Page 37 of Love Me Fierce

“Dr. Boone doesn’t harass me. He just gives me looks sometimes.I’m not even sure it’s real. He’s sort of controlling when it comes to patient care, but so are a lot of doctors.”

“Okay, let’s set Dr. Boone aside.” He arches an eyebrow. “For now. Is there anyone else in your life I should know about? A friend, maybe someone who asked you to hold onto something for them?”

“No.” It comes out shaky. “I’m not stupid.” Or inexperienced.

“I know,” he replies, his tone softening. “Bear with me, okay?”

I risk a glance at him, then wish I hadn’t. He’s wearing that same fierce expression, the one that makes me want to trust him.

Can I?

“Okay.”

“Why did you move to Finn River?” he asks.

“Why is that relevant?”

He takes a step closer to me, his eyes dark and sincere. “Because something’s not adding up here. You don’t have an ex-boyfriend or a crazy coworker stalking you or acting threatening. You don’t walk around town flashing expensive jewelry or wads of cash. Why would a thief squeeze out all your shampoo and toothpaste? Dump out jars? Slice open your mattress and couch? I’m pretty sure he even flipped through Mateo’s picture books.”

A sharp chill pricks down my back. I sink to the bed and cover my face with my hands.

Everett settles in next to me. Not close, but enough that his warmth and his fresh pepper scent fill the space between us. It shouldn’t be reassuring, or calming, but I’m having a very hard time fighting it.

Because heiscalming and reassuring. And patient. And kind.

Like how he insisted I come here. Did he know that being surrounded by his welcoming family in this quiet, serene location would bridge the final gap that’s keeping me from trusting him?

“So, if it isn’t someone in Finn River, maybe it has to do with something you left behind. Or someone.”

I picture Mateo sliding his hand into Everett’s, like it was themost natural thing in the world. What would it be like to let myself trust Everett in the same way?

“There’s nobody in my life like that,” I say.

He rocks to his feet and rubs his hand through his hair. “Vivian, if I’m going to help you, I need to know who might pose a threat.”

Anger flares inside my chest.So much for kindness. Here comes bad cop. “I don’t need your help.”

“Bullshit,” he says, his hands on his hips. “Someone targeted you today. Who?”

“I don’t know!” I fire back.

“Did you recognize that reckless driver a few weeks back? The one who almost hit you and Mateo?”

“You think these two events are connected?” I shake my head. He’s being ridiculous.

He gives me an impatient one-shoulder shrug. “You were awfully quick to leave Glory Holes that day.”

Because it was my own fault And yours!“I don’t know who was driving. I’ve never seen the guy before.”

“How about the car?”

“No.”

“Who do you know in Bonneville County?”

“Where the hell is Bonneville County?”

He huffs a tight breath through his nose, his dark eyes like lasers. “Is this about Mateo? Are you in some kind of custody battle?”

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