“Then I noticed someone watching me. I noticed things in my apartment had been moved. It had to be either him or someone he hired. And I knew it was just a matter of time until hestruck. But I didn’t have that much money, and I knew I had to go somewhere he wouldn’t find me. And I knew I had to take Biscuit with me, but so many hotels won’t take animals. I felt lost . . . until I remembered that nurse from the hospital.”
He shifted but kept eye contact.
“Based on what she told me, I was able to find the contact information for this place,” Millie continued. “I knew coming here was my only chance to get away and keep my dog. So I turned the tables on Garrick. I followed him. Made sure he was at work. Then I packed a couple bags and left. I drove straight through. Made sure I wasn’t followed.”
Caleb nodded. “Then he shouldn’t know you’re here.”
“I ditched my phone, just like you guys told me when I texted. I didn’t tell anyone where I was going either. I couldn’t risk it.” She paused and licked her lips as her thoughts rose to a crescendo inside her. “I have to figure out a way to finally be free from him, Caleb. Free from him for good. I’m so tired of living in fear.”
Silence settled between them.
Millie met Caleb’s eyes, and she felt the weight of the question she’d been circling since the night before. “You really think you can keep me safe here?”
The question hung in the air.
Everything depended on what Caleb said next.
chapter
eight
Anger coursedthrough Caleb when he heard the details of what Millie had been through. His hands fisted beneath the desk.
He took a deep breath, trying to keep his emotions under control.
He’d have time to think more about what she’d said later. Right now, he needed to think about Millie.
His gaze met hers.
“You’re safe here.” Caleb didn’t say the words because they were magical. He said them because they were true. “This place doesn’t advertise what it really is. Locals think Refuge Cove is a dog rescue and boarding facility. And it is. That part’s real.”
She leaned forward, listening closely. “I love that you work with women—and animals.”
“We have a close-knit network. Hospitals. Social workers. Vets. People who know how to pass along the right information without putting anyone at risk. That’s how women find us. Just like that’s how you found us.”
Her shoulders seemed to ease just slightly.
“We started a year ago,” he continued. “We’re still working out a few kinks, and we have some growing pains. But safetycomes first. Always. More than fifty women have stayed here since we opened our doors. Not one of them was found while they were under our care. This property has never been breached.”
“That’s good to know.”
“And we never rush anyone out. Our guests stay as long as they need, until they’re steady again.”
Millie drew a slow breath. “That’s also good to know.”
The pressure in Caleb’s chest eased. It wasn’t gone, but it felt lighter.
Then Hamilton stood, his hair on end and tail straight, and he barked—a single, sharp warning.
Hamilton didn’t waste noise.
Caleb froze for half a second. “What is it, boy?”
Hamilton looked at him, silently telling him he’d heard something.
Caleb listened for any sounds.
There were none.
