I nod, unable to say coherent words as my stomach rolls. I glance around, but nothing will stop my nerves until I reach Burke.
After the trash is in the Dumpster, I walk Bailey to her car and run to the Lexus. “See you tomorrow,” she says when she drives by.
I wave and get into the car.
“Dragonfly, what’s wrong?”
I hand him the envelope and wring my hands. “This was left in the store today. What am I gonna do?”
He thumbs through them and curses. “Don’t worry, I’ll try to figure this out.”
Burke pulls out his other phone and mutters into it something about the pictures and security.
Eleven
Burke
“Who would blackmail me?” she whispers.
“Clara, we’re going to get to the bottom of this. I promise.”
I finish the conversation with Curt and start the car. Someone is connected, and I’ll do whatever I can to keep her safe. Technically they didn’t ask for anything, but still, trying to intimidate her isn’t going to work.
I’ve increased security at the house, but I didn’t think about the store. Rookie move. I should have been more vigilant. “Clara, do you know anyone your stepfather was close to?”
“No, as far as I know he just had some drinking buddies. I’ve only ever known him to be a drunk who rots at home. Andrew’s family died before he kicked me out at sixteen. I think it was the kindling that set the fire to get rid of me.”
“I’ve told Curt to meet me at the house. We’ll go over this, and if I have to, I’ll have security detail put on you.” Reaching over, I hold her hand, trying to comfort her while my mind races.
“Burke, I adore you and stuff, but I’ve been under someone’s thumb for my entire life. I can’t have someone watching me non-stop.”
I grit my teeth—she’s right, but her safety is important to me. “It wouldn’t be for long. Just to catch this son of a bitch.”
“You can call me names, belittle me—fuck, kick me to the curb. I understand, but I can’t be controlled again. I know you think you get what it’s like to be pushed down like a thumb tack, but you really don’t.”
Pulling into the driveway, I turn off the car and lean back against the head rest. “I respect your decision. You aren’t going anywhere, and you’re one of the strongest people I’ve ever met.”
Clara squeezes my hand and grabs her bag before hopping out of the car. Sighing, I get out and lock the Lexus.
A sleek black car pulls in next to mine, and Curt steps out. “Good evening, miss,” he says to Clara.
Crossing her arms, she glances at him. “I don’t want any security detail. Don’t let him fool you.”
I close my eyes for a minute, not wanting to ruin how far her healing has come. I let out a breath while opening my eyes and leaning against the car.
“I’ll keep him in line, alright?” Curt says to her with a smirk.
Staring at her as she grins and sprints up into the house. Once the door is closed, Curt’s gaze burns into the side of my head.
“I suggested it. It was dumb. I don’t want to ruin anything for her. Just protect her.”
He toes the ground, scuffing his shoe. “Yeah, I get it, but she’s strong. Maybe arm her with some protection, but don’t stifle her.”
I hand him the pictures, and he goes through them. “I’ll see what I can come up with and do a deeper dive on her background, along with the whole damn family.”
“Thanks. I’ll see how I can smooth things over here. Do you think putting cameras up at the diner is overkill?”
He flops the folder onto his passenger seat. “For now I’d advise against it. She needs you in her corner, but with care. I can have someone do some patrol around the diner, but otherwise she’s gonna feel like you’re trapping her, and she’s spent her entire life in a psychological cage.”
