Page 55 of Rescuing Ryder

He knelt before her. “It’s only a room with four corners. Don’t let him steal your joy in living in your dream home. It’smyworst nightmare, and I relive it every day when I pull into your driveway. I think to myself how long they must’ve searched for the ugliest shade of pink. Then, they trimmed it in neon yellow and deep purple to bring attention to it. I haven’t paid attention to it, but I bet it glows in the dark.”

She lightly punched his arm. “You’re talking about my pride and joy. I’m considering leaving it. The realtor said it’s the original colors. She said she asked the painters in the area if they knew who painted it. Nobody recalled anyone ever doing it.”

He grunted, “I believe it. No one wants to take credit for this.”

“Hey!”

Ryder chuckled. “I’ll stay by your side. They want to ask you a few questions.”

She allowed him to help her up. He squeezed her hand gently as he led her to the living room. Her heart pounded and she clutched his hand tightly. If she hurt him, he gave no indication as they entered the room. She scanned the area she avoided since returning home. Her mouth popped open and she stared at the room in which her nightmares formed on a daily basis.

CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

The room she encountered appeared nothing like the one she experienced in her dreams. The walls held a fresh coat of light tan paint. The broken coffee table was removed. In its place, a square wooden table with designs carved on top sat on a new multicolored rug. A new cream-colored couch with overstuffed cushions now graced the area with pillows of different teal shades, matching the carpet’s colors. Two new recliners with the same teal hues sat on either side of the fireplace.

“Where did my stuff go?” she asked, amazed.

“We damaged the couch. The women decided to replace it for you. Then your chairs didn’t match. It became a snowball effect,” Leo explained.

“We hope you like it. If not, we can return it,” Chase offered.

She shook her head as Ryder led her to a chair. “No. I love it. It feels cozy. I wanted to purchase a new set once I settled.”

Taco sat in the matching chair across from her while the rest of the team sat on the couch or stood behind it. Ryder stayed behind her.

Leo cleared his throat. “We didn’t want you to endure a drive up to the facility. We have some questions concerning the night Kilner attacked you. I know you gave your statement to the localauthorities and the Seattle police visited you in the hospital. We want to clarify a few things.”

“I’m not sure what I can tell you that I haven’t already informed them. I’ll do my best,” she answered.

“We want to talk about before the night Mr. Kilner attacked you. Can you tell me why you thought he visited your house before the night in question?” Saint asked.

She took a deep breath, “As you know, I like to run the path at the hospital. I wore a jacket a few mornings before the attack because the weather cooled. Up to then, I didn’t need one. The night before, I placed it beside my purse and keys in the entryway on the half wall. While I jogged, I felt something in my pocket. I unzipped it to find a note. I stopped to read it. The Seattle police now have it. He said he watched me sleep and I should do it forever,” she admitted to the men. A shiver went through her, and she felt Ryder’s hand on her shoulder.

“Did you notice anything else disturbed before the note ended up in your pocket?” Matthew asked.

She thought for a few moments. “I came home to find my filing cabinet drawer slightly open. I thought it odd, but I rushed in the morning to grab a few things and thought I must’ve accidentally forgotten to shut it all the way.”

“Matthew pulled the tapes. We know you spent nights in your office. Something besides the letter spooked you,” Leo gently encouraged her, waiting for an explanation.

Claire nodded. Glancing guiltily over to Chase, she swallowed and explained, “I received a package with a dead squirrel inside with a note at the hospital. The night of the housewarming party, I thought one of you picked up the mail when I ugh…hurt Kassie. Inside the stack, I found a pretty card with flowers on the edge of the envelope. I thought it might be another housewarming card and opened it. It contained another warning he planned to come for me.”

The men’s expressions changed. Chase’s jaw ticked as he stared at her. Leo rubbed his hand along his scruff. Saint let out a low whistle as he glanced toward the ceiling. Taco and Shadow’s mouths firmed into straight lines.

Chase leaned forward. “I hope you know now you’re part of our family. No matter how silly it seems, if you ever feel in danger or uncomfortable or receive a suspicious package, you must contact one of us immediately,” he implored her in a barely controlled voice.

“I understand. The Seattle police assured me he remained in the mental facility,” she explained to Chase. “I didn’t involve you and I didn’t think?—”

“He threatened our children and spouses,” Leo growled out. “You put yourself and your family in harm’s way.”

Tears pooled in her eyes and her gaze shifted to the floor. Ryder growled and knelt in front of her. He turned to stare down Leo.

“Claire didn’t know he intended to harm anyone until the night of the attack. You can’t blame her for the police lying to her,” Ryder gritted out.

Saint shook his head as he twirled the toothpick in his mouth. “We aren’t saying this to hurt her. We want her to understand that anytime there’s a threat to one, it affects all of us. No matter how small, we want her to come to us. You won’t always be staying here.”

“You don’t have to act like she committed a crime. She’s the victim here, or did you forget?” Ryder seethed.

Chase moved from the couch to kneel beside her protector. He took her hand. “We’ve gone through a lot together with my wife. I can never repay you for all you’ve done. We want you to understand the severity of your thinking it didn’t affect us. You might’ve died if Ryder hadn’t shown up. We’re angry for you, not mad at you.”

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