“He was the guy Lucian and Oscar were pushing around that day you got to town, outside Callie’s studio. He does a lot of her classes and has shown a…romantic interest in her.”
Antwan’s eyes narrowed.
“It might not be him though,” Lock added. “I’m not sure he’s capable of what this guy’s doing.”
“What do you need from us?” Jesse asked.
“Remain aware of your surroundings. Check the house while you’re home. And if I can’t be with Callie—”
“We’re there,” Antwan cut in, nodding.
“Thank you.” He squeezed Antwan’s shoulder as he passed, grateful to have them here during this difficult time.
When he returned to the bedroom, it was to see Callie’s eyes still closed, her chest moving up and down evenly beneath the sheet. She hadn’t moved an inch since he’d left, and she looked like a damn angel.
He crossed the room and perched on the bed beside her, grazing a lock of hair from her cheek and tucking it behind her ear.
Her eyes scrunched before sliding open, her green gaze meeting his.
“Hey, beautiful.”
The corners of her lips tugged up. “Hey, yourself. You’re awake.”
“I am.”
The smile on her lips faltered. Fuck. Had he given himself away or was she just too good at reading him?
She pushed up into a sitting position. “What is it?”
He didn’t want to tell her. He wanted her to feel safe, like nothing and no one could touch her, but he also couldn’t hide this from her. “Lucian’s brother, Oscar, never showed up for work this morning.”
She frowned, her gaze shifting between his eyes.
“And it looks like there was an altercation in his house,” Lock finished.
She nodded quickly. Too quickly. “First Lucian after he shoved me, then Oscar after he attacked me. This basically confirms it’s my stalker.”
Lock’s back teeth ground together. “It looks that way. I’m sorry.”
“It’s not your fault. You don’t need to be sorry. I just…I hope he’s okay. He was a jerk, but I don’t want someone else dying because of me.”
“Hey. Even if the worst-case scenario eventuates, and they do find a body, itis notbecause of you. It’s because ofhim,the asshole who won’t leave you alone.”
“But if—”
“No,” he cut in. “You didn’t ask for any of this. Not the notes. The attention. The fucking watching you.”
“Oh my gosh, you’re right. He must have been watching me!” She straightened. “Wait, when I was driving to my dad’s yesterday, I thought someone might have been following me.”
“Did you get a license plate?”
Disappointment dulled her eyes. “No. Sorry. It was a gray BMW though.”
“I’ll let Eastern know.”
She touched a hand to her stomach. “I feel sick.”
He hated this. All of it. “I’m not leaving your side. Okay?”
