I nod, but he can’t see that. My breath stutters as I try to catch my breath. “Uh-huh.”
Last night was everything. It was perfect. My life was perfect.
Today was spent without a thought regarding the stalker. Even Thor commented on how quiet I was.
“Junior, you’ve barely said two words all day. I’d be worried about you if it weren’t for how fucking smiley you are.”
I laughed in response. Of course I did, I spent most of the hours dreaming about a future with Logan and what that might look like. Not just us, but the shop, owning it together as we grow old—and now that peace has been obliterated.
The night captured in these photos was special to me, the things he said to me were meaningful and sacred . . . but weweren’t alone. It wasn’t just an intimate moment between us; someone was lurking. Watching and snapping photos of us while we were too wrapped up in each other to notice.
“I’m on my way,” he says. “Take a deep breath. Tell me what happened.”
Odin bounds inside the house, and Logan is barely through the doorway before I’m crashing into him. He swallows me up in his big arms and tucks me into his chest where I fill my lungs with his scent. He runs his fingers over my hair, pulling a couple wild strands from the messy bun piled on top of my head. I exhale for what feels like the first time since opening that envelope.
“I’m so sorry,” he whispers.
I withdraw from his embrace, picking up the stack of photos I collected off the floor and hand them to him. His jaw tenses with every image he flips through. There’s a faint click as the bone pops, and I worry that if he applies any more pressure, he might fracture a molar. His temples flush. I’ve never seen him like this.
“They’re really clear. I can’t figure out how they took them, they’re zoomed in?—”
“They’re from a drone,” he says, dropping the photos on the counter and grabbing his phone.
“What are you doing?”
“I’m having Casper go to my place to sweep for bugs, cameras, anything that might be watching.”
A tremor rolls up my spine, making my shoulders shiver. The possibility of more devices has me sick to my stomach.
“Then he’s going to do the same thing here. For now, I want you to get your things. Whatever you need. You’re going to be staying with me.”
Odin leans against my leg.
“Hey, Odie,” I croon, crouching down, wrapping my arms around him and squeezing. He rests his chin on me, almost hugging me back. “Oh, I have something for you . . . Just in case you forgot who your favorite person was.”
I turn around and open the fridge door, then remove the dog-bone-shaped container and peel off the lid. He sniffs around the dish before gingerly taking bites of the peanut butter dog treats we made the night I attempted to stay home alone.
“I’m supposed to have dinner with my neighbor, Herb?—”
“Kelly,” he cautions, exasperated. “I’m not arguing about this.”
I open my mouth and close it again, knowing it’s the right move. “I’ll reschedule the dinner,” I say, standing again.
Logan hauls me into his chest, and I melt into the safety of his arms. His hand slides up to the back of my neck; he squeezes, then works his thumb into my shoulders where I’m carrying too much tension. “It’s going to be okay.”
He utters the words low and certain, as if he already knows the outcome of this situation and is sure of fixing it. He’s protecting me in a way that feels like possession. The part of me that wants to cling to fear tells me it’s hopeless—but I trust Logan because Logan doesn’t gamble with what’s his.
I did some ink for one of the head chefs at a nice restaurant downtown, and he was able to get us a great table last minute. I’m pulling every fucking string I have to give her a night worth remembering, including a dress I picked up for her from one of the boutiques downtown that she’s currently changing into. It’s a distraction.
“Ready to go soon?” I call up to her from the main level of my loft, tucking my hair behind my ears.
“Almost!”
According to my watch, we’ve got a few minutes before we have to leave. The click of her heels on the floor above has my pulse ticking. As soon as my eyes land on her, I am hypnotized. She walks down the stairs like it’s a punishment—like she knows exactly what she’s doing to me. I picked out the dress myself, and she still has my jaw dropping.
“Goddamn, Chaos.” That’s exactly what she is in that scarlet dress, pure chaos. A fucking menace. She’s going to break necks tonight. I’m suddenly regretting the dinner reservation. Why the fuck didn’t I just cook her dinner myself, I could have her half naked again by now.
“Thank you for the beautiful dress.” She swallows. “Do you think he’ll be watching us tonight?"
