Page 41 of Midnight Rain

He and Austin were laughing, sitting next to each other on a couch. As much as Cormac didn’t like to admit it, Jaycee was a good-looking guy. Although they were seated, the height difference was noticeable. The guy had sandy-blond hair and scruff around his strong jaw. His eyes were blue, but Cormac noticed there was also something in them that appeared off, too.

That little bit of insanity that was hard to hide.

“I want you to send me whatever pictures you have of him,” Cormac said. “I want everyone in the house to know what he looks like so they know who to look out for.”

Austin handed Cormac his phone. “Once you send those to yourself, delete them. I never want to see his face again.”

Cormac sent them to his phone then did as his mate asked before he set their phone aside. “Milly will be cooking breakfast soon. We should shower and get ready for the day ahead of us.”

The outburst of anger Austin had just shown must have dwindled because his shoulders sagged as he headed for the bathroom.

Cormac wished he hadn’t been forced to ruin his mate’s morning. All he wanted was to see Austin’s playful side and to hear his laughter, because Cormac had grown to love that about him. He’d become addicted to it. But knowing Jaycee might be in Midnight Falls, Cormac knew Austin would only be on edge, more than he’d already been, until this was over.

* * * *

The smell of breakfast filled the house as Austin and Cormac made their way downstairs. The only thing Austin wanted was some coffee. He wasn’t really a breakfast person, but even if he had been, knowing Jaycee might be in Midnight Falls would have killed his appetite, if he’d had one.

Everyone was already in the kitchen as Milly and Paloma worked to get everything on the table. There wasn’t much conversation. Most looked like they were barely awake. As soon as Lila ran toward him, Austin picked her up and hugged her to him. Instead of licking his face like she always did, she curled into his chest, as if she felt how hard he was fighting the anxiety and fear, emotions he was trying desperately not to let overwhelm him.

After hugging her for a moment, Austin put her down and went for the pot of coffee on the counter, keeping out of Milly’s and Paloma’s way.

Cormac came to his side, placing his hand on the small of Austin’s back. The guy didn’t say anything. He just stood there quietly, as if he knew Austin needed to feel his presence.

As breakfast got underway, platters were passed around the table, and conversations started to pick up. Lila ran from one person to the next, in heaven that people were breaking off small pieces of meat and feeding her.

“We have something to discuss.” Beckett’s voice rose above everyone else’s. The chatter died. “Duncan found a tracking device on Austin’s car. We need to assume that Jaycee is already in Midnight Falls.”

“We’re going to get the police involved,” Cormac said. “But that doesn’t mean we let our guard down. Those who don’t have to leave will stay inside.”

“What do you mean don’t have to leave?” Bran asked. “Are you saying I can still go to work?”

“As long as Hayden is with you,” Cormac replied. “We don’t know what this guy is capable of, and I don’t want him to try and use any of you to get to Austin.”

This was a freaking nightmare. Austin kept telling himself not to dwell on it, not to fall into a depression. That was hard not to do when he had someone actively looking for him because, for some reason, Jaycee had it in his head that Austin was his.

The only good thing was that Austin was no longer alone in this. When he’d first fled, he’d looked over his shoulder constantly to make sure Jaycee wasn’t following him. The guy didn’t have to stay on Austin’s tail because he’d put a fucking tracking device on his car.

He still couldn’t believe Jaycee had done that. Austin had seen that kind of thing in movies, had heard about celebrities being stalked, but never in a million years had he thought it would ever happen to him.

There was nothing special about him. He wasn’t some kind of star nor did he have a lot of money. He hadn’t even dated Jaycee for the guy to act like a lunatic. They’d been friends for a few weeks before Jaycee had become possessive.

A million times Austin had racked his brain, trying to think of any instance where he might have given the wrong signal or said anything that might have been taken the wrong way. He couldn’t think of anything that would have made Jaycee think that Austin was interested in a romantic relationship.

“So we’re going to take turns patrolling the property,” Cormac said as Austin tuned back into the conversation. “We’re denying Jaycee access to his obsession, which means he might get desperate and start making mistakes.”

Austin got up and left the room. He felt as if he couldn’t breathe as his head started spinning. His heart was racing way too fast. He rushed into the living room, pressing his hand over his heart when the room tilted sideways.

“Take deep, cleansing breaths.” Cormac guided Austin to the couch and helped him sit. He rubbed Austin’s back, a deep look of concern in his dark gray eyes.

“I think I’m having a heart attack.” His heart was beating way too fast, to the point his chest hurt.

“You’re having a panic attack, sweetheart.” Cormac slid off the couch and crouched down in front of Austin, taking his hands. “Focus on my face and take deeper and deeper breaths with every inhale.”

“I can’t.” Austin shook his head. “Everything inside me is going crazy.”

“You’re overwhelmed and scared. It’s a perfectly normal response to danger.” He squeezed Austin’s hands. “Focus on my face.”

Austin looked into Cormac’s eyes. He blew out a few breaths, trying to do what the guy asked.

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