Page 81 of Never Fall Again

“Is it movie night?”

“Yeah. Why?” Now she recognized the voice. Chad.

“Can Eliza join you?”

“Of course. What’s wrong? You sound angry.”

“Someone trashed Landry’s studio. That’s all we know. Gray’s on his way. We need a safe place for Eliza.”

“Of course. Abby and I will come get her. Is it safe to assume Landry’s okay with this plan?”

She appreciated that Chad had asked, but right now, she had no ability to think of any plans. She was drifting. And she would follow Cal’s lead. “It’s fine. She may be a bit emotional.”

“We’re experts on big emotions over here.” Chad’s unruffled response made her heart settle a tiny fraction.

“Thank you.”

“No problem.”

“Chad.” Cal leaned slightly toward the phone. “Locked and loaded.”

“Already on it. I’ll call Connor on my way. Bring him up to speed.”

“Thank you.”

The phone disconnected and Cal wrapped both arms around her in a tight hold.

“What’s locked and loaded?” Landry didn’t move, but Cal’s face was close enough to hers that she was sure he could hear her.

“He’ll be carrying in the truck. And he has a rifle. When he gets home, he’ll set the security system, he’ll make sure he has weapons at the doors, and he’ll keep his personal weapon with him. He’ll tell Connor. Connor will do the same at his house. If anyone tries to get on the property, they’ll be in for a rude welcome. I trust them to keep her safe.”

Fear clawed at Landry’s chest. “I hadn’t thought about that. Maybe she should stay here.”

Cal dropped his head onto her hair. “Landry, I hate to have to say this so bluntly, but The Haven isn’t safe for you. Not anymore. Someone got into your studio. It’s only a hundred yards fromyour house. My brothers are Marines. My nephews have all been through multiple gun safety courses. All know how to shoot. One of Connor’s boys is on the marksmanship team at school. He never misses. So for tonight, I think it’s the safest place for Eliza while we deal with this.”

The shock was wearing off, and fury was taking its place. Why? Why now? Who was behind this?

Cal gave her a gentle squeeze. “Besides the words, what else did you see?”

She told him. He listened. And as he listened, his hold on her tightened until she whispered, “Cal?”

“Huh?”

“I’m having trouble breathing.”

“Sorry!” He released her. Completely. Took a step back and everything. That was not what she’d been going for at all. She’d just needed a little bit of room for her lungs to expand. But now that there was some distance between them, she didn’t know how to shorten it.

She didn’t need to shorten the distance! She needed to put up a ten-foot-high wall.

Who was she even kidding? She’d just climb it.

She dropped her head into her hands. “I can’t believe this.”

And just like that, he was back. His arms were gentle as he guided her to the sofa. He sat first, then pulled her down beside him. He kept one arm around her shoulders, and it just made sense for her to rest her cheek against him. “What are we doing, Cal?”

He took her left hand in his and laced their fingers together. “I have no idea.”

Landry stared at their hands for a moment. “I’m scared.”

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