Chapter Fourteen
Aubrey
Bree pulled her groggy self out of bed and trudged into the kitchen, eager to pour a cup of coffee before attempting to do anything today. Morning always came quickly when you made questionable choices…like staying up and reading into the night far longer than you should. Bree poured her iced coffee and headed toward the living room, watching as the mail carrier dropped off today’s mail. When was the last time she had gotten her mail at home? In all of the chaos of the last few days, she had completely forgotten about it.
She walked outside and grabbed her mail, waving at Mr. Robinson before going back inside to enjoy her coffee. She sorted the letters into piles and tossed the junk mail in the recycling bin. The last item was a brown package. Anxiety flared in her chest as she pictured her headless teddy bear. Surely, no package could be worse than that one.
Bree sat her coffee cup on the counter, turning the package over in her hands. She didn’t recognize the name or handwriting on it, which made her a little hesitant to open it. Maybe she should call Noah to come over so he could be there while she opened it. No. With her luck, he’d drive all the way over, and it would be something innocuous like merch to a local business from their marketing people. She was a grown woman. She could open a box.
It was going to be fine. Bree opened the box and gently emptied the contents out onto the counter. There was an envelope and a super cute keychain with a palette and some paintbrushes. She set the keychain on the counter and then opened the envelope curiously. The blood drained from her face as she took in the contents.
It was pictures of her from the last several weeks. Pictures out in public where Noah was next to her—though his face was scratched out of every single one. Pictures of Bree and Noah waiting in line at the coffee shop. A picture of Bree walking out of the hospital after visiting Jess. A picture of Bree with some of her fans in Trenton…If she’d had anything to eat this morning, she was certain it would’ve made a reappearance. Bree dropped the photos onto the counter, and tears coursed down her cheeks. She pulled out the folded piece of paper and opened it reluctantly. It was short and to the point, legibly scrawled across the piece of white scrap paper.
Stay away from him.
Another sob tore through her throat as her heart rate skyrocketed. A sharp knock sounded moments later, and Bree jumped, sobbing as the crushing weight of fear settled on her. She was going to be sick. Was that him? What would he do to her? Noah would be crushed if he lost his client. He lived and breathed his job.
The knock sounded again and and a frightened sound escaped her. She ran down the hall into her bedroom and locked the door behind her. The shadows outside her window seemed to be larger than normal and Bree’s heart felt as though it was going to beat out of her chest. She raced into her bathroom and locked that door as well. There. No windows, multiple locked doors. Her whole body shook as she pulled her phone out of her pocket. She needed Noah.
He picked up on the first ring. “Missing me already?” He teased.
She sobbed harder, relieved to hear his voice on the other end of the line.
“Bree, what’s wrong?” He asked. There were a couple of clicks and the sound of jingling of keys through the line as Bree cried.
“Not a raccoon.” She rasped out, unable to pull herself together as the images she’d been sent flashed through her mind. Stay away from him. Was she endangering Noah by calling him? She froze. Maybe this was a mistake. Maybe she needed to put distance between them so Noah could be safe. Noah would be devastated if something happened to her, but she wasn’t sure she’d survive something happening to him—particularly if it was her fault.
“I’m on my way.”
“No!” She said quickly. “It might not be safe. You…you need to stay away from me.”
“Not happening, sweetheart. I’ll see you in an hour. Stay on the line with me.”
Bree slumped against the tub and listened as Noah’s car started in the background. The soothing engine noises and occasional commentary from Noah kept her grounded while she waited for him to arrive.
“I’m here, sweetheart. Come let me in.”
Bree hesitantly left her bathroom sanctuary and walked to the front door. She looked through the peephole and nearly collapsed in relief. Noah.
She yanked the door open as quickly as she could, closing it as soon as Noah was safely across the threshold. Warm hands enveloped her upper arms gently. “Bree?” Noah asked, concern and alarm lacing his tone. “What’s wrong?”
Bree shook her head and leaned toward him, collapsing in his arms while she cried. Noah rubbed his hand up and down her back soothingly while the other arm held her tight against him.
“Bree…talk to me. What’s going on? Are you hurt?!” His voice was a cocktail of wrath and violence as he held her slightly away from him, assessing her for any obvious injury.
Bree stepped completely out of his arms and led him into the kitchen, gesturing wordlessly at the open package and contents sitting on the kitchen counter. Noah walked over to them, and his whole body stiffened as he went through picture after picture.
“There’s no return address or postmark. Where did you get these, Bree?”
“They were in my mailbox when I got the mail this morning. And then someone knocked on my door…loudly…repeatedly.” She said quietly.
“Did you see who it was?”
“No…I hid.” She admitted, blushing.
Noah lifted her chin so she was looking him straight in the eye. “That was smart. Bree, I’m glad you called.” He reassured her. His steady gaze searched hers to make sure she really was as okay as she claimed. Apparently satisfied with whatever he saw, Noah dropped his hand from her face and took his cell phone out, taking pictures of the box, the envelope, the keychain, and each of the pictures. He typed on his phone for a minute before putting it up to his ear.
“Theo, I just sent pictures through. It looks like Bree’s stalker may have found her.”
Noah pulled the phone away from his ear and looked at Bree closely. “Bree, can we install cameras? Just outside, sweetheart.” Bree looked at him helplessly. She didn’t want cameras. But this package had been in her mailbox. At her home. And whoever sent them scratched at Noah”s face. She couldn”t endanger him. He was too good of a person.
“Who would have access to them?”
“Just my team at Hawthorne Security. I promise you, Bree. Nothing would ever be used against you. It will just give us a chance at catching whoever has been tormenting you.” Noah said, a quiet desperation lacing his tone.
Bree nodded.
“I need to hear you say it, sweetheart.”
“You can install cameras, Noah. Just outside. And just for Hawthorne. They don’t get sent to anyone without my say so.”
Approval shone in his eyes. “Done.” He said to her as he brought the phone back up to his ear.
“Theo, I need you to see what you can find out about the photos and let’s move up the camera install. I want it done today.” He said.
Bree looked at the photos on the counter listlessly. He could install all the outdoor security cameras he wanted if that meant whoever took those pictures couldn’t get to her. Or him.
Noah was quiet for a moment while Theo talked, and Bree just stared at the evidence that she was being followed. Noah hung up and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her in close. “It’ll be okay, Bree. We’ll find whoever is behind this.”
“How would they have gotten these pictures, Noah? Wouldn’t we have seen them?”
Noah left one arm wrapped around her shoulder and used the other to flip through the pictures, tilting his head as he thought. “Look at the distortion of color and the compression on these ones.” He said, gesturing to the ones of them walking outside. Bree had no clue what he was talking about but looked at them anyway.
“My guess is they were taken from a car with some tint on the windows, given the color, and likely with a telephoto lens. That would account for the compression. There wasn’t anything for us to see unless they used the same car repeatedly. Since we didn’t see anything suspicious, they could be in different cars. I’m going to go out and look around. Call the police so we can file a report, please, Bree.” Then he turned and walked out her sliding glass door.
***
Noah
Noah watched Bree warily. She looked ready to fall asleep standing up, but they almost had everything situated. She had called the police to file a report and called the TV station to reschedule shooting the commercial. They hadn”t been happy. But neither was Bree.
The rest of the day passed in a blur of fielding questions from police, turning over evidence, talking with his team, and overseeing the installation of the new security system outside Bree’s house. Hopefully an alarm system would be next. He just needed her to agree to it first.
“All done,” Theo said, hopping off the ladder Noah was currently holding against the side of Bree’s house. Theo walked over to his laptop and punched in a slew of letters and numbers, seemingly pleased with the view the camera provided. He turned to look at Bree who was silently observing while leaning on his truck. “Do you have any questions, Bree?” He asked, shutting his computer and placing it back in his bag.
“Who has access to the system?” Bree asked mechanically. Noah had already told her, but if she needed reassurance from someone else, she could ask anyone. Everyone.
“Just you and us. And you will get an alert on your phone if we are checking in. That way there’s transparency and you know we’re not abusing the camera system or being creepy or anything.”
Bree laughed lightly, the first semi-happy sound Noah had heard from her all day.
“I trust you guys, Theo. I know you’re not creepy.” She frowned at the last word, a faraway look overtaking her face.
“Thanks for coming out and taking care of this,” Noah told Theo, gesturing to the now functional camera system.
“No thanks necessary. That’s what brothers are for.” Theo nodded his goodbye to Noah and placed a gentle hand on Aubrey’s shoulder, whispering something quietly to her that had her nodding before she turned and gave him a big hug. He climbed into his truck and pulled out of the drive slowly. They watched him go for a moment, and Noah turned as Bree swayed. Cursing under his breath, he quickly walked over to where she was and reached out to steady her before deciding to just carry her inside. She was dead on her feet.
***
Aubrey
Bree observed Noah groggily as he lifted her up. Bree considered protesting, but she was so tired. She rested her head against his chest, listening to the rhythmic beating of his heart.
“You don’t have to carry me in.” She said halfheartedly, even as she nestled into the side of his neck. He always smelled good. Like coffee and caramel. “I can walk.” Although she was slightly unsure of that at the moment. Her energy was gone.
“It’s no trouble, Bree,” Noah said. “I don’t mind carrying you.”
They got inside and Noah deposited her on the couch gently. He walked into the kitchen and returned with a cup of her favorite iced coffee. Boy his Mama really did raise him well. A look at the clock told her it was probably about time for him to leave for the evening. She reined in her disappointment and tried to be reasonable. The man had been with her for hours today.
“Hey, Bree?” Noah said, coming to sit on the coffee table by the couch.
“Time for you to go?”
“Actually, I was going to ask if you minded if I stayed. I don’t…Between the threats on the internet and the photos you got in the mail, I don’t feel comfortable leaving you here alone.”
Honestly, she didn’t want to be alone either, but aside from the fact 24-hour security costs a lot more money, she also lacked extra beds. “That’s really nice of you, but I don’t have a guest room.” She told him softly, kicking herself for that now. Noah…Noah was the first man in her life who made her feel safe. Truly safe. She didn’t have to worry about anything when he was with her. It was…novel. And a feeling she didn’t want to give up.
“I can take the couch after you go to bed if it wouldn’t bother you.”
“I don’t know, Noah. You’d be really uncomfortable.”
“I’ve slept far more uncomfortable places than this in my life, sweetheart.” He replied, a bubble of happiness growing in her chest. She liked him calling her sweetheart.
“Okay, but if it gets to be too much, please go home to your bed and get a good night’s sleep. I doubt we’ll have to deal with anything else tonight.” Bree said, secretly glad that she wouldn’t be alone.
“Scouts honor.” He said.
Bree raised her eyebrows suspiciously. “Were you even a boy scout?”
“Nope.” He said, popping his ‘p’ like she did.
Bree laughed and sipped on her iced coffee.
“How are you feeling?” Noah asked, watching her closely. “Scared. Then stupid for feeling scared. It’s not like I was directly threatened.”
“It’s okay to feel scared, Bree. It isn’t stupid. Those feelings? Those keep you safe.”
“It just doesn’t feel like it should be that big of a deal. Like other people have it worse, you know?” She asked, her brow furrowed. “I haven’t been directly assaulted by whoever this is. I’m mostly left alone.”
Noah’s eyes darkened when Bree mentioned being assaulted, and he released a deep breath. “No one is going to touch you. Never again.” He growled.
He paused a moment before continuing. “I was raised by a single mom. My dad bailed when I was young. Mom and I struggled for a long time, but we were happy. We had each other, and she was the best mom.” He said, furrowing his brow slightly.
“When I was thirteen, my dad came back into our lives, and everyone said how neat it must be. How glad Mom probably was to have him back. How it was ‘nice’ that he stepped up and decided to take care of his family.” A deep frown overtook his face. Bree reached out and patted his shoulder gently in quiet reassurance.
He gave Bree a small smile and continued. “What they didn’t know was that he was a deadbeat at best. He came in and tried to run the house. He belittled Mom and bossed her around like there was no tomorrow. But she wouldn’t leave him. She said I needed a dad. Like he could ever be one.”
“What happened?” Bree asked, her heart breaking for a young Noah who would’ve known a peaceful and loving home life before being thrown into a chaotic one.
“He hit her.” Noah balled his hands into fists, and his whole body tensed. “He drank too much one night and decided it was a good time to put hands on her.”
“Oh no,” Bree said, her eyes filled with concern.
“Mom didn”t put up with that. She was a fighter. There was no way she’d stay in a relationship with a man who’d hurt her or her child. So when she got away from him, she quickly packed our things. I’d been at football practice. When I got home and found her with a black eye—I finally understood what it meant to ‘see red.’ I wanted nothing more than his blood. Mom dissuaded me—even though I’d finally grown taller than him—and handed me the stuff she’d packed to take to the car. He was passed out at this point. Or so we thought. Anyway—he put up a fight when we tried to leave, and when he took another swing at my mom, I laid him flat out. Told him we better never hear from him again, or he’d have another thing coming.” Noah cleared his throat uncomfortably.
“So, I know how it is to have people telling you to feel or think a certain way. Or for you to feel like you should feel a certain way. I wasn’t happy to have him back, but initially, I felt guilty for feeling that way. I was supposed to be happy. But I wasn’t. I wasn’t happy to have him in my house. Everyone else had big opinions about how great it was for him to be home, but no one knew what went on.” Noah finished softly.
“I’m sorry that happened to you,” Bree said, squeezing his shoulder and letting her hand linger for a moment.
“It is what it is. But the important thing is to give yourself some space and grace to feel what you’re feeling. Give yourself a chance to process it. It’s not stupid, Bree. You’re going through something scary. It’s okay to be afraid. Just know that no one is going to get to you. They’ll have to go through me first.”
Bree nodded, and they sat in a comfortable, contemplative silence as she finished her coffee. “I’m going to change and get you some bedding for the couch,” Bree said.
Noah nodded and she went down the hall to her room. She threw on a night shirt and wiped off any remaining makeup from earlier though most of it had been cried off at one point or another. She brushed her teeth and finished getting ready for bed before grabbing a pillow and blanket from the storage closet in her bathroom.
She walked down the hall toward the living room, the chill of the floor on her bare toes sending a shiver up her spine. She should’ve gotten him settled before she changed for the evening. She walked into the living room, hyper-aware of the cool air kissing her bare legs and the wood floors under her toes. Noah looked up as she entered, and his eyes widened slightly. Bree blushed as he took in her appearance and handed him the bedding. “It can get cold at night. Come and get me if you need extra blankets.” She said quietly.
“I’ll do that,” Noah said, catching her eye with his. “Thanks, Bree.” She nodded and practically sprinted back down the hall, her heart racing.
She laid down on her bed and snuggled into the pillow. It had been a long day.
Bad dreams plagued her and when she opened her eyes, a cool draft drifted through the room. The clock on her bedside table said it was a little after two a.m. and she found herself concerned for Noah. She pulled herself out of bed and grabbed a spare blanket in case he was cold. She walked out to the couch and noted his shoulders curving in toward the couch, a furrow on his brow. She gently set the blanket over him, and watched the tension seep out—he looked…peaceful. Satisfied he wouldn’t freeze to death, she went back to her room and nestled down into her covers. She fell back asleep, a warmth in her chest despite the difficulty of the day.