“No,” I countered firmly, “you didn’t say enough.”
Ash told me he had to go to the office today, but I assumed it was because he was getting back to work. There had been no update on Felix’s murder, according to Marg, who’d been calling Sheriff Humbly almost daily.
“What’s going on?” I asked, leaning back in my seat.
Carrie sighed and looked around the empty bookstore. “This cannot get back to Michael. Seriously, if the sheriff finds out, it could put our boys into a bad position.” When she was satisfied that Rossy had gone into hiding, she moved her chair closer to me. “Promise me you’ll keep this under wraps.”
“Of course,” I murmured, trying to ignore the way my pulse skittered underneath my skin.
“Red Snake is going after Felix’s murderer head on.”
“You mean they're taking over the case?”
Carrie chewed on the inside of her cheek, reluctantly nodding. “Something like that.”
“I don’t understand. What are they hoping to gain from overstepping law enforcement?”
“It’s to ensure your safety.”
A chill swept through the room. “My safety?”
Carrie nodded, her eyes drifting toward the street. “Grayson thinks Felix’s murder was a calculated move against you.”
“Carrie, I’m not in any danger,” I told her. It was the truth. “My past—the people from it—are gone.”
She nodded. “I know that, but you need to let Red Snake finish this. It will give everyone peace of mind.”
“Felix’s death had nothing to do with me, and I—”
Her soft hand landed on mine. “I thought I was safe,” she said. “I thought my happy ending was finally starting. Grayson and I had found each other. He’d come back here to be with me. We were ready to start our life together, but someone from my past, a person I didn’t even know existed, came for me.”
Goose bumps spread across my arms. “What? When?”
“About four years ago.” She turned her head, staring down the street toward the end of town. “Rossy had sent me down to the General Store for some more office supplies. It was supposed to be a quick run. Grayson had my phone tracker on, and I evenspent the walk down there on the phone with him.” Her eyes closed. “I was attacked in the store. I tried to fight back, and for a moment there, I thought I could actually win. But he pulled a gun, shot the owners, smashed my phone, and dragged me away.”
“Carrie,” I rasped.
“According to Hayes, Grayson was a mess. It took them a few weeks to find me. I escaped and hid out at a friend’s ranch in Colorado.” She cleared her throat and returned her attention to me. “I know you may be confused, but the guys don’t want to risk it. Once the murderer is behind bars, I’m sure we will all be able to breathe a little easier.”
“Does Margo know?”
“Yeah, Hayes brought her along.”
My phone chimed, breaking our stare.
“Excuse me,” I muttered before answering the phone. “Hello.”
“Hey, baby,” Ash greeted, the low rumble of his truck in the background. “How’d the meeting go?”
Pressing my lips together, I held up a finger to Carrie and walked over to the bookshelves. “Marg wants me to be her successor.”
He was quiet for a second. “And what do you want?”
“I don’t know.” I sighed, my shoulders sagging. “I told her I needed time.”
“Whatever you decide, I’m here.”
I let my head fall back against the shelf, my eyes on a row of vampire romances. “How did your meeting go?”
