Page 133 of Family Bonds- Kelsey & Van

“It’s not like I’m that far away,” he said.

She wouldn’t be hurt by those words. He was distracted by the night’s events.

“True,” she said.

Frankie was barking and prancing around. “What’s his problem?”

“No clue,” she said. “Maybe he has to go out again. It’s been a busy night for him and he was scared at your house I’m sure. He was locked up when someone was in there.”

She thought of that and was thankful her puppy was unharmed.

She walked to the kitchen, flipped the light on, unlocked the glass doors. Putting on her jacket, she stepped outside and let Frankie run to do his business.

She was standing on the deck waiting for his return, then turned to go back in the house.

“Motherfucker!” she yelled.

Van came running out and saw her staring at her house.

The word “WHORE” was spray-painted onto the siding.

“Fuck!” he shouted. “You and those damn online dating apps.”

“Hey,” she said, swinging toward him with her hands on her hips. “Don’t blame me for that. That was months ago that Bill came here. No sign of him since.”

“Then who else would do this?” he asked. “Has anyone else reached out to you?”

“No,” she said. “No one. I hadn’t dated that much before you. You know all those things.”

“Call your cousin back,” he said.

“We have to report this?” she asked. “Seriously?” Talk about embarrassing.

“Yes,” he said. “Now I’m starting to wonder if it’s connected to my break-in.”

“How is that possible?” she asked. “This is vengeance and cowardice. Your house was someone looking for one thing and leaving thinking no one would know they were there.”

“I don’t know,” he said. “Just call them. I’m going through your house now. Stay out here.”

“It’s cold,” she whined.

“Don’t go in,” he snarled. “Do what you did at my house. Get in the car and back into the driveway.”

He was walking off the back deck toward his truck. “Are you getting your gun again?”

She wasn’t sure why she found that sexy at a time like this.

“Yes. Do what I said, Kelsey.”

“You don’t have to snarl at me,” she said. She was going to follow directions because she was too scared not to.

“Boy,” Mac said ten minutes later. “You’re single-handedly keeping me busy tonight.”

“Yep,” she said sarcastically. “That’s my goal in life. To make sure the Amore Island PD earns their salary.”

“It’s not the time for jokes,” Van said.

“I’m not joking,” she said, turning to glare at him. “I’m pissed. And when I’m pissed I swear, but I’m trying not to look like a lunatic in front of you two.”

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