First things first.
I needed to have a very long conversation with Fleur. Whether or not she wanted to be, she was indirectly but very deeply involved in the situation.
Without wasting time, I grabbed another weapon and ammunition, ignoring the pain in my leg as I headed to the SUV.
Calling her wasn’t an option. If I knew the girl at all, she’d immediately resist my request to have a conversation. Right now, the only option was the element of surprise.
If she wasn’t at her house, I’d head to the store. At this point, she couldn’t hide from me. I’d tear through the city to find her.
As I slammed my foot down on the accelerator, I asked myself the question as to whether I was determined to find her because of her possible involvement or because I gave a damn about her.
There were a few certainties.
She would talk.
And if I believed her to be innocent, she’d fall under my protection. After that, I’d make a decision.
The thought I’d had from the night before and the one before that lingered in the forefront of my mind.
She belonged to me.
As I swerved around several vehicles on the two-lane road, my thoughts lingered on aspects of the night before. Her scent, which had kept me company all night.
The taste of her sweet lips that the whiskey had refused to hide.
The lingering ache in my cock, the soreness giving way to an additional wave of hunger.
And the visions of her face popping into my mind.
I flexed my hand, still able to feel the warm clay between my fingers. What kind of spell had the little empath bestowed on me?
One thing was certain. The Ouija board hadn’t lied. The spirits had simply got the timing wrong.
Bad men weren’t coming. They were already in town.
With a sharp turn, I rolled down her short driveway, coming to a skidding stop in front of her house. Her car wasn’t parkedout front. Something prompted me to take a look around her property anyway. The door was still locked, but nothing my credit card couldn’t handle.
I’d need to teach her how to be much more careful with security.
As soon as I ventured inside, the sweet essence of vanilla and jasmine infused my senses. The scent was very much appropriate for her. There was no sound and nothing appeared disturbed. As I passed by the Ouija board, it was impossible not to smile. She relied on the damn game to provide her with insights.
Moving through her house, I searched for any signs she’d connected with her brother. My instinct was working overtime, telling me she’d gone to meet with him. Chastising myself for not insisting the three of us have a discussion wasn’t going to help at this point. I needed her trust at this point, or I’d place her in additional danger.
There was no sign of her in her bedroom or her small office. I took a few seconds inside the tiny room, noticing the few pictures she had on a credenza. Three silver frames held photographs of her store, including the opening. Seeing them brought additional thoughts of my father.
The fourth photo had been taken years before. She had her arm draped around a young man. Danny. They were both much younger, standing under an oak tree. Her little family that she’d tried very hard to keep together.
I brushed the tip of my finger across the image of her face before backing away. Her life was about to be upended.
Once inside the kitchen, I noticed a coffee mug near a Keurig machine with a piece of paper lying next to it. She couldn’t have been gone long. The coffee was still warm.
The moment I read the content, I smiled.
Bingo.
Now I knew where to find Danny. As soon as I did, he’d be required to explain why he was in town.
Then I’d do what was necessary to keep my family safe.
