Page 91 of Worth the Chase

“Is what getting worse?” Patrick asked as he grabbed the living room TV and set it on top of the couch.

“Here. Our home. Sugar Mountain. Is it getting more unsafe each tourist season?”

Patrick shook his head. “I don’t think so. I think this kind of thing could have happened anywhere at any time.”

A growl tore from my throat. “Yeah, but it happened tomygirl. How would you feel if it had happened to Addi?”

Patrick put a finger in the air, stopping me. “Don’t.”

“Fine. I want to run something by you anyway,” I said, focusing solely on Patrick.

“What is it?” His blue eyes narrowed.

“I want to hire security for the restaurant.”

He cracked his neck and made a face. “Uhhh, we’d have to ask Addi before we did something like that, but what are you thinking?”

“Nothing too over the top. Just one guy who is there while they’re open. He stays until the last person locks up. And he walks the staff to their cars at night.”

It was the only logical thing to do, in my opinion. There was no way that I’d stay sane if I thought that Bells might get hurt again. And I wanted her to feel safe. This felt like the only way.

“I think that’s a smart idea. At least during the tourist season. Do you think Addi will go for it?” Thomas asked as he pulled out a tray of silverware from a drawer.

“Yeah. After what happened to Bella, I think she’ll definitely be on board.”

That was all the approval I needed to get someone over there today.

FREEZE OR FAWN

BELLA

About an hour after Matthew left, the gate buzzed nonstop, and I reluctantly dragged myself out of the warmth of bed and toward the code panel in the other room. Wrapping a blanket around me, I noticed Addison’s car on the monitor. Pressing the buttons, I watched as the gate swung open, and she drove inside.

I wondered if she knew what had happened to me last night.

Why else would she be here?

Pulling the front door open before she could knock, I noticed her holding a tray with three coffees. “Three?”

“Brooklyn’s on her way. We have to wait for her,” she said as she swept inside and started pulling out the drinks. Once the tray was empty, she tossed it in the garbage.

“What’s up?” I asked.

She narrowed her eyes at me. “You tell me.” She read the side of the cups and handed me one.

“Thank you. You don’t know why you’re here?” I asked before taking a sip.

“Nope. I was told to come over, and apparently, I just do what I’m told.” She laughed before shaking her head. “I mean, seriously, I didn’t even question it. Just came right over. Well, after I got us drinks, of course.”

“Of course.” I grinned.

I hadn’t lied to Matthew when I said that I was feeling better. The shock had worn off, along with the adrenaline. And in its place was a little bit of anger, disbelief, and disappointment… in myself.

“Brooklyn’s here.” Addi looked at the small screen that showed her car pulling up the drive.

I quickly typed in the code so the gate would close behind her.

“I’m here.” Brooklyn sounded out of breath as she let herself inside. “Sorry. Clara was running a little late.”

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