Protect Me(34)

“Hey,” he says as he looks me square in the eyes. “It was no problem. I would rather be safe and check everything out than to be sorry I didn’t. If you say something didn’t feel right, then we’ll go with your gut feeling. Why don’t you come inside and take a look around and make sure nothing is out of place or missing, okay?” he says as he leads me inside the apartment.

I scout from room to room looking for any sign of something - anything - out of place. Maddox follows me as I take in the unmade bed, the piles of discarded clothes, and the toothpaste open on the sink. Everything is just as I left it.

“Everything is fine,” I all but whisper as we return to the tiny kitchen.

“Well, that’s good,” he replies. “Listen, if you ever have any problems or see anything out of the ordinary, give me a call,” he says as he pulls out his wallet. He takes a receipt and an ink pen and writes his name and number on the slip of paper. “This is my cell. Call me day or night,” he adds as he hands over the paper.

“Thank you. I feel so silly now,” I say with a grin.

“Trust your gut, Lia,” he says with a half grin. I can totally see why Avery fell head over heels in love with the man. Hot cop with bulging biceps and triceps and all the other kinds of ‘ceps, plus a smile that causes traffic jams.

I walk him to the door and step onto the landing with him.

“Listen, Lia, I don’t know your history or anything and you damn sure don’t have to tell me anything. You seem like a great woman whose maybe had a rough go of it in the past. Listen to your heart when it comes to things like this. Don’t hesitate to call me, Jake or Nate if you notice something funny. Your gut instinct is one of the greatest gifts you have. Use it.”

I look up at him with question in my eyes. He can see that about me? My pain, my past? Is it written all over my face like a flashing sign?

His eyes are intense and all-knowing as if he can read my thoughts. “It’s part of the job,” he confirms. “Plus, I take the protection of my friends very seriously,” he says with the very slight rise of the corner of his mouth.

“Thank you,” I whisper as he descends the stairs. Maddox looks up and gives me a final wave before opening the door below my stairs and stepping inside the bakery to see his wife.

I step back inside the apartment, securely locking the door behind me. I give the place one more look-over and conclude that I’m losing my mind. Besides a little embarrassment that my boss’ husband just saw my messy place, nothing is wrong. Not a speck of dust is out of place.

But if that’s the case, why do I get this strange feeling that something dark is looming?





*****




I arrive at the Stevens household at six o’clock sharp. The driveway is so packed with cars I have to park in the yard close to the end of the driveway. I take off up the driveway towards the large, white house. Laughter filters around the side of the house and when I step around, I see the reason for all of the extra vehicles.

The entire male Stevens population and a whole slew of other men are standing around the side of the house, shotguns in one hand and beers in the other. Nate notices me instantly; his eyes seek me out as if they are a heat-seeking missile and I am the target. He casually swaggers over to me, a cocky smile plastered on his too-handsome face. Damn.

“Hey, beautiful,” he says when he reaches me.

“Hey. What’s going on here?” I ask as I take in the group before me.

“Clay pigeon shooting. We’ve been here since early afternoon shooting for Jake’s bachelor party,” he tells me.

“Ah, I see. So, all of the girls are inside I take it?”

“Yep, spa night is inside. We’re getting ready to head up to Jack’s Pub for dinner and more festivities,” Nate says as he slides a strand of hair behind my ear.

“What kind of festivities?” I ask with a knowing smile on my face.

“I plead the fifth,” Nate replies with a laugh before taking a pull from his beer bottle.

“Well, then I must let you get to it,” I tell him with another soft smile.

Nate leans in closer so that our bodies are practically touching. “Can I text you later?” he asks seriously. All signs of the playfulness in his eyes are gone, leaving in its wake smoldering ash just waiting for that little spark.

“Well, I don’t know how late I’m going to be rocking the spa treatments, but I suppose I could squeeze you in,” I reply playfully.

Nate leans forward ever so slightly until his lips are a mere breath away from my own. His warm breath fans out on my face and my lips tingle in anticipation of his touch. “Well, I might have to pull you away from your gossiping, wine, and foot rubs, but I think I’m going to need to see to you later.”