Page 59 of Burn With Me

Noah tilts his head to the side and looks between us. “It could be. I want to send the on-duty unit out there to dust for prints. I’ll need yours and anyone else’s prints who might be in the house to rule them out.”

“So, the whole crew? Don’t you think this is overkill?” I snap.

“It’s never overkill to make sure the community is safe. If we have someone breaking and entering not only businesses but residential homes, that’s something we need to be aware of.”

Noah finishes asking his questions and takes the rest of my statement before standing to leave. “We’ll meet you at your place in a few to check your house out. I’ll make sure you’re safe, Am. Hopefully, this is nothing, and it’ll be wrapped up by the end of the week.” Before he walks out the door, he pulls me in for a hug, and I just stand there, arms at my side.

I’m numb.

“Is there anything else you need to do?” Luke asks from behind me.

“No, I’d like to lock up and take you home so I can go home and crawl into bed. After the cops leave, that is,” I say, staring blankly at the wall.

“How about you take me home, and I grab a bag with a couple nights’ worth of stuff, and I crash at your place so you don’t have to be alone. And if you’re too tired, I can help with the animals,” he offers.

“I won’t be the best company, but if you feel the need to, you’re more than welcome,” I say, grabbing my bag.

I replace all my logs and gather the animals, then walk out of the office.

Sam is checking all the doors and windows, and he turns to me as I approach. “Everyone is in the parking lot, and I finished locking up. We’re good to go,” he says as he pulls me into another hug.

“Thanks for everything, and tell the girls I’ll call them later,” I say.

Luke and I walk out the back door where we parked and leave.

Twenty-Four

Luke

My knuckles turn white as I grip the steering wheel. I take a left onto Main Street and rub at the pain in my chest at the thought of someone targeting her. I know she thinks we’re all overreacting, and maybe we are, but something doesn’t feel right about all this.

Glancing over at Amelia, I put my hand on her leg just to keep a connection with her. She might not be ready to talk about everything happening, but I want her to know I’m here for her. At the next light, I turn toward her, and she’s staring out the window. I have no idea what’s happening, but I do know I’ll do anything to keep her safe.

I pull into the driveway of my rental and turn in my seat to look at her. “Do you want me to follow you home? I just need twenty minutes to pack a bag quickly. You can come in and wait for me.” She doesn’t answer me right away, so I give her leg a squeeze to try and get her attention. “Amelia.”

“What? Oh. Sorry, I was in my own little world. I have to meet Noah and the other officers. I don’t want to keep them waiting.”

My heart breaks for her because it’s one thing when you know why something is happening, but we’re all in the dark. “I know, but we can send Noah a text. He’ll understand.”

She turns to look at Penny, who’s sleeping peacefully in the back seat, and takes a deep breath. “The animals need to get home, so I’ll head there now, and you can follow right behind me. I promise I won’t go into the house until Noah gets there.”

Reaching out, I put my hand behind her neck and pull her toward me to kiss her forehead. “Whatever you think is best, sweetness.” I respect her choice, even if I don’t agree with it. The last thing she needs is for me to freak out and micromanage her life like her ex did. “I’ll be at your house in the next thirty minutes or less. I’ll text when I’m on my way.”

“Don’t rush, and I promise I’ll be okay if you decide you’d rather stay home tonight,” she says with a forced smile.

I open the door but turn back to her before getting out. “I’m coming over because I want to and not because I don’t think you’re capable of handling this on your own.”

“Okay, Luke,” she says as she climbs over the center console to get into the driver’s seat.

I fight the urge to pull her close and keep her at my side. Instead, I shut the door and watch her pull out of the driveway before I walk inside.

Not long after, the front door opens and Sam yells through the house. “Hey, are you here?”

“Yeah, I’m in my room,” I yell back as I throw several days’ worth of clothes in my bag.

“Are you staying with Am?” he asks, and I look over my shoulder to see him leaning on the doorway.

If you didn’t know him, you wouldn’t be able to tell how tense he is. His arms are crossed over his chest, and his non-weight-bearing leg is bouncing. He’s barely holding back his anger.

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