Page 21 of In Another Lifetime

“What the fuck?” Kale set the cake on the coffee table and joined me at the window. “I thought it was safe here.”

“It is. Mostly.”

“You should get away from the window.” He wasn’t looking at me as he typed into his phone.

“What are you doing?” I didn’t move from my post, watching for Dutch to emerge. He was still inside when two police cruisers and Dayton’s SUV skidded to the sidewalk in from of Dayton’s house.

I watched the uniforms, Day and a woman, who must be his new partner, hightail it to the house. The uniforms waited, guns drawn at the ready, for Dayton to unlock the door, before they stormed inside, Dayton and his partner on their heels.

My heart raced, my throat tight while I remained riveted to the action across the street. Blood rushed past my ears, nearly drowning out Kale’s response.

“Texting Biter and Prick.”

“Kale…”

“Don’t argue, sis. If you’re gonna be here, you need more security.”

I made an annoyed sound at the idea of a further invasion of my privacy. “I have a cop across the street.”

“Who just had his home broken into,” he scoffed.

I scowled at him. It wasn’t that I’d shun iron-strong protection. I mean, I was absolutely terrified of Dutch. But I didn’t want Kale and his club all up in my business, because knowing Kale and his tech man, Planny, there would be cameras, alarms and sensors in every room.

Movement in my peripheral vision drew my gaze back to the tableau across the way. Dayton fairly hauled Dutch out of his house, his new partner on his heels and the cops trailing behind her. Dutch and Dayton stopped on the sidewalk, where Dayton appeared to be yelling at the other man, his finger jabbing toward him while Dutch crossed his arm, looking annoyed and almost bored.

My fingers curled into palms. I knew what Dutch was capable of. If he hurt Dayton…

“Which one is your man?” Kale asked.

“The angry one.”

“Hmm. You know who the other guy is? Doesn’t look like a rando B&E.”

I shrugged. I couldn’t exactly tell him I knew exactly who the other guy was.

Kale’s phone rang, and he walked off, answering it with, “Biter.”

My arms around my middle, hands still fisted, I kept my attention on the arguing men. I wasn’t sure what Dayton said, but suddenly, Dutch’s gaze turned to me, his face bland but his malevolent stare pinned me.

Dayton shoved his shoulder, regaining his attention, and Dutch took a step back, hands wide, his lips seeming to bite out some reply. With another glare at me that sent ice down my spine, he spun away, the four uniforms following him. The ex-partner’s hand flew into the air, spouting off more frustration, his anger clear, even from where I stood. Dayton’s partner stood with Day on the sidewalk while they spoke together.

She patted his arm, and a growl rolled up my throat. I didn’t like her touching him, not at all. From last night’s conversation, I knew there hadn’t been anyone else for him over the past five years, but this was the first I’d seen a woman with him, and it triggered something inside me. Maybe because he wasn’t officially mine again. I didn’t know.

The pair watched Dutch peal away then spoke with the uniforms before heading my way. My eyes widened. Wait. They were coming over? Spinning from the window, I ran my hands over my clothes and hair in a useless bid to make sure I looked okay. Didn’t matter. They’d already seen me. Still…

The ring of the doorbell pierced my panic, though my heart still raced and my body had a slight tremor from my agitation. Trying to gather myself, I scurried over to answer.

“Hi,” I breathed.

“Hey,” Day returned. “Just wanted to check on you.”

“Check on me? No one broke into my house,” I replied, with a forced laugh.

“He’s someone I used to know,” Dayton hedged. “You okay?”

Apparently, I looked more freaked out than I’d thought. I nodded. “Yeah. I’m glad it wasn’t a big deal. What was he doing there?”

The woman next to Day huffed a laugh. “He claimed he was looking for some tool he lent Windsor.” She pointed with her thumb. “This guy? Build something?”

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