Page 40 of Broken Love

Finding another figurine in the bathroom—this time a ballerina—there’s a camera inside of it as well. My anger grows as I keep searching. A dolphin, a horse, and a picture frame are set in different spots of her home. Each with cameras inside.

Finding a bag under the sink, I stick all of them inside and tie it up before placing them in a drawer. I’ll leave them for Beau to investigate because if I find the asshole who’s harassing her and trying to kill her, I just might kill them instead, and the very last thing I want to do is leave Windsor’s side. I love her too fucking much to do that to her.

A knock on the door draws me from my murderous contemplation. Pulling it open, the asshole neighbor is still there, standing behind Beau. “Come in,” I growl, slamming the door shut.

“Lux said there was a camera in her room?” His eyes move between the two women.

“Five. All in different places.” Showing him the drawer, he scowls before asking me to point out where they were found. After taking pictures, he puts on a pair of gloves and begins inspecting the cameras in each one.

“What do you know of the neighbor?” he asks me, and I’m immediately on alert.

“He creeps her out,” Lux answers before me. “He was all questions when we got here. Kept asking where she’d been and why she hadn’t been around. I got the feeling he infringes on her personal space a little too often.”

“The thing is, these cameras have a very limited range.” All three of us stare at the door.

“Could it seriously be that simple?” Disbelief fuels me towards the door.

Beau stops me from opening it. “I’d like to get a warrant for the guy’s place before he knows we’re on to him.”

“Won’t he know since the cameras are disabled?”

“Probably, but I’ve already texted a judge friend of mine who has been on this case from the beginning because she abhors stalkers, and I knew she’d get me what I needed and quicker than anything else.” I fucking hate waiting, but I’m glad Beau has taken steps to ensure nothing can slip through the cracks.

The ding of his phone in the otherwise quiet space turns everyone’s focus on him as he reads the message, a bright grin spreading across his face. “I’ll need you guys to remain here.” Slipping out of the apartment, I hear him speaking with the guy across the way.

An argument heats up, and I open the door to offer a hand, but four uniformed officers are on their way up from the stairs, taking custody of the creepy neighbor as Beau enters his condo. Only minutes pass before he comes back out.

Before addressing me, Beau reads the man his rights, and two uniforms haul him off.

“What did you find?” I already hate the answer.

“He was the one who put the figurines in there. He’s also the one who sent the pictures, but I don’t think he poisoned her. With stalkers, they either love or hate their victims, and this guy seems to worship Windsor. He’s got journals full of poetry about how much he loves her. He’s planned their entire future, kids included.”

“Well, who the fuck tried to kill her?” I shout the question, hating that we don’t have an answer and that this asshole isn’t guilty of it all.

“Beau, can you give Lux a ride home?” Tanner comes out to ask, his face a mask of rage.

“Yeah, man, of course.”

Glancing back, I watch the sisters huddled up on the couch together. “Let's take our girl home.” Heading to the woman who owns every piece of me, I guide her up with a gentle hand and escort her to my waiting vehicle, Tanner not far behind.

CHAPTER 17

Tanner

Ican’t stop watching Windsor. She’s in the bath, and I’ve been sitting here in our shared bathroom since helping her climb in the warm tub filled with bubbles, just watching. No better than her stalker, but she’s been able to relax and hum as she washes her body.

“I’m okay, you know.” Her husky voice caresses me like a lover's kiss.

“I know you are.”

“But you watch me like I might dissolve into thin air.” She smiles as she blows bubbles towards me out of the palm of her hand.

“Can’t help it. You’ve stolen my last shred of sanity.” Her eyes pop open at the growl in my tone. “Holding you while you cry out of fear makes me feel like I’m failing you somehow, and if my eyes are on you, then I know nothing can happen.”

She sighs, and it’s clear she’s exasperated with how Tucker and I keep blaming ourselves for every little thing. “Would you blame me if the situations were reversed?”

“Fuck no.” No way in hell would she be blamed for anything.

---