Page 92 of Safe With Me

A minute ago, I’d thought it was luck that I’d found someone to love this much. As my gaze landed on the folded-up letter, the angry marks visible through the paper, it seemed like the worst kind of curse.

I took a shower while Mike called the station to tell them he’d be late because he was bringing me in to file a report. The hot water rushed over me as I leaned against the tiles, trying to somehow calm down enough to talk to Jude and whoever else had to know about this awful situation.

The prints on my car hadn’t come back yet, but “WHORE” was scrawled on the paper the same angry way it had been etched into my car door. I’d hoped for a random act of vandalism, but I had been the target all along.

After I dried off and dressed, I found Kathy and Terry on my couch. I gulped, expecting them to ask me to leave, when Terry ran over to me and pulled me into a hug.

“Mike just told us,” she whispered, pushing back to meet my gaze. “I had a feeling something happened to you in Philly. You poor thing.”

“I hope you don’t mind, but since he came on to their property twice, I had to let them know.”

Mike met my gaze with a grimace.

I shook my head. “I was going to tell them about the car today.” I held on to Terry’s arm as my gaze drifted to Kathy’s concerned frown. “If you want me to leave, I’ll understand.”

“What?” Terry screeched in my ear. “Don’t be ridiculous. Let that piece of shit come near our house again. He won’t know what hit him.”

“That’s right,” Kathy said. “You aren’t going anywhere.”

“Thank you,” I said, letting go of a long, relieved exhale. “I feel horrible for bringing you any trouble.”

“You didn’t. So cut that out.”

Terry’s glare pulled a surprising chuckle out of me.

“I’m going to bite the bullet and buy those doorbell cameras Mike always said we should get,” Terry said. “One for us and one for you.”

“I’m very glad to hear that,” Mike said, shooting me a tiny smile. “I’m going to run home to change for work. Would you ladies mind staying with her until I get back?”

I wanted to fight him and say I’d be fine, but I was too shaken up to be alone.

But Mike had a job, and so did I. He couldn’t babysit me, and I couldn’t hole up in my apartment, hoping Ted would either move on or get caught.

“I’ll be right back, sweetheart.” He kissed my cheek and gave my landladies a wide grin. “You’re in good hands.”

“You two are adorable,” Kathy gushed after Mike left.

“Have you eaten anything?” Terry asked, her brow furrowed as she examined my face.

“No, and I don’t want to try because I think it will come right back up.”

“You need something in your stomach to talk to the police.” Terry rummaged through my cabinets.

She pulled down a loaf of bread from the top of my refrigerator and popped a slice into the toaster. I gave Terry a weak nod and took a seat at my table, my empty stomach rolling as I let out a slow breath.

There was a sick sort of relief when the anticipation was gone—and your worst nightmare finally came true.

20

MIKE

Lilaand I sat across from Keith’s desk as he and Jude looked over the letter. Lila had stopped shaking on the drive over, but she was quiet and withdrawn as she kept her gaze on the floor.

I knew she was shocked, scared, and embarrassed, and although I worked hard not to show it, so was I.

I’d known better than to antagonize this asshole, yet I’d done it anyway. I hadn’t seen anyone around us at the beach, and I racked my brain, trying to think of where Ted could’ve been watching us from.

And how long had he been doing it? I’d promised her over and over that I’d protect her, and now I felt like I’d already let her down.

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