Page 26 of Mine to Keep

“Okay, Mr. York, we’re all done here.” He handed me the items. “Here’s my card. Please, call if anything further happens, and I will see about assigning patrol officers to drive by your building.”

I wasn’t getting any more than that, so I thanked him and went back to my car and drove home.

“Elevator’s working,” Nicole announced as I reached my floor.

“Oh, good to know. I didn’t even try.”

“You seem exhausted; did you eat? James is working late, so I have leftover lasagna.”

I smiled as I slipped my key in my lock. “Thanks, Nicole, but I’m fine. I appreciate it.”

She shrugged. “No problem. It’s hard when you’re all alone. Home cooked meals are few and far between.”

Nodding, I opened the door and stepped through. “I’m okay, Nicole, really. Have a nice night.”

I closed the door and slumped against it. I wanted a shower, my leftover Chinese, and to wrap myself in a blanket and watch some television.

So that was what I did.

Saturday I cleaned.I didn’t leave my apartment, and it was glorious. Inside my home I felt safe, never once worrying that someone was watching me.

Unfortunately, Sunday I needed to go food shopping for the week. I grabbed my keys and made my way to my car. I could have walked since the store was only five blocks away, but it was a gray day and I needed more than I could carry on my own.

As I reached my vehicle, I froze. On the windshield was a note under my wiper. I hoped it was some coupon for a car wash or whatnot, but my gut told me it wasn’t.

I sighed and gently pulled it out from under the wiper.Why are you showing others the gifts I’ve given you? It’s private, don’t do it again.

A chill ran up my spine, and it was as if my throat were swelling. I didn’t know what to do. Whoever was doing this knew I’d gone to the police and shown them everything. Could I call Officer Mendez, or would it anger them?

I took a picture of the note and got into the car quickly, my eyes scanning the area. It took a few minutes to catch my breath and when I was calmer, I started the engine and drove.

On my way, I called the officer and told him what happened.

“As you stated, you felt as if you were being watched, and this does prove it for sure. Can you send me the picture of the note? It’s best not to have you drive to the station.”

“Sure.” I pulled into a parking spot and texted it to him.

“Thank you. Is there somewhere you can stay or maybe have a friend stay with you for a few days while I see if I can make anything of this?”

Nick popped into my head, but no. I worked there; I wasn’t mixing it up.

“Yeah, I can figure that out.”

“Okay, if you choose to stay elsewhere, please send me the address so I can redirect the patrol.”

“Thank you, Officer.”

“Stay safe, Mr. York. I’ll get back to you as soon as I can.”

When I disconnected the call, I didn’t feel better. I should have—they were the police. Why was everything inside me telling me to drive over to the Saints’ house and ask for help? What could a bunch of baker boys even do for me anyway?

CHAPTER TWELVE

Nick

I was pouringmyself a mug of coffee when JJ came into the kitchen and stood so close to me, I couldn’t put the pot back on the hot plate.

“Uh, good morning, JJ.”

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