Tim was still out there.
For a few hours I’d managed to forget. But as it had always been with him, he didn’t let me laugh for long.
****
When we arrived at Cal’s, Ram was standing out front—arms crossed like a sentry. “Prez.” He nodded, his expression tense. He couldn’t have been older than twenty but it was clear he took his guard duty seriously. With his large build and shaved head that made his eyes appear all the more severe, he certainly looked up to the task.
Cal placed his hand on my lower back. “Head on inside, darlin’. Gonna brief with Ram.”
I nodded and pushed the door open, eager to lay eyes on my boy. Tag was sitting at the bar while Laurie paced, wringing her hands.
“Jill!” she exclaimed when she saw me. “Is everything okay?”
“I think so.” I sighed. “I’m sorry to scare you. My ex is a bastard and these guys are probably just being overly cautious,” I assured her. “Is Mason okay?”
She nodded. “He went down a few hours ago.”
“I’m gonna go check on him,” I replied, setting my purse down and padding down the hall.
I leaned over the crib, sighing in relief as I looked down at him. His arms were splayed out above his head, cheeks flushed with sleep.
Movement by the door drew my attention and I turned as Cal ambled over to stand behind me and look down at Mason. “He sleeps so hard,” he murmured tenderly.
“Always has,” I agreed, leaning back into Cal’s body. His arms wrapped around me and I welcomed his strength. “What’s happening?”
He shrugged. “Could have been nothin’. Ram’s just being cautious, which I’m glad for. I told him to head out. Tag’s gonna stay for a while.”
I had a feeling Tag wasn’t just staying for security purposes.
I nodded. “I’m gonna go say good night to Laurie. Then… I think for tonight I need to sleep in here,” I added, my gaze toward the crib. The small futon against the wall wouldn’t be comfortable, but I needed to be near Mason tonight.
I was relieved when Cal didn’t fight me on it. Instead his eyes warmed with understanding. “All right, baby. I’ll stay up for a while.”
I nodded, finding some relief in the fact that Cal was guarding us.
“Jill,” he murmured. “All this aside, I had fun with you tonight. I’m proud as hell to have you by my side.”
“And I like being there,” I murmured.
His gaze heated, sweeping over me once before he tapped the doorway in a silent bid good night.
I wanted this life with him—more than anything. And I’d be damned if Tim could take that away.
Chapter 16
Iglanced at my watch two days later as my shift came close to ending. Despite the incident the other night likely being a false alarm, Cal had ratcheted up security. He no longer wanted me driving myself to the hospital, and as a result, Mack had dropped me off and Cal would be picking me up. We’d planned on picking Mason up together from day care and going to get burgers. I’d been looking forward to it all day.
It had been a quiet shift. I ducked into the supply room to grab a new pair of scrubs for Dr. Foster. He hadn’t asked me to, but after seeing him get projectile vomited on I assumed he’d want to change and soon.
When the door opened and shut and the light switched off, my heart rate immediately spiked.
I whirled around, my back pressed to the metal racks on the wall. “Hello?” I asked. “Is someone there?”
The chilling silence sent a wave of panic through me. I knew someone was there. I opened my mouth to scream the second before a strong arm snaked around my waist and a hand clamped over my mouth.
“Jill.” Tim’s breath on my ear had me cringing away as I screamed into his hand.
This can’t be happening. How is this happening?
