He double-checked that everything was locked up before heading to the back door. He was halfway there when the handle rattled from the other side.
What the hell?
His next steps were slower. When he turned the lock and opened the door, he stepped out just in time to see the back of someone in a black hooded sweatshirt, running away.
Thefuck? Was it the same guy who’d attacked Harper less than a week ago? He’d looked about the same size.
He wanted to chase after the asshole, but he was already out of sight—and for all Cody knew, already in a car. Plus, he didn’t want to leave Harper inside alone.
Tommy brushed against Cody’s legs, and he bent down and petted him. “Do you know who that man was, Tom Tom?”
He got a purr in response.
Once Tommy’s bowl was filled, and Cody had given him one last pat, he rose and pulled his phone from his pocket to call his brother.
“Cody, everything okay?”
“A guy just tried to open the back door of the bar. When I stepped out, he ran. He matched the physique of Harper’s alley attacker that night.”
Eastern cursed. “I’ll send some guys to patrol the streets. You make sure your place is locked up.”
“Will do. And Eastern, if you find anything, I want to be the first to know.”
CHAPTER 15
“How are you feeling today?” Tilly asked.
Harper sipped her iced coffee. They’d just left Sugar and Spice and were enjoying a short walk before going back to Tilly’s car. Harper had quickly discovered it wasn’t just cupcakes and cookies that Mrs. Sandler did freakishly well. The cold drinks, the hot drinks, and the donuts were mouthwatering. The shop had become somewhat of a hub for her.
“A lot better,” she finally answered. “I think it was some twenty-four-hour flu. I’m just so grateful for Cody.”
Tilly gave her a warm smile. “It’s nice that he looked after you. He’s a good guy.”
“He’s been so amazing. Last night, after he made me breakfast for dinner, we watched a movie together on the couch and I fell asleep. When I woke up, I was in bed because he’d carried me there and tucked me in, all without waking me. I don’t actually think he’s real.”
Tilly chuckled. “Extraterrestrial?”
“He has to be. I’ve never met a man like him. He’s too…everything. Kind, considerate—”
“Sexy.”
Harper laughed. “Uh, yeah, way too sexy.”
“Well, I grew up in the same town as him, and I can tell you that unless he came down in a baby spaceship like Clark Kent, he’s real.” She sipped her shake. “He’s always been one of the more relaxed Walker brothers.”
“Do you know his other brothers who are still in the military?”
“Lock and Jace? Not well. Although, I know they’re polar opposites. Lock’s really intense and in some super-secret military program, and Jace is the fearless, fun-loving youngest brother. Not that he’s any less dangerous. They’realldangerous.”
In more ways than one. “So they’re all different?”
“Oh yeah. Even their sister is different than the rest of them. Not that I know her that well, either. But they’re all intrinsically good…even if they don’t all like me.”
She frowned. “Have any of them made it known that they don’t like you?”
Tilly scoffed. “They don’t need to. A lot of people around here don’t like me. If certain people in this town ever looked at me with anything other than contempt, I’d probably die of shock.”
Harper was pretty sure Tilly had been going for dry humor, but the tone of her voice gave her away. It affected her. Hell, it would affect anyone. “I’m sorry.”
