I squinted at him suspiciously. “No? So... what did you find out? I’m assuming it’s something to warrant this downright weird visit?”
“The black rose triggered in our database as being linked to an open investigation,” Shephard explained. “The specific variety is rare, called Osiria. It’s native to a remote region of Turkey, so not something readily available at florists. We’re worried that this links you to another victim. We’ve brought uniformed officers with us because until we can verify more information, we think it best you keep a police guard around the clock.”
My brows shot up, and I licked my suddenly dry lips. The guys all seemed fine letting me take the lead on this conversation—and rightly so—but I could practically feel the tension vibrating from all four of them. Eddy was the only normal one in the room, looking as pale and worried as, I’m sure, I was.
“When you say, anothervictim, I take it you don’t mean someone else who is being stalked?” My voice was husky, and I knew the answer before Shephard shook his head.
“Miss Deboi—uh, Riley. These roses are involved in an open murder investigation. A young oil family heiress in Texas was recently stabbed to death in her bed. The only clue left was a black Osiria rose drenched in her blood.” Detective Shephard looked grim as he shared this information. “Obviously, we ask you don’t share these details outside this room, but I need to impress on you the seriousness of your situation. That young lady had been stalked too. Gifts left in her bedroom, roses in her locker at school, things like that. Her family didn’t take it seriously, and she died for it. Please don’t make the same mistake.”
I stared at him for a long moment, searching for the right words. Eventually, Eddy spoke for me. “Thank you for letting us know,” she said with flawless politeness. Of course, she was a Langham heir, too, even if she wasn’ttheheir. “I’m sure Riley would appreciate having your officers watching over the apartment building, but we do have our own security for school.”
I cleared my throat, coughing out the lump of shock and fear that had formed with the news of a murdered heiress who’d been getting the same roses as me. “Yes, what Eddy said. Thank you.”
Detective Shephard frowned at me, looking more like a concerned parent than a police officer in that moment. “Any other roses, or just anything remotely out of place, please be sure to call us. Okay?”
I nodded, biting my lip and trying to erase Carl from my brain. “Thank you for letting us know. Was there anything else?”
The lead detective shook his head and stood up. “That was all for now. Thank you for being amenable to our protections, I’m starting to think the rumors about the Delta heirs is unfounded.” He shook hands with me, then with everyone else, and headed to the door with his partner following.
Just as they were about to step out of my apartment, Riggs paused and looked back, scanning his eyes over all six of us. “You know, you’d all be a hell of a lot safer if you moved back home with your moms and dads. Militant Delta Estate is better guarded than the local prison.”
I gave Riggs—that prick—a sarcastic smile. “I appreciate your suggestion, but I’d rather run my chances with a serial killer than sleep under Catherine Deboise’s roof again. Have a great evening!” I slammed the door in his face before he could respond then turned back to the guys with a glower. “What?” I snapped, watching the Delta masks slipping off their faces, and Evan wrinkled his nose at me.
“You know he probably works for Catherine? The whole Jefferson PD is on Delta’s database.” Evan wandered over to my floor-to-ceiling window and peered down at the street, presumably where tonight’s officers were stationed.
I sighed, flopping down onto the couch and kicking my feet up onto Eddy’s lap. “I know. Catherine can kiss my ass.”
“But also, that’s why I figured it was easier to just accept their cops,” Eddy piped up. “If they’re being paid by Delta anyway, what difference does it make if it’s them or someone else? I figure Beck has his own guys out of sight anyway.”
Beck grunted a noise but didn’t disagree.
Jasper sighed heavily and stood up, grabbing his jacket from where he’d tossed it. “All right, wish me luck. If I’m not back before school, then maybe report me missing.”
He headed out the door, and I shot a confused look at Evan, who grinned wickedly.
“He’s going to see Layla,” he filled me in. “This new development sort of pushes more urgency on checking Huntley’s files, don’t you think?”
Fear coursed through me, and I clenched my fists to stop them trembling. “You think Katelyn might have been killed by this same guy?”
“I’m getting a feeling,” Beck said with a grimace. “This psycho likes heiresses. We need to be more careful. I’ll make some calls.” He disappeared into the outside hall, presumably to make those mysterious calls within his own apartment, which I doubt he’d even slept one full night inside since “moving in” the other week.
Dylan sat down on the couch beside where I had my head propped on a pillow. “You need some food, Riles,” he commented, stroking my messy hair with his fingers. “You barely ate at lunch time.”
Evan snorted a laugh. “She ate plenty... of Beck’s tongue.”
“Shut up,” I growled, throwing a spare cushion at him and missing.
“How about we order Chinese?” Dylan suggested, and my stomach groaned its agreement in unison with Eddy’s enthusiastic approval. “I take that as a yes.” Dylan laughed and pulled out his phone. He didn’t stop stroking his fingers through my hair, instead just using his other hand to find the delivery app and select our favorite foods.
Some time later, Beck returned and took Dylan’s seat, but I was already dozing. A little nap before the food arrived wouldn’t hurt, and the stress of everything was weighing down my eyelids like they were made of lead. Despite the fact I was being stalked by a murderer, plotting a mutiny for my bio-parents’ empire, and working to free my best friend from jail, I couldn’t help but soak in the peace and security of that moment. Lying there, surrounded by my chosen family, the people who I loved and trusted, I could push the bad shit aside.
15
Ihad no idea what woke me, but one minute I was deep asleep and the next my heart was racing and my eyes were wide open. Fear coursed through me like electricity, and I didn’t move for the longest time. I simply lay there, holding my breath and listening for what had woken me. My bedroom was silent, the only sound coming from Beck’s deep breathing as he slept beside me.
That was what finally allowed me to relax. If Beck was still asleep, then it had to have been a bad dream that’d woken me. Still, my heart was pumping, and I doubted I’d be getting back to sleep any time soon. Beck’s arm was heavy around my waist, and when I tried to slide out of bed, he tightened his grip, pulling me back into his body.
“Where are you going?” he mumbled without opening his eyes. His voice was so thick, I doubted he was even really awake.
