I’d support whatever she decided, as long as it meant she was protected.Physically, I wasn’t worried.It was her heart that concerned me.
“They have a steep hill to climb.”His mouth tightened, proving what I already knew.My entire family was protective of Lucy.
“An even steeper climb when they have to get past the Carter clan.”
“That’s the damn truth.”He smirked.“At least it seems like they don’t intend to make more of a racket.And from his socials, looks like her ex moved on to some bottled blonde.”
My brows rose.“I guess practically losing your balls and being frog-marched out of a crowded bar will make a man like him move fast to repair his fragile ego.”
The fact that he’d had the beauty of Lucy and hadn’t moved heaven and earth to make her happy and keep her only pointed to the depths of his stupidity.
Griffin’s expression shifted, the humor fading.“Got a call from a buddy at the LAPD.”I stilled, sensing this was what he’d wanted to talk about.“Spencer Jones was arrested on stalking charges against a pop star in the area.Asshole was released on bail.My buddy thinks he seems to be unraveling.Once he failed to break the story on you, he’s had a series of other failures.His audience has been tanking, and he seems desperate.Until he can be pinned on something concrete and put behind bars, we should keep an eye out.”
“Fuck.That asshole has been a thorn in my side for years.”
“Good news is, when people get desperate, they fuck up.He’s already started down that path.”He met my gaze.“I just don’t want it touching you or Lucy.”
“Nothing will fucking touch her.”
“I doubt it’s an issue,” he added quickly, lifting a reassuring hand, “but I’d rather be cautious.I have a picture of him circulating at the department.You have top-notch security here.Just make sure you use it.”
“We will.”
“And if it would make you feel better, Shadow and Sadie could stay here for a bit.No offense to Ranger, but he’s hardly a guard dog.”
“Only in his dreams,” I agreed dryly.“If you’re okay with it, that’d be good.Lucy would love it.”
“Maybe think about getting your own guard dogs, so you don’t have to borrow mine.”He raised a prompting brow.
“Noted.”I chuckled.“I’ll talk to Lucy about it tonight and make sure Goodie and Daphe are aware.We should spread the word locally.No better lookout than nosy locals.”
“True.I’ve got to hit the road.I’ll bring the dogs by after my shift.”
“Thanks, Griff.”
“You got it.”As he headed for the door, Jem appeared from down the hall and scampered after him.
“You’ve got a fan,” I observed as he picked her up and handed her over to me.
“Not much of a cat person,” he grumbled.
“I didn’t think I was either.”I cradled Jem against my chest, her loud purr vibrating through me.“They have a way of winning you over.”
He shot me a skeptical look before lifting his chin in parting and striding for his truck.
While I agreed it was a low likelihood that Jones would show up in Green River, I was still on edge with Griffin’s update.After calling Lucy to confirm she was with Daphne and heading home afterward, I hit the gym, needing to work out some pent-up aggression until I could set eyes on my girl.
“It needs a bit more salt.”Lucy muttered to herself as she moved around the kitchen, trying to recreate one of the recipes we’d made in New York.
I sat on a barstool, beer in hand, thoroughly entertained as always when she experimented in the kitchen.“I’m sure it’ll be great.”
She shot me a look.“You always say that.”
I shrugged.“It’s always true.How’d it go with Daphe?”
“Okay.She seemed better rested.Beyond that, she keeps insisting she’s okay.We had fun.I swear Jo grew in just the few days since I last saw her.”She paused, wincing as Jem scaled her pant leg.“You are feral, little one.”She laughed softly as she gently extracted the cat’s claws and redirected her to one of the many toys lying around.
“You think Sadie and Shadow will do okay with them?”She glanced over her shoulder.She’d taken the news about Jones in stride, seeming more concerned about the animals.
