“They went from slashing your tires back to letters. They’re either worried about getting a little too close or suspect you’re taking precautions.”
I watch her ponder it all.
She bites her lip. “I can’t say for sure, but I have no doubt Mindy would like to burn a hole straight through me.
My shoulders relax, and my lungs expand a little as I see her mouth twitch.
I huff a laugh, needing it to release the rest of the tension throughout my body. So many things are spinning through my head like rapid fire, and I need it to stop. I need all this to stop, and this Ryder to stay with me. The Ryder that makes me feelnot so entirely alone. The one that almost feels like a partner in this mess.
More than anything, I need that target to move back to me, which is absolutely not what is supposed to be happening here.
I run a hand over my face as Ryder begins to sweep the apartment.
What the hell is happening?
I don’t know what to feel or think, and I’m pretty sure I don’t understand a single thing about anything. Mostly, the protective instincts firing in all directions for the woman I’ve hired to guard me.
Chapter 16
RYDER
I cut into the chicken to see if it’s done and then shove the last piece of cookie into my mouth. After the long-ass day I’ve had, I could eat the entire bag, but I’ve limited myself to one, hoping Cole never notices. Although I’m not sure I’ve seen him eat anything with sugar besides sports drinks, so maybe he won’t care.
I don’t know why he has cookies shoved in the back of his freezer, but those babies are like crack. Eating only one is a testament to my willpower.
I flip the chicken breast and stir my mac and cheese. While he showers, I’m making dinner. I was a little hard on him about being late.
I need to get a grip on my nerves and fast. Cole’s safety is my responsibility, and there’s no longer room for any distractions. These threats are hitting, and I have to be ready.
I saw his usual carefree tone vanish when I told him about the new note. It’s the first time I’ve seen him get uptight about these threats. Nerves are ok, but I really need him good and pissed—ready to fight and find out who this asshole is. We might finally be getting there.
I hear his door open, and he strolls down the hall, pulling a T-shirt over his head. Cole has a swimmer’s body. His long, lean muscles and abs look like he isolates each one. I have no doubt Mindy spends her nights fantasizing about them. Her bedroom is probably lined with bare-chested pictures of my roomie.
“What’s so funny?”
“Huh?”
Shit.
“What’s that?” He stops on the other side of the island, pointing at my mouth. “Why are you smiling?”
“I’m not.” I press my lips together.
“Uh, yes, you are.” His mouth turns up, and I focus on my cooking tasks.
“Just remembering Mindy’s face when you told her “we” would see her at the event. I’m back to being a little concerned she might be your stalker. Or maybe you have two.” I widen my eyes, and he looks at me from underneath his dark eyelashes, his smile retreating.
“Jones, if Mindy is my manically-lusted stalker, then I’d feel a whole lot better than I do right now, but I think you need to let that theory go.”
I lift my chin, glancing toward the ceiling. “Do I?”
I’m happy the tension from earlier seems to have dissolved. If we’re going to survive this, only one of us can be mentally uptight, and I call dibs. Especially now that his friend will be joining our little cohabitation party for a few days.
I make a note to call Track and tell him about our guest. Final test or whatever,I did notsign up for this.
“What are you making?” He gestures toward the food.
“Chicken with whatever that green leaf and nut mess is you eat. I’m having mac and cheese.”
