Chapter 10
MILLER
I look over at Lindsey, who is looking out the window as we drive through town.
Eli is in the backseat, doing the same, quiet and watching the scenery pass by.
These two are just a shell of the people I first met.
They have been through it. They both need sleep, but more than that, they need security. I can give that to them.
I don’t know who the Davenports are, but I do know that they will no longer be scaring Lindsey and Eli with their threats.
“Are you sure you have room for us? We can stay at my apartment. I’m paid up through the end of the month, and I’ll be able to figure out something—”
“You’re staying with me.”
She continues looking out the window. When we pull up to my house, I stop at the end of the driveway and put the code in to open the gates. Lindsey looks in front of us and instantly turns to me. “This is your house?”
I nod and pull through the gates and hit the opener on the garage door. As I pull into the garage, both my passengers are quiet.
I go around and open Lindsey’s door and then help Eli out of the car. He grabs my hand, and I hold it as I open the door that leads into the kitchen. “I’ll show you around the house.”
I lead them room to room, showing them the kitchen, the living room, and the dining room. My office is on the first floor, and I point it out. “If you’re looking for me, I’m in here a lot.” I go past the office and stop at my bedroom. “This is my bedroom.”
I swear Lindsey’s cheeks turn pink. I gesture to the staircase. “Let’s go upstairs. I’ll show you your rooms.”
I go up slowly, holding Eli’s hand with Lindsey trailing after us. When I get to the top, I show them the two bathrooms, another office, and three bedrooms. “These are all empty, so you can pick whichever you want.”
Lindsey’s voice is void of any emotion. “I wasn’t thinking. I need my car. I need to go to my apartment and get our things. I need—”
I put my arm around her. “You need to sleep. You both do. Rest and then we’ll worry about all the stuff later. What about your sister’s apartment?”
Her eyes are lifeless as she stares back at me. “I moved all Eli’s stuff to my apartment, but I haven’t gone through all her things yet. I know I need to but—well, I was worried about finding the will, and I figured the rest can wait.”
I nod. “It can.”
She looks longingly at the bed. “I could use some sleep.”
I look down at Eli. “What about you, little man? You tired?”
He open-mouth yawns. “Yeah, but I wanna watch cartoons.”
I walk into the first bedroom and turn the television on. I click through the channels until I find a cartoon, and Eli jumps up onto the bed. Lindsey goes next, lying down next to him. “If you guys need anything, I’ll be down in my office.”
Lindsey wraps her arms around Eli, and as I get to the door, she calls out, “Miller.”
I turn. “Yeah?”
She offers me a soft smile. “Thank you for this.”
I pat the door jamb. “Sure.”
I walk out of the room before I let myself do what I really want to do.
I want to lie down on the bed next to her and pull her into my arms. Not for sex, not for anything but to make her feel better.
She looks so sad and lost. I walk down the stairs and enter my office.
Without even thinking about it, I open the group chat with my brothers and sister and type in, “I need your help.”
Literally, a second goes by and my phone starts dinging, letting me know they are all here for me and asking what I need.
I type out a lengthy response, explaining what is going on. My brother Logan and brother-in-law Zach own a security firm, and they can help me find out everything I need to know about the Davenports. They tell me they will have a report to me within the hour.
My sister Skyler is packing up baked goods and food and will bring it over shortly.
She thinks pastries will fix anything, and in most cases, her baked goods do.
My brother Penn, the doctor, said he’ll be over after an emergency surgery if I need him.
His wife Aria is meeting Ozzy at Lindsey’s apartment to pack up some stuff to bring over.
Guy doesn’t have to report back until tomorrow, so he’s heading over to the apartment to help them.
I’m not sure if I’m doing the right thing, but I’m doing what I feel is right.
Moving Lindsey and Eli into my home needs to be done.
At least until I know what I’m dealing with.
I text my driver Mike and arrange for him to bring Lindsey’s car here.
And then I wait for Lindsey and Eli to wake up or to need anything.
From now on, that’s my sole mission… to make sure they’re okay.
A few hours go by, and I’m sitting at my desk when I feel eyes on me. I look up, and Eli is leaning against the open door.
“Hey, bud. Did you get some sleep?”
He nods. “Yeah, but Aunt Lindsey is still sleeping.”
I stand up and walk to him. “I think she needed her rest. Want to hang out with me for a bit? My family is coming over, and they would love to meet you.”
He bites his lip, and even though he seems a little nervous, he nods. “Okay.”
I put a hand on his shoulder and am about to lead him to the living room when there’s a knock at the door.
I’ve told everyone that Lindsey and Eli were sleeping and to be quiet when they came over.
I quickly open the door, and my brothers and sisters are all looking at me expectantly.
Their arms are full, and I back up, bringing Eli with me, to let them in.
They start bringing things in, stacking everything at the landing of the stairs after I explain that Lindsey is still sleeping.
They are all talking to Eli, but all he can do is stare open-mouthed at Guy. I roll my eyes. It’s not like I’m jealous. Okay, maybe a little bit. I squat down next to Eli. “Remember my brother, Guy? He talked to you on the phone.”
His mouth is hanging open, and he nods his head.
Guy holds his hand out to him. “What do you say, little dude? Want to throw the ball around a little bit?”
Eli’s eyes widen excitedly, but just as quickly, they fall. “I do, but I don’t have my glove.”
Guy looks around, points at a box, and pulls out a glove. “You mean this glove? Miller had us go to your house to pick up some of your stuff.”
Eli jumps and grabs the glove. “Thank you, Miller!”
Guy grimaces. “He just told me to get it. I’m the one that got it.”
Eli laughs out loud. “Thank you, Guy!”
Guy puts a hand on Eli’s shoulder. “Come on, let’s go out in Miller’s massive backyard and throw some ball.” He holds his hand up to me. “Don’t worry, we won’t break any windows.”
I point at Eli and whisper to Guy, “Watch him.”
I don’t know much about seven-year-olds. I mean, I was one many years ago, and Eli seems pretty self-sufficient, but I was also wiping that little boy’s tears earlier, so I want to make sure he’s okay.
Guy nods his head. “I got him.”
They walk through the house to go out the back door, and I help the others finish bringing everything in. My house looks like a bomb went off in it, but I told them to bring as much as they could. I wanted to make sure they had everything they needed.
Skyler is bringing things to the kitchen. “I’m stocking your fridge.”
I pull her in for a hug. “Thanks, sis. But you know I can buy food.”
She laughs. “Bite your tongue. You know whatever I make is better than what you can order.”
I nod in agreement. “Right. I know you’re right.”
I help her bring things in from her car, and we’re just getting done when Lindsey walks down the staircase, her eyes wild. She comes to me, her hand going to my chest. “Where’s Eli?”
I hold her hand to me and lead her to the windows that face the backyard. “He’s playing catch with my brother.”
Her eyebrows lift. “Is that—”
I nod. “Yep. Guy Brody.”
She watches through the window as Eli smiles ear to ear. Lindsey stutters, “Thank you. I was beginning to think I’d never see him smile again.”
“He’s going to be okay. You both are.”
I soothe my hand down her back. “I’m so sorry about your sister, Lindsey.”
She nods, and we both turn when my sister clears her throat. “Hey, Lindsey. I’m Skyler. Miller’s sister.”
Skyler points at our sister-in-law Aria.
“This is Aria. She is Penn’s wife. Penn is in surgery or else he’d be here.
” She points at Zach and Logan. “This is Zach and Logan. Zach is my husband. Logan is my brother, and they own Stronghold Security.” She points to the kitchen.
“That’s Bree. She’s Logan’s wife.” Then she points at Ozzy.
“And that over there is our brother Ozzy, the rancher.”
Lindsey lifts her hand. “Hello, everyone.”
Skyler walks up to Lindsey and wraps her in a hug. “First of all, I’m so sorry for your loss. If you need anything, and I mean anything, let me or any of us know.”
When Skyler lets her go, Lindsey leans into my side. I take that as a good sign that she’s looking at me for some comfort. “Okay, well, thank you all for everything.”
Ozzy steps toward us. “He’s about to kick us out.” He looks at Lindsey. “Point me in the direction where you want all this stuff, and we’ll put it away and then get going.”
Lindsey must have missed it all before because it’s like she’s noticing all the boxes for the first time. “Oh my God, is that all mine?”
I tense, hoping she’s not going to be mad. “I wanted to make sure that you and Eli had everything you needed, so I sent Mike and all of them to your house to get your things. I hope that’s okay.”
She opens her mouth and then closes it, clearly overwhelmed.
I look at Ozzy and then back to Lindsey. “Is it okay if they put everything in the room you and Eli were sleeping in? We can sort it out later.”
She seems to snap out of it. “Yes. I’ll help.”
But Skyler is not having it. “Why don’t you let me show you everything we put in the kitchen while they do that.”
Reluctantly, Lindsey walks away with her, and when she gives me a glance over her shoulder, I can’t help but think that everything is going to be okay. It has to be.