“What’s that?” I asked. Vortex flinched and tried to stand in the way, but I moved past him and blinked.
To the side was an ornate wreath. It had a silver ribbon diagonally across it that said, ‘RIP AMY.’ “What the hell?” I gasped.
“Amy, come on. There’s something seriously off here,” Vortex stated. I allowed him to pull me inside, where the two officers waited. One frowned when he saw Vortex.
“Did you see that flower arrangement?” Vortex asked.
“Yes, does it mean anything?” the female officer inquired.
“Amy, sit down. You’ve gone pale,” Vortex ordered. I nodded and let him lead me to the sofa. “Amy is one of the eight survivors of the Titanic of the Skies crash. Her name has been kept out of the media spotlight. That wreath outside, yeah, it means someone majorly fucked up.”
Instantly, their demeanour changed. “The Feds are leading this?” the male officer asked.
“Yes. We have to let them know. This could be a mistake, but Amy’s name hasn’t been released anywhere,” Vortex said.
My hands began shaking, and I stared at them. What was happening? How had a wreath with my name on it been sent?
“Could it have been meant for Natasha and sent here by error?” I murmured.
Vortex shook his head. “Not at three in the morning, babe. And I checked your locks on the way in. Somebody was trying to get in. There are scratch marks around the lock.”
My breath shuddered as I tried to understand this. Vortex moved away and spoke to the cops. I was quite happy to let him deal with this.
Was the wreath a threat? Was this a warning to me that they knew my name and were showing me that? No, that didn’t make sense whatsoever.
“Babe.” I looked up into Vortex’s face. “The officers are calling the Feds, but you’re not staying here alone tonight. Can you pack a bag with some clothes and stuff? I’m taking you to Merritt. You’ll stay with me.”
I flinched when he said Merritt. That’s where the accident happened. Vortex seemed able to read my mind.
“Brave girl, you can’t see the crash site from the town. Either come with me, or I sleep here, and that couch isn’t big enough,” Vortex quipped lightly. Even though his tone was steady, his eyes burned with emotion. Vortex was angry and worried. If he was, then I was, too.
“Okay,” I whispered.
“Go and pack, brave girl. Jeans, sweaters, some nightclothes, and anything else you might need. A backpack will do,” he said. I nodded and hurried off.
My mind was whirling as I packed two pairs of jeans, a pair of yoga pants, three tees, a sweater, underwear, and the usual things a woman needed. Most of my go-to items had burned upin the crash, but I tried not to think about it. I owned plenty of clothes. The backpack was ready to burst by the time I’d finished. I tied a pair of sneakers’ laces together to hang them around my neck and picked the bag up with a grunt.
Quickly, I changed into some dungarees and grabbed a jumper. I pulled a hat over my ears as it was cold outside and put on a coat. Realising I still had my slippers on, I kicked them off and shoved my feet into a pair of moon boots. I wriggled my toes against the inner fur before heading out.
Vortex moved and took my pack the moment he saw me. “Okay?” he asked, searching my face.
“Yeah. I don’t know what’s happening, but if you’re worried, I’m sticking with you,” I replied softly. Vortex nodded, his eyes beaming approval.
“The feds ordered the locals to take the wreath. They’ll also fingerprint the door. I’ve told them they can speak to you at Merritt in the morning around eleven.”
“Okay,” I whispered. Vortex sent the cops a chin lift, and we all headed out. Vortex made sure the door was locked, and then we walked downstairs.
“Have you ridden a Harley before?” Vortex asked, and I shook my head. “It’s easy. I’ll get on first and balance the bike, and you swing up behind me. See those bars—put a foot on that to help throw your leg over. That pipe there is the exhaust; don’t touch it, it gets hot. Keep your arms tight around me. When I lean, you lean, but don’t overbalance, okay?”
“Got it, I think,” I whispered.
“Amy, I’d prefer you had a helmet, but I won’t crash or have an accident. I’m a safe rider,” he assured me.
My teeth pulled my bottom lip. “Vortex, I do trust you.”
“Good.” He smiled and helped me don the backpack before mounting the huge Harley. His long legs kept the bike steady as I put my foot where he told me to. I swung up and over and gaspedas I settled in behind Vortex. Unsure how tightly to hold on, I placed my hands on his waist. Vortex grabbed them, hauled me closer and wrapped them around his stomach. Oh boy. This was intimate.
Despite everything going on, my body reacted. Vortex was a handsome guy, and his smile was blinding. His fair hair and ice-blue eyes would affect any woman. He wasn’t bulky, although he was tall. Goosebumps broke out on my skin, but for a different reason this time. My nipples tightened, and I thanked God I was wearing a thick coat.
