Page 41

My boots barely made a thud.

It was our hearts that were the loudest.

Puncturing the stilled evening air and battering at our ears.

We made it to the landing, and I glanced back over at the parking lot and surrounding area.

Quietness echoed back, the only motion a single car traveling on the two-lane road, the small parking lot void of animation.

Gulping down my nerves, I made the right and crept toward Elena’s door. A frown pulled to my brow when I saw a little box set on the welcome mat.

There was nothing about the sight of it that brought any warmth.

It might as well have been packed in a vat of ice.

A flood of trepidation crashed into me.

I stalled out and Elena peeked out around my side.

I could feel the dent form between her eyes, and her voice went light. “Wait, are we freaking out over a delivery? Tell me you aren’t going to be as overbearing as my brother, Trevan Niles.”

I couldn’t get a sound up my throat. I felt none of the relief that Elena did.

Instead, I crept forward like I was tiptoeing into a field of landmines because who fucking knew—dealing with the people we did? It could be a literal bomb.

With my stomach in fucking knots, I knelt in front of the basic square box.

The apprehension doubled when I saw it didn’t come from a traditional delivery service.

No mailing label.

Just blank and sealed.

“Lena, I want you to slowly go back downstairs until you’re standing in the middle of the parking lot.”

She huffed from behind, though she was fully peering around. “Do we really need to get all up in arms about a simple box?”

“It doesn’t have a mailing label.”

“And it could very well be from a new neighbor who wanted to welcome me to the complex.”

“Won’t take that chance. Not with you.”

“I—”

“Please, Elena.” It was the low crack of a bullet. “Just do what I ask.”

“So, what? You’re going to put yourself in the line of fire and peek into that box?”

“That’s exactly what I’m going to do. Don’t you realize that’s what I’m here for? To take care of you? Protect you?”

“You’re ridiculous.”

“I’m your guardian, is what I am.” I growled it.

She hesitated before she finally gave, and she peeled herself away. I shifted to watch as she went, gaze never leaving her other than to sweep the lot to make sure no one was around.

When she got to the middle of the lot, she turned in my direction and swung her arms overhead, giving me the sign.