Page 60 of Secret Shifters Next Door

My arrival back home was not a relief. As I put the car into park, I glanced up and saw my mailbox was hanging open with envelopes and packages. I parked and went to the box to retrieve all my items. Most of it looked like junk. Three different credit card offers, a catalogue that I had no memory of signing up for, a science magazine Jordyn had won a subscription to at school last year, a couple small boxes from Amazon.

There was one thick envelope that felt like there was something soft inside. It was a padded manila envelope. Frowning, I flipped it over and froze. The return address was from New York. I recognized the handwriting, or at least I thought I did. I scanned the area around my house and up and down the neighborhood. Was he here now? Could that even be possible?

I hustled up to the house and got inside, making sure to lock up as soon as I was inside. The whole time, I had the disturbing feeling that eyes were on me. I leaned against the door, and glanced at my watch. The girls would be home soon. There was no way I could let them see me like this. I was freaking out, there was no reason to scare them too.

There was only one thing to do. Tate needed to hear about this. I called him again.

After three rings, he answered. “Yes?”

I flinched at his voice. He sounded irritated and short. It was probably my fault. I was putting too much on him, asking too much of him. Guilt spilled over me, and I wanted to crawl into a hole.

“Uh… sorry, I’m bothering you. I’ll talk to you later.”

“Harley, wait, no.” He sighed tiredly. “I’m not frustrated withyou. I’ve got a client being a dick. They already signed the contract, but now they’re adding all kinds of crazy stuff. I’ve been dealing with it all day.”

“I don’t want to be the one piling more on your plate.”

“I sat myself at your table. I expect to be well fed, so pile that baby full. What’s wrong?”

Another part of me fell for him, then. He was so genuine when he said it. He truly did want to take on whatever I was willing to give him. It wouldn’t help my guilt, but it was nice to know that he was there.

“I think Luis mailed me a package.”

“What?” he nearly shouted.

“It’s in a package with a New York return address. I’m pretty sure it’s his handwriting too. It’s got to be from him.”

“Do not open it.”

“You don’t have to tell me that.”

“Okay, good. I want you to make sure the coast is clear, and then bring that package to me at the office.”

“But the girls will be home soon. School lets out in about forty-five minutes.”

“I’ll text Mariah and tell her to take Jordyn to the little ice cream joint instead of getting on the bus. Shawn’s watching them today. I’ll let him know there’s been a change of plan. I’ll even send her some money in a cash app or something. That way, they won’t be home alone.”

“I can text her and let her know,” I said.

“No, I’ll take care of it. I just need you to get your fine ass down here as soon as possible.”

I hung up and did exactly what he said. I made sure the coast was clear. No sign of Luis or his car. Then I got my fine ass into my car, locked the doors, and pulled out of the driveway. That feeling of being watched swept over me again, making my blood run cold. Once I was out of the driveway, I hit the gas a little harder than usual, the tires squealing as I went.

I pulled up to Tate’s office not long after. He was already standing in the lot, waiting for me. I got out of the car and was in his arms within seconds. He cupped my face and looked into myeyes, then kissed me hard. For a few seconds, I forgot about the day. He pulled away and swept me into the office. Terry stood at the door, staring daggers out through the window, scanning the surrounding area. It looked like Tate had already informed his team about what was going down. I liked knowing we weren’t alone in this.

Tate took my hand and led me to the conference room where Blayne, Miles, and Steffen were waiting for us.

“Give me a second, guys. Don’t open it until I’m back.” Tate guided me down the hall and into his office.

I gasped slightly as we entered the room. It was different. Instead of the stark spartan furnishing, there was decoration. There was a picture of me with Jordyn and Mariah on his filing cabinet. We were sitting on the couch laughing—I remembered the night well. On his desk stood a framed picture of one of my ultrasounds. The gray blob that was our baby sitting right where he could see it anytime he wanted. I looked at Tate, who was staring back at me. I knew what it meant for him to have these pictures in here. The man who’d had no one but his friends until now. My eyes welled with tears as I looked back at him.

Tate pressed his hand to my belly, and we both felt the baby kick. I was six months along, and though I’d felt him shifting in there, it was the first real kick I’d noticed. I gasped and laughed.

“Did you feel that?” I asked.

Tate’s eyes were wide and beginning to tear up, too. “Holy shit. I did.” He kissed my forehead. “I’ll be right back. Okay?”

I nodded and watched him go. Placing my hands on my belly, I felt the baby kick again. It was the best thing that had happened all day. It was a reminder that even on bad days, good things could happen. I took a seat at Tate’s desk to wait for him to get back.

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