Page 15 of Cornered

It was a testament to how well he knew her that he understood that jumbled paragraph. “Since you’re only ten minutes away,” she said, “I need you to come take the statement so I can go to bed. If you were at the lake house, I was going to just get Cole to do it.” Which, now that she thought about it, she maybe should have done. He’d probably show up anyway with Tate.

“I’m on the way.”

“Bring a hammer. And maybe some nails. I have plywood somewhere in my garage. I have no idea where a hammer might be. Or nails.”

“A ham—? Never mind. I’ll be there soon.”

True to his word, James was there in under fifteen minutes, took her statement, then declared he wasn’t leaving.

And she was glad.

Tate arrived a short time later, and while the men talked, she busied herself in the kitchen, then stopped to lean against the counter and tried to grab a breath. The front door opened and James stepped outside to speak with the officers who were getting ready to leave.

The shakes set in and sobs gathered in her throat. She swallowed but couldn’t seem to choke them down. Tears flowed and dripped into the sink. She pulled in a gasping breath, doing her best to stay quiet.

Warm hands landed on her shoulders, and she turned to see Tate’s compassionate gaze welcoming her to use his chest to muffle her crying. She leaned in and let him encircle her shoulders.

“It’s okay,” he whispered. “Just let it out.”

So she did for a few seconds, drawing strength and comfort from his presence.

“I prayed for you all the way over here,” he said. “That you would feel protected and unafraid. That you would stay strong and be willing to continue the fight.”

She sniffed. “I’m willing. And I’ll be strong in just a minute.”

“That works.”

“Steph?”

James’s voice ended her tears, and she stepped away from the shelter of Tate’s arms and broad shoulders. “Thank you,” she said.

“Of course.”

James stepped through the door. “Hey, Steph?”

“Yes?”

He frowned when he got a look at her face. There was no way she could cover the evidence of her crying jag.

“Don’t say anything,” she said. “I’m okay. Really.”

“Right.” His gaze slid to Tate, then back to her. “I found the plywood in your garage and got your window fixed. You’ll have to order a new pane for it, but you won’t be trying to cool the outdoors with your AC.”

“Thank you. I appreciate it.”

“You want to come stay at the apartment with me? Or have me stay here?”

She sighed and raked a hand over her head. “I mean, I’m not in danger now, right? The guy wanted the notebook and he has it. So I should be fine?”

“Should be. But you’re probably going to jump at every sound if you’re alone. If I’m here, you’ll rest better.”

He wasn’t wrong. And if she was honest, there was a fourth bird. She’d been waiting on him to offer so she could accept. The whole reason she’d wanted him to come take her statement rather than Cole or Tate.

“Okay. Thanks.” She nodded. “Yeah, stay here if you don’t mind.”

“I don’t. Your couch is more comfortable than my bed.” He saluted Tate. “Cole is waiting for you in the car.” He turned and headed to the den and settled on her couch.

Tate gave her a small smile that looked pained, and she gasped. “I’m a horrible person. I never checked to make sureyou’reokay!”

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