“It was working,” I whisper, and Roan nods.
“I know, but it’s not anymore. No one knew where you were?—”
“We’ll talk aboutthatlater,” Colt grumbles but Roan ignores him.
There hadn’t been any activity from the usual accounts for months. I’d posted vague updates and recycled old material on my social media pages.I was so careful.
I felt confident to take a few days away for a well-earned writing retreat and booked it using a credit card Roan had given me so nothing would trace back to KatorSloane.
Colt opens his mouth to speak, but the voice that rumbles through the air isn’t my brother’s, and the timbre sends a shiver down my spine.
Wow.
“Miss Harrington?” Turning slowly, I take in the man who’s stood so quietly this entire time, I’d forgotten he was even here.
Now that I’ve seen him, though, it won’t be likely I’ll be able to forget him.
Tom Oakden is the quintessential hero—older man with graying hair, strong cheekbones, and chiseled jaw. His posture is both rigid and intentionally relaxed—an illusion.
Just looking at him has my fingers itching to type becauseheis the man readers want, and I could definitely play him up as a silver fox.
“Kat.”
“I won’t tell you I understand,”—he pauses, his gaze sliding to my brother—“or condone the way you were informed this morning, but I will agree that I believe you’re in danger.”
My heart soars and then falls, my brain taking far too long to catch up to the words leaving his perfectly harsh mouth. “You what?”
“I took the plane ride here to look at the situation, and the few things I had access to are disturbing.”
“That’s the nature of the industry.” My tone is flippant. Exasperated. And I’m trying like hell to mask the fear that’s been like a second skin since the fire.
“I’ll be discreet. My team will flush out whoever is doing this and put security measures in place so that you’re more comfortable and confident in your safety.”
“The world knows me for my children’s books. I havetwopresentations next week at schools in the area. Plus a signing at a bookstore that’s supposed to be huge. I can’t just take you with me.”
“You’re not going without him,” Colt remarks, and I’ve never wanted to punch him so hard in my life.
“You won’t even know I’m there.”
“But—”
“Miss Harrington.”
“Kat.”
“I know exactly who and what I need to be in any given situation,” Tom says, his dark eyes never leaving mine. “I will keep you safe.” With an outstretched hand, he adds, “You have my word.”
We shake, but his promise feels like a warning.
Danger.
And it might just be in the form of Tom Oakden.
4
KAT
“No,” I huff as I face off with my brother, “we arenotadding Amelia to the list of possible suspects. She makes me muffins and?—”
