I braced for the mini war I knew was coming.
She surprised me with a quick “Despite the circumstances, it’s good to see you.”
“Good to see you, too.”Saw more than I should have.
I squeezed my eyes shut for a few seconds, needing to ground myself and think of Audrey as a client to protect. As Ryder’s sister. As a widow to a man who died wearing the uniform.
That last thought had my stomach turning. Guilt, thick and hot, coursed through my veins at that reminder.
When I opened my eyes, the first thing I saw was the carved cross on the door. Twined in vines, it glowed at me like a message. A 3D warning to behave. As if on cue, a phantom sting from the bullet wound where my ex-wife had shot me had me pressing the hand holding the key to the scar.
Yeah, yeah, I know. I get it, I get it. Don’t fall for anyone ever again—especially not her, of all people.My brain and body were collaborating to signal that message as clearly as possible.
“You didn’t have to come, you know,” she spoke up, closer now. “Trevor’s good at this stuff. Has lots of friends and family who are good at it, too.”
So he said.I almost turned around. Almost risked welcoming death-by-Ryder. “I know. But Ryder’s better at giving orders than taking them, so here I am.” I smirked, wasting that smile on the door. “So it was me or Reed, and Reed’s better with dogs than people. Consider yourself lucky.”
I could feel her presence behind me. Her heat. The faint scent of whatever she’d used to lather her very, very naked—
Nope.
Not going there.
I needed to Houdini myself from there and go gouge out my eyes. I still couldn’t believe this had happened.Damn my luck.“Glad you’re okay. I’ll be in my room. You know, not going anywhere. Staying here whether anyone wants me to or not. Ensuring you’re safe and locking your door from now on.”
“Figured as much. Didn’t take you as a quitter.” That teasing tone lit a fire under me.
I grabbed my bag and left her room before I could change my mind.
Door shut, I tested the handle, waiting for her to do what she should have done the first time to avoid our awkward encounter.
Satisfied at the sound of her lock being turned, I finally took off.
After shutting myself in Room 9, I chucked my bag by the bed and went over to the dresser.
Hands down, eyes on the mirror, my dark gaze stared back at me like a stranger. Well, like someone I hadn’t seen in forever.
The me before I married Beth.
The me before my ex-wife tried to kill me.
The me before I’d made up my mind to never fall in love again.
And that was enough to scare my ass back two steps, send my hands through my black hair and my eyes away from the mirror to the cedar beam overhead.
Jaw tight, body strung up, I cursed in Spanish, then hissed in English, “I’m so fucked.”
Chapter Five
Audrey
“Move to Colorado. Sure, why not?” I muttered to myself. “Start over like I’m the title to a Chris Stapleton song expecting better luck? Who wouldn’t want that?”
I knocked my forehead against the door twice, forgetting I’d been hit on the head only last night and the pain still lingered.
“House broken into. Forced to move in with my ex. Brother’s best friend down the hall just saw me naked.” I pressed my hands next to my head by the door, trying to get a grip. “Yup, everything’s going perfect. Luck has for sure changed moving here.”
Why, God, why?I lifted my eyes to the ceiling, waiting for a response. After I was met with only silence, I remembered I still needed to dry my hair and get dressed.
