“It’s been empty for months,” she said, heading for the door. “I don’t like it empty. Things have a way of breaking and leaking. It’s better if it’s occupied. You’d be doing me a favor by staying here.”
My eyes narrowed, but I didn’t say anything. Instead, I followed her out of the apartment. I turned off the light and locked the door.
She gestured to the other side of the landing. “That stairwell leads down into the store. So you can get to the apartment either directly through the store or the back door and stairs.”
I followed her down the front stairs and out into the vacant area.
“What used to be here?” I asked.
“Several things over the years. My late husband bought me the building as an anniversary gift.” She smiled thoughtfully. “He wasn’t very romantic. But he was practical. And he wanted to make sure I was taken care of. I always appreciated that about him.”
“Romance doesn’t pay the bills, does it?”
“No, it definitely doesn’t,” she agreed. She gestured with her chin in the direction of the bar. “Speaking of romance . . . you better get back to your date.”
CHAPTER TWELVE
Town
“It’s cute, right?” I asked.
“Very cute,” Brooks agreed as he looked around the apartment, though his frown belied his statement.
“You don’t like it.” I sighed. “What’s wrong with it?”
Without saying a word, he went to the door and fiddled with the knob. “A child could pick this lock. Don’t even get me started on the one on the back door. And there’s no security system.”
“It’s Huckleberry Hill. I don’t even need a security system.”
“Freckles, you need a security system no matter where you live. I’m putting one in. And I’m changing the locks.”
I glared at him and crossed my arms over my chest in a measure of defiance.
He straightened his spine. “This isn’t me overstepping. This is me wanting to make sure you’re safe.”
“I appreciate that. What I’m not okay with is you steamrolling me and telling me how it’s going to be.”
A muscle in his jaw ticked. “I thought I was safe. And then in the middle of the night, my cell door opened, and two huge fuckers tried to kill me just to prove a point.”
My breath hitched.
“Please,” he said softly. “I just want to protect you.”
I ripped my gaze from his and stalked to the window that overlooked the main street. Darkness blotted the sky. Streetlamps illuminated concrete sidewalks and closed storefronts. It was a sleepy little town tucked away in the mountains, bedded down for the night.
What could possibly happen here?
His steps were heavy as he trekked toward me, but when he was standing behind me, he didn’t touch me.
Still, I could feel the heat of him. He was a presence.
Solid.
Commanding.
It should’ve been overwhelming. The way he wanted to take charge and ensure my safety.
I turned to face him and peered up. His expression was stoic, but I knew what it cost him to remind me of his time in prison.
