Page 71 of Safe With Me

I nodded, knowing and hating what he meant. If we found no prints on her car, we wouldn’t know who did this, and Lila would go back to fearing the dark because this fucker might be lurking in it.

“The only one around here who has cameras is Mrs. Scarpullo, and that’s because she wants to catch Mrs. Wagner’s dog on her property. She has cameras all around that house now.” I pointed down the street.

“Well, that’s a different kind of headache,” he said with a heavy sigh. “How’s Lila holding up?”

“Shaken up and embarrassed,” I said. “She’s afraid that my father’s going to fire her and not want her near me or my sister, and that we’re all going to want her to leave town.”

Jude nodded, a deeper frown pulling at his mouth.

“Claudia told me that the cops brushed it off when she tried to file a report back in Philly. Some don’t take harassment seriously if there’s nothing physical involved, but what they don’t realize, or don’t care about, is that if someone is that angry and obsessed?—”

“I know. It means physical violence could be the next step.” I pinched the back of my neck, a mix of rage and fear rushing through me as I imagined Ted waiting somewhere in the shadows to hurt Lila then and possibly now.

“I’m ready,” Lila said, coming back over to us. “Anything?”

“We saw some prints, but they could be yours or Mike’s,” Jude said. “Do you have a record of any of the times he tried to contact you? Notes, emails, voice messages? Even if this turns out not to be him, starting a file is a good idea. I hope we never need it, but it could be helpful, just in case.”

“I downloaded all his voice messages and even his texts. I kept all his emails too, but I threw out his gifts, so I don’t have anything tangible.”

“Those are good,” Jude said. “Put them on a flash drive and give them to me. Again, I’m not sure if we could use them if it ever came down to it, but they’re good to have.”

“That’s what Mike said,” Lila said, smiling up at me as she slid her palm against mine. We should have been high on each other this morning instead of full of dread that this asshole might be back trying to terrorize Lila all over again.

“Mike is a good cop. My best advice for now is don’t panic yet. Stay vigilant. See if you can talk to Kathy and Terry about getting a doorbell camera.”

“If Kathy and Terry let me stay here,” Lila scoffed.

“Why wouldn’t they?” I said, grabbing her arm. “Trust me, no one is going to mess with them or you in this house.”

“No one messes with them, period,” Jude said, flashing Lila an unusual grin and drawing a soft chuckle out of her.

“When Jude is done, I’d like to see if I could go in early,” Lila whispered. “I need to talk to your father and see if I still have a job?—”

“Of course you do,” I said, dipping my head to meet her gaze. “Stop that.”

“Mike, as good of a man as your father is, I would understand him not wanting any potential trouble. I should have been honest from the?—”

“I already talked to him. I called him early this morning.” I held up a hand when her jaw dropped. “I know I overstepped, but I was afraid you’d just go in and quit.”

“W-what did you tell him?” she stammered, searching my gaze.

“I gave him a quick rundown about what happened with Ted in Philly and what happened to your car.”

I slid my hand over the nape of her neck and squeezed.

“You still have a job, sweetheart. All he said was that he’s sorry you felt that you had to keep this to yourself all this time, and no one is going to hurt you at work or anywhere else.”

I pressed a kiss to her forehead.

“People care about you here. I know this all really sucks—” I tipped my chin to where Jude was finishing up behind me “—but doesn’t it feel good not to hide it anymore? To know that people are aware and watching out for you?”

Lila exhaled a long gust of air, pressing her fingers into her temple as she nodded.

“It does. Jake has been a great boss. I just hated the thought of him angry at me because I lied.”

“You didn’t lie. So, as far as your workday goes, nothing changes. I’ll get your car fixed, pick you up later, and work on all the ways I can make you forget tonight.” I brought her into my arms, letting my hands slide down her back. “If you’re not too sore. Even if you are, I know a million ways to get you out of your head. How does that sound, Delilah?”

Her hazel eyes were glossy as they held mine, a quiet laugh escaping her.

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