Page 14 of Pretty Lies & Ugly Truths

While deliciously fascinating, that is not what has me stopping in my tracks. It’s the fact that the door to my flat is cracked open, and I realize someone has broken in.

I let out a strangled noise, and Archer’s head jerks my way, eyes narrowed, disapproval written in the scowl on his face. Yeah…he does not look happy.

“I thought I told you to stay in the car,” he grits out through clenched teeth.

“Well…you did, but?—”

“Maggie, go back and wait in the car,” he orders.

Excuse me—who does this man think he is, bossing me around like that?

Okay…yes. He did save my life tonight. But I am a grown woman. If I want to go into my own apartment, I will, and no one can stop me.

Squaring my shoulders, I march straight up to him, looking him dead in his eyes. “No.”

He pinches the bridge of his nose, muttering a curse under his breath, and I almost feel bad for the guy.Almost.

I’m not sure where this rebellious streak is coming from. I’m not normally like this, but it’s too late to turn back now.

“Maggie. Please—go back to the car,” he tries again, softer this time.

The people pleaser in me demands to give in, but there is something about knowing this man saw me at my lowest point that makes me want to prove I am not some weak, scared little girl to be pushed around.

“No. It’s clear someone broke intomyapartment. I’m not just gonna sit in the car. I deserve to know how bad it is, and what all they took.”

Grabbing me lightly by the arm, he pulls me back over towards the car. He runs his hand through his hair, seemingly agitated, before letting out a deep exhale.

“Yes. It does appear someone broke in, but did you stop to consider that that someone might still be in there?” he speaks to me slowly, explaining it like I am a child or something, and I can feel my cheeks heat. Damn him for making me feel stupid.

Okay. So I will admit, I didn’t stop to consider that. The thought that there might still be some criminal lurking inside my home terrifies me.

Yet, despite all that, I still refuse to back down. I can’t. It goes against my nature to just sit idly by when someone else could be walking into a potentially dangerous situation.

Plus, if I am being completely honest with myself, as crazy and irrational as it might be, I feel safer with him than by myself.

Looking down at the ground, I tell him, “Please…don’t make me. I—I really don’t want to be out here alone.”

It comes out so softly, I’m not entirely sure he hears me, but when I finally find the courage to look up at him, I see that something in his face has softened.

“Okay,” he relents. “You can come. But I need you to stay close behind me, and if I tell you to run, Maggie—you run. No hesitation. No questions asked. You got me?”

I nod my understanding, and he turns, positioning me firmly at his back. I reach out, fingers brushing over the soft, starchy fabric of his shirt as I latch onto the waistband of his pants. I swear I feel him shiver under my touch, but then again, that could just be the trembling of my own hands.

Slowly, we make our way down the short walkway and up the steps, coming to a stop on the front porch. From here, I can see that the doorframe has been splintered, as if someone kicked it in.

I can’t help but wonder what would have happened if I had decided to stay in tonight instead of going out with my friends. I would have been here all alone. There’s no telling what they would have done.

I shake my head to clear those thoughts, noticing Archer has turned to face me.

“Wait right here while I make sure it’s clear.” I open my mouth to protest, feeling too exposed to stand out here alone. “I promise I won’t be but a few minutes, but I need to make sure it’s safe,” he pleads, and I have no choice but to relent.

True to his word, he isn’t gone more than five minutes before he comes back out, gun safely tucked away again out of sight.

I probably should be concerned with the fact that he wears a gun, but Savannah isn’t exactly the safest city, and in the south, a lot of people do the whole concealed carry thing.

Also, I am far too distracted by the absolute wreck that was once my home.

I stand frozen in the entryway to my apartment, trying take it all in. The place has been thoroughly ransacked. My eyes roam over the small space as I assess the damage.

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