“Radar?”
“Yes. So we can see if a drone is flying overhead.” Alec smiles. “Gage and I worked on that one. We know some guys who had trouble with a drone attack, so we wanted to make sure we were protected.”
My stomach lurches. Adroneattack? As if I didn’t have enough to worry about.
“You’re safe here,” Alec says. “Most of the GMG property is surrounded by a reinforced fence with surveillance cameras all along it. They can even detect the difference between a human and an animal, so they’re not going off whenever a deer walks by. Plus, we have cameras throughout the woods, and the buildings are extremely secure.”
“Oh. That’s good.” For now. But what about when I leave? I highly doubt the Blissful Sleep Motel has any of those things. And the only other place to stay in town is the Bliss B and B, which I’m pretty sure I can’t afford.
We come to a stop in front of a large farmhouse-style home with half the windows aglow. A large porch is lit with orange lights wrapped around the railing and a cheerful illuminated ghost set beside the front door.
Just for a moment, my spirits lift. Despite the size of the house, it looks cozy. Lived in. It’s the kind of place I’d be happy to call my own.
“This is Enzo and Winter’s place, obviously,” Alec says. He shuts off the ignition and turns to me. “We have a building not too far from here that’s used for official business, but most of the time we meet here. It’s just more comfortable, you know?”
“It does look comfortable,” I agree. “Although I feel bad waking Enzo and Winter up like this.”
“Don’t feel bad.” He opens the driver’s side door but doesn’t get out. “Enzo offered to meet here. And Winter won’t mind. She’ll probably have snacks and drinks waiting.” He pauses as his expression grows solemn. “Winter understands better than most.”
I don’t know the details of Winter’s story aside from the snippets she’s shared with me, which are that she had an abusive ex who turned obsessive, she risked her life to save Enzo’s store, and someunpleasant drama went down when her ex broke out of jail.
So yes, if she actually knew my story, she probablywouldunderstand.
“Let’s get inside,” Alec says. “Wait there, and I’ll come around to get you.”
It’s on the tip of my tongue to insist I’m perfectly capable of getting out of the car and walking to the front door by myself. But I swallow it back. Partly because Alec’s already coming around to my side and to refuse his help would be rude. And partly because I’m secretly hoping he might touch me again—even if it’s just a light pressure on my back as he guides me inside or the brief brush of his hand against mine.
The little voice in my head urging caution when it comes to men is silent for a change. Maybe it’s too exhausted to persist. Or maybe it’s been swayed by Alec’s strong and comforting presence, just like my heart has been.
And oh, he touches me. Not just the brief contact I hoped for, but his arm solidly wrapped around me as we head to the front door. He tucks me against his side while we walk up the porch steps and keeps me there as he knocks on the door.
It’s probably just because he thinks I might stumble if he doesn’t. But I’ll take it.
Seconds later, the door swings open to reveal Enzo on the other side of it—tall, slightly imposing, but with a concerned expression softening his gaze.He lifts his chin at Alec first. “Hey, Alec.” Then he turns to me. “Hazel. So sorry to hear about everything that’s been happening. Hopefully, we can help.”
“Thanks,” I reply. “I’m sorry for coming over so late?—”
Enzo makes a dismissiveit’s nothinggesture. “No need to apologize. This isn’t the first late-night meeting I’ve had, and I’m sure it won’t be the last.”
As Enzo steps back, Alec leads me through the doorway. “Anyway,” Enzo continues, “We were still up. Winter conned me into watching some Christmas movie on the Hallmark Channel.” He chuckles. “Can you imagine that? It’s not even Halloween yet. And they’re playing Christmas movies.”
“Once it’s October, it’s fair game.” From the hallway to the right, Winter enters the large living room. She’s holding a wooden tray loaded with an assortment of food. She smiles at me as she adds, “I know it’s technically too early for Christmas movies. But they’re better than the Halloween ones. And Lark got me addicted to them. So I blame her, really.”
Enzo waves at the two large couches set perpendicular to each other in the middle of the living room. “Take a seat. Make yourself comfortable. Ronan should be here soon—since he was still up, he offered to come over. We can fill Knox and Gage in tomorrow.”
Alec guides me to the couch facing the fireplace;where low flames are still crackling. Once I’m seated, he settles down beside me, leaving an unfortunate several inches between us.
Wait.
Unfortunate?
What happened to ‘single is better’?
But before I can examine that thought further, Winter sets the tray on the coffee table with a flourish. “Snacks,” she proclaims. “I thought you might be hungry. So I made some sandwiches, plus we have chips, vegetables, cookies… Do you want something to drink? Water? Tea? Coffee?”
“Oh, I’m okay,” I start.
“Maybe something warm,” Alec interrupts. “For Hazel, I mean. For the shock.”
