SECRETS KILL
Holly pushed the door open and scrambled out of the car. She tripped over the hem of the dress and pitched forward into Simon’s arms.
He caught her and held her against his chest until she got her feet firmly beneath her. “What’s wrong?”
She leaned into him, turning sideways to point at her car. “That.” Her hand shook. “The windshield.”
Simon moved forward with a protective arm around her, circling the front of the car. His team closed in around them as they stared at the message framed by the condensation.
“Secrets kill,” Remy said softly. “The same message as the one on the mirror in your Atlanta apartment?”
She nodded. “Yes. The same that appeared on the tree before Paul died and the sandy beach when my parents’ boat capsized six months ago.” She trembled. “The first two messages were followed immediately by death and loss. I have to admit...I’m afraid.”
“There’s no shame in that,” Simon said. “It’s a threat.”
“If it’s not a direct threat to me,” she said, “I’m afraid of who will die next.”
“You say the first two messages were in the sand and on a tree?” Remy asked.
Holly nodded. “Yes. In the sand where my parents lived and on a tree outside my boyfriend’s house.”
Simon and Remy exchanged a glance. “Sounds like they were targeted specifically.”
“The last two messages were in your apartment and on your vehicle.”
Holly drew in a breath and let it out. “So, it’s me.” She let the breath out. “Thank goodness. At least it’s not someone else.”
Remy shook his head. “You need protection.”
Holly’s gaze went to the car and the message carved out of the condensation. She’d always valued her independence. Her parents had spent so much time away from home pursuing various scientific endeavors that she’d learned to be on her own. However, independence was one thing; staying alive was another.
Holly squared her shoulders. “What does protection entail?”
Remy smiled and then schooled his face. “You need someone with you twenty-four-seven.”
“Wait.” She shook her head. “Every minute of the day?”
Remy nodded. “It does you no good if you send him home at the end of the day. If someone targets you, they’re watching you, waiting to catch you when you least expect it…when you’re alone and vulnerable.”
“I’ve been alone a lot since I’ve been back,” she noted. “Why hasn’t it happened by now?”
“It might be a scare tactic,” Simon explained.
Valentin stepped forward. “Like psychological warfare. Keeps you guessing until bam!” He smacked his fist into his palm.
Holly jerked back.
Simon’s hand came up to rest at the small of her back.
She didn’t want to admit it, but his warmth and strength were reassuring.
“Does that mean whoever provides that protection will be living with me until whatever this is stops?”
Remy nodded. “He’ll guard you day and night.”
“I have a job. I can’t have someone hanging around while I work.”
Remy’s lips twisted into a wry grin. “I’m sure Rene at the Crawdad Hole won’t mind. It would be like having an extra bouncer he wouldn’t have to pay.”
