I’m surprised, but I probablyshouldn’t be. Our county board is a small organization. The commissioners are elected, but Mom has not had an opponent in over a decade. The position isn’t one of any real power, but the county board does have oversight into some country programs and funding. Mom’s personal passion is safety and public welfare.
She’s served on the parole board, parent-teacher association, the library board, and contributes to just about any community enrichment program you can imagine. Take Back the Night walks. Cookie sales. My mother is the reason we have security lights and cameras in all the privately owned commercial spaces. The reason I have a timer on the lights at my house. Although I deluded myself into thinking in a town this small I wouldn’t need one, and I’m regretting that decision now.
Even worse, the fact that Lori Davis’s daughter’s house was broken into will be big news in this small city. That’s why the first call I made tonight was not to my mother. What happened at my house won’t just be personal for Mom.
I nod. “I kept my married last name after Michael died so Jax and I would have the same last name. Easier for school registration and everything.”
“Does your mom have enemies?” Savage asks. “The commissioners don’t do much but plan parades and make sure the senior center’s pancake breakfast stays on budget.”
Phantom shoots his friend a lethal look, and Savage goes quiet.
“That’s not exactly true,” I say. “I mean, Mom takesthe job seriously, but you’re right. It’s not like she has political enemies.” Now, Michael, on the other hand… I open my mouth to say something, but it seems ridiculous even now.
My husband’s death was ruled an accident. Even after the insurance company hired someone to prove there was no way Michael could have slid off that bridge and sustained the damage to his car that he did, in the end, the police closed the case. There was no one to go after. No reason to do anything but accept the reality that my husband was gone.
“Poppy, if there is anything else I should know about…” Phantom’s voice is low, and the protectiveness of his hand on my knee sends the tiny hairs on my arms to attention. “Anyone who could be behind this.”
He tightens his fingers around my knee when he says “anyone.” The thin fabric of my dress separates his hand from my bare skin.
I’ve always been able to take care of myself and my son, but this is too much. Who’s ever prepared for the kind of mess that someone left in my house?
I rally my courage and meet Phantom’s eyes. If he’s going to help me, I want to be honest. Could there be any connection between my husband’s accident and this? There can’t be, but I don’t want to hold anything back.
“There was a concern when Michael died that he might have been run off the road intentionally. An investigation was done, and the police determined that it was just a terrible accident. I can’t imagine that anyone would wait eight years if they have some kindof grudge against my family. That wouldn’t make sense. Nothing’s changed. I live in the same house. Nothing about my life is new.”
Nothing except my totally irresponsible attraction to this man.
He listens intently, his eyes following my lips as I speak. I look down at his hand on my knee, and he slowly pulls it back.
Phantom practically leaps from the chair and is on the phone before I know what’s happening. He barks orders to someone called Hawk and then points at Savage. “Round-the-clock surveillance,” he says. “You see anything, you tell me before you stop and take a piss break. We clear?”
Savage grins, and the look on his face is, well, savage. “Crystal. I’ll get the word out. We’ll find the fucker behind this.”
Savage claps Phantom on the back and then leaves. I hear him yell goodbye to the girls just as the credits of the movie start playing.
“Sounds like bedtime,” Phantom says, jerking a thumb toward the living room. “Come on. Let’s get you and your boy set up.”
“Phantom…” I stand up and put my glass in the sink, then shake my head and stare down at my hands. “I can’t stay here. I can’t impose like that. I’m not your problem. I’m totally sober now, and I can just take Jax and check in to a hotel for the night. Tomorrow, we’ll go to my mom’s, and…”
He’s standing between me and the living room, but I don’t feel trapped. Instead, I feel safe. His body is a wallbetween me and anything out there that might hurt me. I hate that I feel so drawn to him. Yes, I’m weak right now. I know that, but I have had to be strong for so, so long. I don’t want to leave, but it’s the right thing to do. To stand up on my own two feet and get my son and myself to safety.
Before I can say another word, he lifts my chin until my eyes meet his. Those beautiful midnight-blue eyes flash with something I wish I understood. “Poppy.” His voice is low, and the growl underneath my name makes my belly flip.
I lick my lips and swallow nervously.
“Poppy.” This time, my name ends in a groan that betrays the same powerful attraction to me that I can’t deny I’m feeling for him.
I flutter my eyes closed so he can’t bewitch me with those eyes. “Phantom.”
He lowers his lips to my ear and whispers against my hair. “Stay with me,” he says. “Let me make sure you and your son are safe. I want you here until I sort this shit out. You can go home as soon as you tell me that’s what you want.” I feel him reach out and stroke one of the long curls that hangs over my bare shoulder. His fingers just barely touch my skin, and I suck in a shocked breath.
This man.
His touch.
My God, it’s electric.
Everything about him.
