Page 25 of Grid Search

“What’s up?” he answers, and I can hear the baby crying in the background.

“Get Mom to your house and come to Lynae’s. Something isn’t right.”

“Don’t go in,” he warns, but he should know me better than that. If someone is in there, I’ll kill them to protect my girl.

I pull my flashlight from the door pocket before stepping down from the truck. The wind blows through the trees, and I can smell something in the air. I hear the passenger door open.

“Stay there, Lyn,” I order her and move to the porch.

The door is cracked open. I push it with my foot, and it stops part way. I change tactics and move to the side porch, just in case someone is behind the front door. I pull my gun from my waistband and hold it at my side. Trying to avoid the boards that would give away my position, I move silently toward the French doors. I can barely see into the room, not even the microwave or stove displays light up the kitchen. I reach through the brokenglass and unlock the doors before opening them and stepping inside. My boots crunch on glass as I hold my gun at the ready. I flick on my flashlight and see complete disarray. Everything is destroyed. When my light bounces off of pictures in frames positioned all over the house, my blood runs cold. I back out of the room and head for my truck.

“What’s wrong?” Lyn asks, and I hate to ask, but I have to know.

“Are you sure Sayler is dead?”

“Why?” Her breathing increases.

“You’ll see.”

We wait for my brother. When he arrives, he and I check the perimeter and find that the main power to the house has been shut off. We turn it back on and move inside, while Lyn remains secured in the truck. Once the house is cleared, Logan calls his forensics person, and I head back outside to get Lyn. She’s crying, and I hold her as she sees the destruction through the window.

“Why do you think it’s Sayler?” she asks.

I don’t answer her question. When we step over the threshold, she sees the answer. All around the room are framed pictures from their wedding. Every surface is covered. From the pictures, I can see how young my girl was, and I also notice the fear in her eyes. I see the pure evil in his smile. I pull her close to my body as we walk through the rooms. Her clothes are strewn everywhere and cut to pieces. The baby’s room, which she had started decorating, is completely demolished. Nothing was left intact, not even the appliances.

“You’re moving in with me, Lyn.” I don’t ask, I tell her.

“Okay.” She doesn’t fight me on it, and I know it’s because she’s scared.

After we answer a few questions, I take her home. I’m glad she has a few outfits at my house so she can go to worktomorrow. I tried to talk her into staying home, but she won’t. I help her into bed, and we fall asleep in each other’s arms.

When she wakes up screaming in her sleep, I comfort her to calm her down.

Chapter Eleven

LYNAE

I’ve been living with Ryker for two weeks now. I love it here. I can set the alarm when he’s not here, and I feel safe. I also know where all the guns are hidden. He promised he’d put them away when the baby comes, but for now, I know it’s for safety.

Tonight, we have dinner plans at the restaurant with his mom and brother. I’m trying to get ready, but my hands won’t stop shaking. I can’t kick the feeling that I’m being watched. It’s been like this all day. Ryker isn’t home yet. I look across the lake to Logan’s house, almost tempted to call him and see if he and Reese want to come hang out until it’s time to go. But I don’t want Ryker to worry about me more than he already does. Every time we make love since the break-in, he’s so caring and gentle with me. I just want us to return to a semblance of normal. Maybe that’s why I feel off.

The alarm beeps as someone enters the code, and I watch as Ryker steps through the mudroom door. I’m on him before he can get his boots off. I need him so badly. My body needs some kind of release. I kiss him and try to climb up his body. He lifts me up and carries me to our room, where he lays me on the bed. He opens my robe.

“Fuck, Ly, you’re beautiful.” He rubs his hands across our child and then slides it down my body to my pussy, where he slips two fingers inside me. I arch and moan as he takes me higher. When he pulls his fingers away, I whimper and open my eyes. “Watch me, baby,” he orders.

I love it when he gets all demanding and alpha. His cock kisses my entrance before he slides it in. He starts off with slow pumps, but I reach around and grab his butt cheek.

“Ryker, fuck me like you used to. I need it, now.” My voice cracks, and he pumps in harder, holding my knees to keep me from sliding across the bed.

Because of how big I’ve gotten, we’ve had to alter how we make love. This is one of my favorite ways. He likes reverse cowgirl. Both of us like doggy style. But I really love this position. I can watch him go over, and he can slam into me hard. He does that now, and I cry out. He pauses to make sure I’m not hurt before he continues.

When I slide my fingers down my body and start playing with my clit, he groans, and his thrusts become erratic, but he’s pumping harder and harder into me. I can feel myself going over, and I scream as I come hard. I then feel the warmth of him coming inside me. He holds himself deep and then leans over me, careful not to crush my stomach.

“Marry me, Lynae. I want to do this every day for the rest of my life with you.”

“No.” I smile at him. “I’m not going to let you marry me just because I’m pregnant.”

“I already told you, it’s not about that.”

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