“For what?”
“That night. I didn’t let you explain. And I just ran and cut you off.”
He ran his thumb over her shoulder. “You were young and hurting. We do dumb things when we hurt. Jay has no excuse though.”
“I’m sorry about Jay too. Not that she’s leaving, because I don’t want to share you. But I’m sorry that you’ve lost a friend.”
“Everyone saw it but me. I feel like an idiot. She contributed to what happened that night.” He’d told Maggie everything. She’d been shocked but also said she was relieved. Because it explained everything.
Maggie cupped his cheek. “She was your friend, and you trusted her. There’s nothing wrong with trusting the people we care about.” Her thumb swiped his skin. “Thank you for choosing me.”
He could have laughed. “I will always choose you, Mags.”
“I choose you too.”
“Thank God.” He lowered his head and kissed her. Drowned in her. Completely lost himself.
She moaned, and that sound raced through him.
He climbed over her, about to throw the sheets aside and lose himself in her, when she pushed at his chest. “Ethan, we can’t.”
He shifted his kisses to her neck. “We can.”
She chuckled. “I’m going to Lilith’s house.”
“What?”
“She’s still asking me to come grab those things of mine, so that’s what I’m doing.”
“I’ll come with you.”
“Polly’s coming.”
His brows flickered. “We still haven’t found the person who broke into her house.”
“I know. It’s why I have my bodyguard best friend and her pepper spray.” She pressed a quick kiss to his lips before getting out of bed.
Twenty minutes later, Maggie had showered, grabbed a granola bar, and left with Polly. And damn the house felt quiet without her.
He made coffee before video calling his team from his phone in the kitchen. One by one, they all jumped on.
Ethan’s attention went to Joel. “You got eyes on her?”
“She’s still in her Airbnb.” Joel’s gaze went to the window of his car. “I’ve seen her move across the window, so I know she’s in there, but she hasn’t stepped out yet.”
“You really think she could be behind everything going on with Maggie?” Connor asked.
“I have no idea, because I have no idea who she is anymore. The woman I thought was my friend wouldn’t have kissed me and she wouldn’t have messed with my relationship over a decade ago.” His fingers tightened around his mug. He was still in so much fucking shock.
“She’s good with technology, so it would have been easy for her to use the photos on Maggie’s social media accounts to figure out her location,” Ryan said.
“And I’m sure she knows how to pick locks and gain access to houses like Maggie’s LA home,” Zac added.
“And she has the motive—hurt Maggie because of her connection to me. Because I never got over her.” Ethan’smuscles tensed. That would mean he was partially to blame. He was the link between Maggie and her stalker.
“What about the missing women and Priya Tan?” Joel asked. “We don’t think she has anything to do with them, do we?”
There were a few seconds of silence before Ryan broke it. “Her reason for coming was to help us with Priya. If Jay wasreallydesperate to get here, she could have done that to create an excuse to come and stay a while.”
