Jessica wraps her arms and legs around me, holding on for dear life.
“I’ve gotcha, Trouble,” I whisper, my voice tight as I squeeze her to me, my lips brushing against her neck and inhaling her sweet scent. “You’re safe now.”
I’m not sure which one of us I’m trying to reassure, but it doesn’t matter. She’s here with me. She’s going to be fine.
Over her shoulder, I catch sight of Nico going toward the house.
Gritting my teeth, I know I can’t let him do this on his own. Yes, Jessica said she thinks the guy left, but…
“Hey, I have to put you down for a bit.” Her arms tighten around me before I can even finish. “I know, but we need to clear the house.”
“He left.” Jessica pulls back, her red-rimmed eyes meeting mine. The raw fear in them makes my heart ache. “You don’t think he’s still inside, do you?”
“No,” I say quickly. Maybe a bit too quickly. “It’ll just take a few minutes, and I’ll be back, okay?”
Jessica nibbles at the corner of her mouth but nods. I press my mouth against her forehead before gently putting her on her feet, every muscle in my body protesting it.
“Get in the car. I’ll be back before you know it.”
She doesn’t even try to argue or tell me I’m bossy before getting back in the car. Only when I know she’s safe do I turn toward the house and go after Nico, who’s standing on the porch. The automatic light doesn’t turn on when I move closer. The fucker must have disabled it earlier. Our gazes meet, a silent understanding passing between us.
My fingers wrap around the handle of my gun, and I pull it from the holster. The door is partially open, so Nico nudges it with his foot and then scans the place before slipping inside quietly. I glance over the yard before entering the house after him.
My heart is beating wildly as we go from room to room. The place is a mess. There is broken glass and things thrown to the floor.
I tighten my grip on the gun as we move to the back of the house where the bedroom is located.
“All clear,” Nico mutters, his hands dropping as he reaches for the radio attached to his shoulder and calls it in.
I turn around and find the light switch, flipping it on. The bright light blinds me temporarily. I need to get back out and check on Jessica. Make sure she’s all right, but I want to see what the hell he did to her home. Maybe it was just a random burglary, not that it makes it any better, but…
“Fuck.” Nico’s low curse makes the hair at my nape rise.
I turn around, my stomach dropping as I see the destruction that was havocked in the bedroom. Whoever did this was angry. Very angry.
The closet and dresser are both open, with clothes tossed around the room. The bedding was pulled off the bed, pillows and mattress ripped. Picture frames and trinkets are on the floor, shattered glass glinting in the light, but it’s not that that draws my attention.
No, it’s the big red letters standing out boldly on the white wall behind her bed.
Deny it all you want, but you’re mine.
Then there are pictures.
Hundreds of pictures.
Some are of Jessica alone. Out in town. Coming from work or volunteering. At The Hut. Going to the gym. Through the window of Reading Nook as she laughs at something.
And then some are of her with me.
Not that anybody could tell, because my face has been scratched out.
But it’s clearly me.
Us.
On that ludicrous double date.
Out in town.
