Brigit stared at the pile of broken dishes, shattered pieces of glassware, pots, pans, and silverware.What a disastrous mess.She handed a large knife to Colton.
After confirming the basement door lock had been picked, but nothing had been stolen, they headed upstairs. The guest room was destroyed. Mattress thrown against the window, shredded bed linens, scattered down feathers. Bureau drawers had been emptied and tossed. There was so much destruction they couldn’t even enter.
“Oh, no,” she whispered from the doorway. “This is unbelievable.”
When they entered her bedroom, she gasped, then covered her mouth with her hand. Her bra and panty sets had been placed on her comforter in two neat rows.
“Did you do this?” Colton stared at her bed.
“No.” Brigit’s face warmed. Though humiliated that these men were staring at her intimate apparel, she was sickened that the intruder had gone through her things, then arranged them neatly on her bed. Grabbing the undergarments, she stuffed them into her drawer. She’d never wear them again, but she couldn’t leave them on display.
“This is one effed-up dude.” Chad stood in Brigit’s bathroom.
“What is it?” As she bolted toward the doorway, adrenaline shot through her.
There was a note scribbled on the mirror with bar soap.Sorry I missed you.
Fear surged from her gut and gripped her around the throat as her insides twisted into a series of painful knots. Though scarcely able to breathe, she grabbed a towel and tried rubbing out the message. The harder she rubbed, the faster panic pumped through her bloodstream.
Vinny Ray.
Chad gently stopped her mid-stroke. “Easy. You’re eliminating evidence.”
She tugged away her hand, flipped on the faucet and drenched the end of the cloth. Now, frantically scrubbing, she blurred the words into a soapy froth. This was no random break-in. She’d been targeted.No way. He’s in prison.
She’d confirmed that fact four months earlier through the D.A.’s office. Was it possible he’d escaped? And how had he found her after all these years? She dried the mirror and stared at her terrified reflection. Colton and Chad stood behind her, their eyes laced with concern.
Her nerves of steel had been reduced to rubble. She wasn’t safe in her home. She wasn’t safeanywhere. A chill skirted down her spine and she started shaking. Had she been at home, she’d be dead, but not before being raped and tortured.
Panicked, she had to get out of there. She pushed past both men and stood in her bedroom trying to think.Where can I go?
“Can we check your jewelry box?” Chad pointed to her bureau.
Feeling like a caged animal, Brigit nodded.
Using a tissue, Chad opened the lid.
“Anything missing?” Colton asked.
Brigit examined the contents. “I don’t have much, but it’s all there.”
“Do you have someone you can stay with until your home is back in order and a security system has been installed?” Colton asked.
Think. Think! Where can I go? Could I stay with Kat or Shaniqua? No, I can’t put them in danger.
Trembling, she rubbed her arms. “No, no one.”
“Let’s get you packed. You’re moving into the mansion.” Colton opened her closet door. “Suitcase in here?”
“What? No, you and Chad need to get going. You have plans, and a tee time, and a life.” Her shoulders sagged.
“Leave?” He shook his head. “Not without you.”
Brigit waved her hand around, like what had happened was no big deal. “I got burglarized. Happens all the time.”I could start over, in a new city.Her chest tightened. She didn’t want to run again.
“I’m not budging, Brigit. You can pack or I’ll damn well do it for you.” Colton retreated into her closet and emerged with a suitcase.
I can’t move into Mitus Mansion.But what other choice did she have? At least she’d be safe behind the massive iron gates, and able to lie low until she had answers.
