Page 62 of Jersey

Am I stubborn enough to risk my safety to save a little embarrassment?

I realize I'm not as I make my way to my closet and grab a small overnight bag, stuffing it full of several days worth of clothes, including pajamas, before going back into the bathroom and prepping my personal hygiene bag.

I feel a little more sure about my choices when I step out of the room and find Lark watching out the back door as if he expects to see the creep who was near my house step out of the shadows at any moment.

Ican't imagine a time when I'll ever be comfortable being here alone, and it makes me consider all the steps it will take to move to a new house. Thanks to the generous payments for my therapy sessions with Eli, I'm not hurting for money, but it would truly suck to have to pack all my things and relocate. It's not something I look forward to, but I know it's something that's going to have to happen.

I'd have to stop going to the club, so I don't risk the same guy finding my new location. A sneer forms on my face when I picture Dr. Moore arguing that I'm simply trying to find ways to avoid therapy.

"Ready?" Lark asks when he turns around and notices the straps of my two bags in my grip.

"I need to pack some food for Kiva. I know it's a hassle, but she won't sleep without that dog bed in my room. Is it okay if we bring it?"

"I'll grab it while you grab food," he says without hesitation or a hint of an argument on his lips. "Let me know if you need to bring anything else."

I feel less safe when he leaves the room, knowing the creep outside could easily bust through the back door while Lark isn't in the room with me. He could hurt me or take me before Lark could get back inside. It makes my hands and feet move faster as I grab a gallon Ziplock bag out of the drawer, uncaring of the mess I'm making when I get food on the floor at my feet while scooping the kibble into the bag.

"Hey," Lark says, frowning when I jolt, making an even bigger mess with the dog food. "I know it won't help much, but you're safe. I won't let anything happen to you."

His words ease something inside me, but it doesn't bring the same relief as when Roman said it the other night.

I keep my eyes off the counter where I felt so much pleasure the other night as I seal the bag and give the other man a quick smile.

"Thank you. I'm ready."

He follows me out of the kitchen, waiting by the front door as I manage to wake Kiva from her nap. She's excited the second her eyes open, and she sees the leash in my grip. She still takes a moment to stretch, yawn, and shake her head violently before she's willing to follow me out of the house.

If she's confused, she doesn't show it when I stop outside of the dark SUV parked in my driveway.

"I'm going to need my car," I mutter, looking back at the thing instead of situating Kiva in the SUV.

"We'll make sure to get your car to the cabin," he assures me. "But I think it's best if you ride with me right now."

Since I know I'm not going to turn around and stay in my house, I don't bother to argue with the man. I don't exactly like the idea of being stuck at the cabin, but I like the idea of staying here even less.

I situate Kiva before climbing into the front passenger seat of the SUV, frowning when Lark steps up to the open door before I can pull it closed.

I shrink back when he holds his hand out.

"I've been instructed not to touch you, and I'd never violate that trust," he says.

"Wh-what do you want?"

"You didn't lock your front door. If you give me your keys, I can do it for you."

I drop the keys in his palm, wondering all the while how long I have before he grills me about my reasons for not wanting people to touch me. But he doesn't say a word when he gets back, placing my keys in the console rather than expecting me to take them from his hands.

Surprisingly, the drive back to the cabin is spent in complete silence.

Chapter 26

Jersey

I can't remember the last time I wanted to stomp my foot and demand things of others like a mannerless child, but today has quickly become one of those days. I paced for what seemed like hours.

I know I have no more right than the next guy on the team to demand others hurry up so I can get back to Gatlinburg, but that doesn't stop the urge to do so.

I know she's safe. I got a text from Lark the second he got her back to the cabin, but I didn't think my nerves would calm until I saw her for myself.

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