Page 25 of Recklessly Yours

“I’ll go get my stuff.” Sighing, I turned and headed to my room.

After grabbing what I needed for a week at Dylan’s, I came back out to find Aiden standing in my living room.

“Still no hits on the car?” Dylan asked.

Aiden shook his head. “No, but I have officers searching the woods in case he’s on foot.”

Dylan crossed his arms in front of his chest. “He’s taking a lot of risks.”

“Yeah, especially if he knew you were in here. That’s some ballsy shit.”

“That’s what worries me.”

Dread settled in the pit of my stomach. Suddenly, I worried that the stalker would not be deterred by Dylan. Would I even be safe at his place?

Aiden glanced over Dylan’s shoulder and nodded in my direction. “Hey, Hattie.”

Dylan spun, his gaze softening as he spotted me. “You have everything you need?”

“I think so.”

He closed the space between us and took the large duffel from me. Then he turned back to Aiden. “Keep me posted.”

“Will do.”

I followed Dylan out to his car. The police officers canvasing the area made my heart beat faster. But I didn’t want to look ridiculous about it, so I fisted my shaking hands and tried to be calm. Once I was in the front seat and we were headed away from my apartment building, my heart finally slowed down. Knowing Dylan was right next to me, I began to relax. Even if the stalker tried to get close to me again, I had to believe he would protect me.

My phone vibrated, and when I pulled it out and checked the screen, I groaned. Dammit. I’d definitely have to cancel with the girls tonight. The whole thing made me angry. First, we couldn’t go to the bar, and now I couldn’t even have them at my place.

“What is it?” Dylan raised a brow but kept his focus on the road.

As I tapped out a reply, I said, “It’s the girls. Need to tell them I can’t meet up tonight.”

“Don’t.” He put his hand on my phone, pausing my movements. “Invite them to my place. There’s plenty of room for you to chill.”

I gaped at him. Why on earth would he want me to do that? Heck, why was he doing any of this? Loyalty to my brother, I understood, but only to a degree.

“Do you know what you’re agreeing to?” I chuckled. “Savannah is a bit much.”

“A bit?” His lips tipped a fraction.

Fair enough. But again, why would he want my over-the-top, loud-ass sister hanging around his house? Just invading hisspace for the next several days was bad enough. I considered him, studying his strong jawline, his sharp nose, trying to figure him out.

“It’s fine. I can handle her.” He shrugged. “It’ll take your mind off all this bullshit.”

My heart stuttered at the sincerity in his words, at the thoughtfulness of the offer. It had been a very long time since anyone had truly paid attention to what I wanted or needed. Of course I wasn’t always the best at vocalizing it either.

Swallowing thickly, I ducked my head and typed out a new message.

All the single ladies

Me: I have good news and bad news.

Savannah: Bad news first so we can chase it with the good.

Me: Bad news is my apartment is a crime scene now, so hanging out there is out of the question.

Me: But the good news is that Dylan offered his place instead.

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