Now that she was back, I knew better than to get caught up in her orbit.
Roman’s eyes narrowed. “Don’t forget to take care of yourself,” he warned.
I could’ve told him to do the same. “I will.”
“Can I get a copy of the case file?” Graham asked, cutting through the tension. “I can work up a profile of Jane Doe’s murderer and see if it matches with the Shadow Stalker. Since she’s an unconfirmed victim.”
Graham was a forensic psychologist. He knew the Shadow Stalker better than anyone, having interviewed the man himself shortly after he was arrested and brought to the regional detention center nearby. The court had called Graham in to assess his mental state at the time.
August raised his brows. “That would be helpful. I’ll get that sent to you as soon as possible.”
A beat of silence settled over us, the weight of everything pressing down on us like fog.
Reid pressed his lips together. “It’s strange that they’d been watching her computer for days and just now started deleting files.”
“Maybe they had already deleted files, but were more discreet about it,” I offered.
Reid lifted a shoulder. “It’s possible.” He looked over at Graham. “If Jane Doe is Skye’s mother, and she is actually one of the Shadow Stalker’s earliest known victims, then why would anyone care that Skye is looking to identify her?”
“It seems very strange, but I don’t think we have enough information.” Graham looked over at me. “Skye is a public figure. She must have fans out there, people who either love her…or hate her. Perhaps this has nothing to do with Jane Doe or the Shadow Stalker.”
I tilted my head to the side. “Maybe. Honestly, motive hasn’t been an immediate priority over her security.”
“That’s why you have us.” Reid shut the file and set it back flat on the table. “When she’s secure and safe, we can get more information.”
I glanced around the room, at the men I’d grown up with—my brothers, my team, my only constants. They were already moving into action, already ready to help, ready to be whatever I needed.
“Thank you,” I said, throat tight.
Reid grimaced. “Don’t thank me. I still owe you for helping save Lark.”
It seemed a long time ago when Lark, his now wife, had needed saving. I looked away and shrugged it off.
“What our little brother is trying to say,” August cut in, “is that we all look out for one another. No matter what.”
I swallowed hard. Nodding, I pushed away from the wall, suddenly needing some fresh air and the stillness of night, anything to ground the restless energy building inside me.
“I’ll keep you all posted,” I said.
Roman gave me a long look before nodding.
As I left the room, a single thought burned in my chest like a promise: if protecting Skye meant risking everything again…I’d do it. I only hoped my brothers wouldn’t get caught up in the crosshairs.
Augustthrewhistruckinto park in front of the cabin. When the headlights blinked off, the heavy, stifling darkness settled around us. A single light was fixed to the siding beside the front door. It wouldn’t be enough. I’d have to look into getting some better lighting out here. Maybe ones on a motion sensor.
My brother and I sat for a moment in silence. I stared blankly ahead, my overnight duffel bag on my lap.
“I know we keep asking you this, but are you all right?” August asked.
I felt him glancing at me from the corner of his eye, his hand squeezing the steering wheel. My stare locked on the cabin, on the door I knew Skye was waiting behind. “No.”
It was the first time I answered with honesty. In the stillness and quiet, the reality set in. I didn’t regret my decision to keep Skye safe, but I was tired, and sleeping in the same place as my ex was not something I looked forward to.
I let out a heavy breath. “But I will be,” I finished, hoping to convince myself along with my brother.
Not waiting for his answer, I opened the door and jumped out of the truck.
August followed quietly behind me. When we were a few steps from the front door, the dead bolt snapping open met my ears.
