Page 14 of Stolen

“Alright Ms. Freeman. We questioned Mr. Lore and searched his home. He invited us to ask him anything and to search any part of his home to clear his name. That’s the only action we can take for the night.”

“So—so what are you saying?” Blossom asked.

“That you should go and get some rest. We’re going to continue investigating.”

“But—but he knows where I live! What if he decides to break into my home or come and take me again?” Blossom squeaked.

“I’m going to advise you to stay at a different location for the night. We understand your fear of being home under these circumstances,” he said.

“And where would you advise me to go? I already told you that I have no friends or family in town!” Blossom shrieked.

“The only option at the moment is a hotel, Blossom.” Blossom felt her eyes rolling. Even though the options were slim and not really the best, she just had to take what she could get.

“And paying for the hotel. Not sure if you noticed but all I have on my person is this tight ass red dress,” she mumbled.

“The department will take care of the costs, Ms. Freeman. You’ll have the safety of the hotel for the night and into tomorrow. Then we can move forward with the investigation. We’ll send a protective detail along with you just to ensure that nothing happens. Two officers working the night shift will accompany you. They’ll take you to your home to retrieve clothing first and then to the hotel. Does that sound like a deal?” He questioned. Blossom didn’t have any other choice.

“It’s a deal,” she nodded.

“Good. Let’s get you prepared to go.”

Blossom was quiet as she prepared to leave with the other detectives. She crossed her arms, keeping the sweater the chief gave her tightly closed. Outside, she watched as Deputy SynTanner spoke with a few of the detectives. A sigh left her mouth when she realized she was about to be separated from Deputy SynTanner. She didn’t want to leave him.

“Ready to go?” SynTanner called out to her. Blossom snapped from her daze. She blinked multiple times and looked at him.

“Yea—yeah I’m ready,” she whispered. Even though she was saying she was ready, SynTanner saw the slight apprehension in her body language and the dullness of her eyes. He closed the distance between them.

“Hey, what’s the matter?” he asked softly.

“It’s just—am I going to be in the hotel alone?” she asked.

“There’s going to be a protective detail. And trust me, the hotel we’re going to has top of the line security. We’ll let the front desk know about Chance Lore so that he doesn’t smooth talk his way to you. That is if he even shows up. Honestly, if Chance is going to try to capture you again tonight, he won’t do it if he can’t find you at your home,” SynTanner explained.

“How are you so sure?”

“I can already gather that Chance Lore doesn’t do anything without a plan, and he’s a perfectionist. That plus he doesn’t act on whims. The only place he’d know you’d go is home. If he can’t find you at those places, he’s not going to search for you because then it would be a wild goose chase and that’s not his style. If he found you anywhere else besides the place he knows, he’d be at a disadvantage because he’s unfamiliar with the territory. With the cops questioning him tonight, it would be foolish of him to attempt to kidnap you again. He’d know that we’d be watching you like a hawk just to try and catch him in the act.”

“You really are good at reading people. That’s exactly how Chance is. A perfectionist and forever with a plan,” she whispered.

“Right. So, don’t be afraid of anyone trying to come after you tonight, Blossom.”

“Okay.” She tried to smile, but SynTanner read right through it. He’d seen her full laughter while they were in the conference room together, he could immediately tell now when her smile wasn’t genuine.

“Ah, don’t give me that fake stuff honey. Tell me what’s on your mind.” Blossom felt her heart clench tighter at the endearment. Coming from the ruggedness of his timbre gave her chills.

“I don’t want to be alone,” she whispered. “Even if Chance won’t come for me tonight or try to take me again, I’ve spent most of my nights in Chance’s mansion alone and afraid. I was fearful to sleep because I didn’t know when he would flip the switch and change from being a psychotically nice man to just a psychotic deranged one. Now that I’m out from there, I guess I’m just seeking comfort, but I don’t have anyone.” SynTanner gave her a comforting smile.

“To feel that way is natural, Blossom,” he told her.

“So, what do I do now?” she asked.

“Well, I don’t want to overstep my boundaries Blossom, so if there’s something you need from me, I’m afraid you’re just going to have to come out and ask,” SynTanner said. Blossom clenched her hands. She twiddled her fingers for a moment, her heart continuing to thump loudly. She was never the bold, brazen woman, but she also wasn’t the type to run away either.

“Deputy SynTanner…would you be able to stay with me?” Blossom couldn’t even look into his eyes as she asked the question, she felt so embarrassed, but when she finally looked at him, the smile on his face eased the butterflies in her stomach.

“You know, just for protection,” she added. The curve of his lips made Blossom want to kiss them until they were sore from too much attention.

“How could I resist when you say my name like that?” he whispered.

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