Page 34 of Let Me Protect You

“I knew you would.”

I pay, and she hands me the bag. Giving her a quick thank you, I head for the exit. Fresh air won’t do any harm when there’s been no sign of trouble. Right?

Leaning against the brick building, I take a deep breath. My sister knew exactly what she was doing when insisting I go out on a date. I’m not ready to date anyone, no matter how tempting Elias is.

A black car with tinted windows slows down right outside Lana’s, and my entire body locks up. Do I run or fight? With no weapon, fleeing sounds like the better option.

A door opens behind me. “What are you doing out here alone?”

The vehicle picks up speed and drives away. Were they suspicious? Maybe they were just looking for a specific store, and I’m being overly paranoid after being attacked. If I tell Elias though, he’ll never let me outside again.

I face him and force an eye roll, trying to shake off that weird encounter. It was nothing. “I just needed some fresh air.” Away from you.

He marches forward, concern etched into his face. “Whoever is after you could have already figured out where you are and could be here in town.”

“Seriously?”

Elias is suddenly in my face. How did he get so close? His breath caresses my face as he says, “If we are to go out like this, you need to stay with me. How else will I protect you?”

I motion around the now empty Main Street. “Do you see anything suspicious?”

He runs his fingers through his hair and growls. “My God, Harmony, is it so hard to listen to me? Do you think that someone who wants to hurt you will be out in the open for all to see?”

I look down at my hands. If he’s right, then whoever just drove by can’t be anyone dangerous. “I needed some space.”

Why did Sully have to assign Elias to protect me? There has to be some kind of code for our kind of situation.

“And you can have it. When we’re safely at home. You can have the whole house to yourself. I’ll stay in my room.”

Why did that also bring a pang of disappointment?

Movement to our side catches my attention, and my heart dips in anticipation. An elderly couple wobbles in our direction. As they get closer, I make out Mr. and Mrs. Milte’s features.

I take a deep, shaky breath and lift my hand to wave at the pair. “Hello.”

When Mrs. Milte’s eyes meet mine, a smile lights up her face, making her laugh lines more visible. “I heard you were back, but I told my dear Frank I wouldn’t believe it until I saw you with my own two eyes.”

I swish my hands dramatically through the air, hoping they don’t pick up on my mood. “Believe it. I’m here.”

Mr. Milte laughs a deep belly laugh. “Our son saw you go into Lana’s and he called us, so Lucy rushed me out of the house to come find you.”

Mrs. Milte releases her grip on her husband and hurries forward. Immediately, she slips on a patch of ice. One of her legs flings out from underneath her, and I surge forward. Elias moves behind me, going to her other side. Together, we catch and steady her. Glancing up, Elias’s worried eyes clash with mine.

Lana’s door opens, and Serenity rushes out with Summer on her hip. My sister comes over to help, but Elias says, “Don’t worry. We have her.”

My cheeks heat. We. As if we are already a unit.

Mrs. Milte’s gloved hand clasps onto my arm, pulling me from my confusing thoughts.

“Thank you, dears,” Mr. Milte says to both of us. “You saved Lucy from a possible injury.”

Elias keeps a steady hand on Lucy. “It’s no problem. Are you okay?”

Lucy is at least seventy-five, so that sudden movement, even though she didn’t hit the sidewalk, might’ve done some damage.

Serenity and Summer hover behind us. If someone was hurt, my sister couldn’t help but fret. That is the nurse in her. “Do you need me to take a look?”

Frank turns to his wife. “How do you feel, Lucy? Do you want Serenity to check you out?”