“’Night.”
“G’night.”
He clicked off and dropped his phone on the seat beside him.His eyes burned with fatigue.Fresh air would give him a second wind and a chance to survey the neighborhood.He climbed out of his car and tucked his phone in his pocket.His Glock was already in its holster, and he dangled a flashlight in his fingers.
Walking to the sidewalk, he took a closer look at Dez’s yard.Neat flower boxes hung off the front porch.The windows had blue shutters, and the curtains were drawn tightly.Not a light shone from inside.
He walked past her house and scanned the street.The houses were spread apart a good distance—enough that the area wasn’t overcrowded and one could assume everyone had a nice-sized backyard.
The alleyway that started two doors down from Dez’s house curved behind her backyard, stretching behind the row of houses.Not good.Someone could easily get to her yard.
He made his way back to his car and got in.His phone rang and he glanced at the screen.
Wes.Just the person he needed to talk to.
“Hey,” he answered.“Did you hear what happened?”
“Nah, just got in from a hike and saw your text.Sorry I didn’t see it sooner, no reception.”
Aiden stifled a chuckle.Wes was a real backcountry dude.If ever he couldn’t be reached, he was likely in the deep woods—hiking, hunting, or fishing.Aiden often accompanied him, but Wes made it almost a daily ritual to go on his own.He also hosted tours as a guide.
Aiden quickly went over what had happened at Dez’s shop.“Have you seen any new faces around town?Anyone you think could be here to cause trouble?”It was a long shot, but Wes was in the tourism industry, so he might know if anyone unusual was in the area.
“Hmm.I’ll have to check my schedule tomorrow and see who’s booked.I’ve just had my regular hunting groups for the last week or so.”
“No problem.It’s unlikely someone came to harass Desiree and decided to go on a tour, but you never know.Could be someone out for kicks.”
They talked a few more minutes and disconnected.Then Aiden settled back in the seat and folded his arms across his chest.
He drifted off to the memory of Dez asleep in his arms.
***
Whomp,whomp,whomp
The sound stirring the air forced Desiree from the cocoon of sleep around her.She burrowed her face in the pillow and pulled the linen blanket that most definitely was hers up to her cheek.
Whomp,whomp,whomp
She blinked her eyes open.The constant noise fell in sync with the dull throb in her head.Her dark bedroom told her it was still the middle of the night.The events of the last few hours rushed through her mind with the speed of a roller coaster.
What the hell was that sound?Probably the pressure in her head getting ready to blow.
No.Wait.
She closed her eyes to focus on the noise.The room around her was cold, the air tense with warning.She bolted up and switched on her bedside lamp.A breeze touched her skin, and she tilted her head back.The ceiling fan spun in a circle above her bed.
Weird.When had she turned that on?She’d been so tired she’d just fallen into bed, but maybe she’d accidentally hit the switch and not noticed because her head was still so foggy?
Of course that’s what had happened.It’s not as if someone broke into her house to hike up her power bill.
She clicked off the light and settled back into bed.As Dez closed her eyes, Aiden’s face filled her mind, his sexy grin and tousled hair.The temptation to sneak to her front window to see if he was still staked out in his car pulled at her, but she didn’t dare.
Seeing him sitting out there, watching over her, might just break her resolve and make her do something she’d regret—
Squeak
She snapped open her eyes.That sound was very familiar.One she heard often when taking out the trash.She turned toward the ground-floor window opposite her bed.
