The reality of what he’s doing hits me with a stunning blow.
He’s hiding me. So he can go off after the gunman on his own.
“No.” I pull away from Caleb’s arm and turn to face him. “I’m not staying here while you put yourself in danger. I want you to stay with me.”
“I need to go out there, V. I need to find the person who shot at us. If I wait, they’ll get away.” He puts his hand on my back and gently pushes me towards thebench. “If they get away, there’s no way to know when they’ll come back.”
I know what he’s saying is true. But there are other options. Security cameras set up around the property. Added security. A safehouse. Anything other than Caleb venturing out into the night to confront someone intent on killing at least one of us.
“Caleb.” My voice wobbles. “I don’t want you to get hurt.”
“I won’t.” In the faint light, his features are set in hard lines and angles. His gaze meets mine, fierce with determination. “I was trained for this, V. Whoever’s out there, they’re no match for me. I just need to find them. Neutralize—” He stops. “I need to know you’re safe. I can’t do what I need to do otherwise.”
Every cell of my being wants to beg him to stay. And if that doesn’t work, refuse to hide unless he agrees to hide with me.
But if I trust him…
I need to let him go.
Tasting salt on my lips, I whisper. “Okay. I’ll hide.”
He stares at me for a second. Then he pulls me in for a quick hug and presses a kiss to the top of my head. “It’s going to be okay, V. I’ll find that asshole. Make sure you never have to worry about him again.”
Then he pushes me towards the bench again. And this time, I allow him.
Once I’m under the workbench, Caleb says, “Wait. I’ll be right back.” Turning, he hurries across the basement to the opposite corner of it. He hunches over to rummage in a box, but it’s too dark to tell what he’slooking for. Seconds later, he stands and heads back towards me, not running, but not walking, either.
Crouching before me, he hands me his phone. “The security code is 7924. I need you to call 911,” he says. “And then I want you to call Enzo. His number is in my recent calls. Tell him what’s happening and ask for backup.”
“Enzo?” I ask.
“Yes. He owns a security company in town. He and his teammates, they’re all vets. Highly-trained. And Enzo’s only a few miles away. He might be able to get here before the police. Just call him. Okay?”
I take the phone from him. “Okay.”
“And this,” Caleb continues. In my other hand, he places a small gun. I flinch at the chill of metal against my skin. My stomach flips over. “It’s loaded. All you have to do is release the safety”—he puts my finger on it—“and pull the trigger. If someone tries to hurt you, shoot them.”
Shootsomeone? Put abulletin them?
A scared sound works its way up my throat.“Caleb.”
“You shouldn’t have to,” he replies. “But it’s better you have it than not.”
Then he draws back and looks at me. Guilt is all over his face. “I’m sorry, Vienna. If there were any other way…”
More tears dampen my lips.
Accepting the gun terrifies me almost as much as letting him go.
But I have to. So I swallow hard and say, “I know. Just… be careful. Please.”
“I will.” He stares at me for another second before ducking back beneath the workbench to kiss me. “This will all be over before you know it.”
His hand brushes across my cheek.
Then he pulls away, straightens, and jogs across the basement to the stairs. As he jogs up them, his figure dissolves into darkness. All I can hear is the soft sound of his feet on the stairs. When he reaches the top of them, he calls back, “I’m going to lock the door from the other side. It’s a deadbolt, and I’m taking the key with me. So only you and me can open it.”
“Do you want me to lock it from this side?” I ask. “If it’s faster?—”
