“I’m coming with you.Besides, Juno seemed fine when we arrived.Wouldn’t she have acted anxious or barked more?”
“Yes,” Henry said grimly.“Let’s go.”
Maia followed Henry, her gaze darting back and forth, but nothing seemed out of place except her door.She recalled locking it.
“Does someone else have your key?”Henry asked when they’d done a circuit of her house and found nothing unusual.
“I have two house keys on my keyring.I’ve been meaning to separate them.”She pulled out her keys to show him, then stared in consternation.“My spare isn’t here.”
“Did you have them during the attack?”
“I grabbed them to unlock my door to get outside.Oh!You think whoever attacked me took my spare while I was unconscious?”
“That’s exactly what I think.”Henry sounded grim and pissed.“We’ll change your locks this afternoon.”
“Perhaps they were watching and saw us leave.”
“Yeah.The alarm didn’t go off, which means no one entered your house.”
Maia bit her lip.“It wasn’t Samuel.He was in the cafe.”
“Exactly, so either he organized this, or it’s someone else entirely.”
“I don’t think Samuel would do that.He prefers to control every situation, which is why my leaving him cut so deep.”She scowled.“Why is this person hassling me?”
“I don’t know, but they were lucky Juno didn’t crash through the door and take them out.She would’ve tried.”
“What should I do?I can’t keep looking over my shoulder.”The throbbing in her skull took on a deeper intensity, and she lifted her hand to massage the nagging pain.“I have no idea what this person wants or what imaginable crime I’ve committed to earn this attention.”
Henry reduced the space between them.He embraced her carefully, the puppy between them.His silent comfort made her wilt, and her fight seeped away.She had deadlines and needed to train.She’d worked hard to get this contract, determined to succeed because her aunt had told her she was useless and unworthy, that her parents would’ve been ashamed of her.Part of her worried her little-girl memories of them weren’t accurate, her views from the lens of a child rather than the adult she’d become.No!She refused to let her persecutor sway her for the same reason she’d forbidden herself to succumb to her aunt’s machinations.
Her parents had chosen a school for her and set up the trust, making some matters non-negotiable.They’d cared enough to do this should anything happen to them.They’d loved her as much as she’d loved them.
“Maia, I can’t be here with you all the time.What would you say to staying with me?There’s always someone around.We have excellent security.Give yourself time to recover from your concussion.”He drew back a fraction when the puppy whimpered.“This puppy will require patience and constant attention until she gets comfortable.It would help me if you could watch her.”
Maia wanted to argue, but he was right.She would constantly look for threats.“Just until I recover and can play again.”She didn’t verbalize her fears that this might set her back and that she’d remain on the bench.
“Good.”He grinned, and her breath caught.“I didn’t think you’d agree so easily.Just so you know, I’m inviting you to stay in my apartment.I have a spare room.”
Her brows rose, her spirits lifting.“And if I want to share your bed?”
His smile broadened.“I’d love that.We can set up a workspace once you’re healed.”
“Thank you.”She glanced at her front door and barely suppressed her shudder.“Do you think this person is following me around?Watching me?I didn’t notice anything.”
“Neither did I,” Henry said, his manner turning grim, “but that’s something we should consider.I’ll call Laura and she can question Samuel if he’s still at the station.You pack your bags.We’ll organize new locks for your front and rear doors.Your window locks require replacement.”
Maia hesitated before nodding.“Let me know the costs, and I’ll reimburse you.”
“You don’t need to pay.We have the materials in stock.”
“It’s important to reimburse you.For me, I mean.”
He stared for long seconds, measuring her determination.“Okay, but you get parts at cost.My labor is free.”
She lifted her chin.“In exchange for helping to look after the puppy and cooking and cleaning during my stay.”
He capitulated immediately.“Deal, but your headaches need to subside first.I can tell you’re in pain.You pack while I scout around and check on your car.I’m also curious to learn if the vehicle parked in the lane.I’ll take the puppy with me and leave Juno with you.Lock the door, okay?”
