“Just thinking about the huge debt I owe all of you for making sure I’m safe.”
“I hope you’re not trying to figure out a way to repay everyone. As Reid said in our meeting, none of us need to be paid, so you shouldn’t even be thinking about that.”
“Easier said than done. I’m sure if you were in my position, you would be thinking the same thing.”
“You could be right. But just know we’re here for you no matter what.”
“I’m very blessed by that. God smiled on me the day you came to my rescue in the parking lot.”
“Not exactly what you thought that day, was it?” He grinned.
“No. No, it wasn’t.” She laughed. “I hope you can forgive me for being so difficult at first.”
“Nothing to forgive. I’d have been the same way. I wouldn’t have wanted to accept the fact that someone was shooting at me and I needed protection.”
She shook her head. “Even now, I find it hard to believe. Maybe it’s because we haven’t been able to narrow this down to one suspect.”
“We should be able to do that if Sierra lifted fingerprints from the drone and found a match.”
“But if she did, why isn’t she letting us know? She said they would be done today, but the typical work day is over.”
“I know she frequently works late and could still be processing things.” He held up his phone. “She said she would let me know the minute she has anything.”
His phone sounded a text.
He looked down at the screen. “It’s Reid. He wants me to come over to his place to meet with him and Russ.”
“Then you should go.”
He gnawed on his cheek. “I don’t want to leave you, and I certainly can’t take you with me.”
“Don’t worry about me.” She rested a hand on his arm. “With all of the suspects under surveillance now, they can’t be coming for me, and I’m good with Colin in here and Hayden outside the door. Besides, you’ll just be a few houses away.”
“Are you sure?” He searched her eyes.
“Positive.” She pushed him towards the door.
He looked back at her. “Just know I’m a phone call away, and I can be back here in a few minutes.”
She nodded and smiled, but even though she was agreeing to him going, she really didn’t feel comfortable with it. She didn’t think anything bad was going to happen, but she’d come to depend on him. Rely on him. Want him in her life.
And not just as a protector, but as a full-time partner. Maybe while he was gone, she could stop stressing over who was trying to kill her and figure out how she could start a relationship without ruining her bond with her best friend.
