence settled between them, and he wished he had the courage to say more.
To stop using humor to disguise his emotions.
As if feeling his eyes on her, Eve tilted up her chin and their eyes locked.
Time stood still. Heat climbed the back of his neck and everything else around him disappeared. His throat went dry, and the overwhelming desire to finally discover how she tasted had him wetting his lips with his tongue.
She swallowed hard, a pretty blush staining her cheeks.
Screw it. He was tired of fighting his instincts, tired of holding back when all he wanted to do was jump in with both feet. His heart puttered in his chest and he leaned forward, the scent of her floral perfume invading his senses and making his world unsteady.
Her eyes widened for a beat before slowly closing.
He bent lower, her mouth so close. Her body so warm.
He glided his palm around her neck, his thumb pressed against the sensual curve just below her lips.
He’d waited months for this—held back out of respect for this woman who’d become his friend.
Never wanting to lead her on or promise things he couldn’t provide, but just one kiss would be all he’d need to douse his curiosity.
The doorbell rang and they jumped apart like two teenagers caught by their parents.
Eve’s eyes flew open, and she flattened her hand to her chest. A forced laugh barked from her throat. “Got to love Luigi’s. Delivery’s always so dang fast. Ready to eat?”
What he was ready to do was stand under a bucket of cold water to erase the stupidity that had momentarily taken hold of him. He took a step backward, needing to get out of her intoxicating orbit. “I have two more sensors to install over the windows in here.”
“Okay. I’ll grab the pizza and set everything out.” She turned to leave, and he reached for her forearm to stop her. She hesitated, staring at him as if waiting for him to finish what he’d started.
He dropped his hand to his side and cleared his throat.
“Hold on one second. I want to make sure it’s okay for you to answer the door.
” He hated the flash of disappointment that darkened her face as he grabbed his phone and pulled up the security app.
A quick glance confirmed the young delivery girl standing on the porch, waiting with a pizza box in her hands. “Yep. Pizza’s here.”
She gave him a tight smile and hurried out of the room.
“Shit,” he muttered, squeezing the back of his neck. Great job making things awkward from the very start of this assignment. He had no idea how much time he’d be spending with Eve over the next few days, but one thing was sure—if he didn’t keep himself in check, he’d never survive.