Page 13 of My Secret to Protect

‘Shut up,’ he snaps, and I freeze, considering my options for getting out of this situation. ‘You’re delusional.’ His voice lowers to an angry hiss before he smirks again. ‘I’m not doing a damn thing.’

I fight against my emotions, not wanting him to see my fear even as it races through my veins. I’m trapped. I can’t pull my head back enough to headbutt him with any force because of the wall behind me. Both of my hands are pinned against the wall beside me, and his body, pressed hard against mine, leaves me no room to use my knees.

He was fast, pinning me in a way that left me no defense, and he’s stronger than me. For the first time in my life, I feel helpless and defeated, with nowhere left to turn, but I can’t let him know, I can’t show him my weakness.

‘You’re a psychopath,’ I hiss angrily, forcing the little strength left in me into my voice. ‘You can choose to stop this today, or Iwillstop you, Nolan. I’m giving you fair warning of that.’

Nolan’s jaw ticks before his mouth turns up to one side in a menacing smile, and then he laughs. A low, slow chuckle that turns my stomach.

‘You’re making a fool of yourself, Bree. This is embarrassing, you should stop.’

I exhale as I drop my head forward, knowing he’s enjoying this.

‘Nolan, please, just leave me alone,’ I beg, my voice smaller now, and he leans in, pressing his cheek against mine. The short stubble there scratches my skin as his inescapable scent surrounds me.

‘Don’t worry.’ I swallow hard at his whispered tone, it feels like confirmation that it’s him, it’s really him. ‘I won’t ever hurt you.’

He releases me, stepping back away from me and giving me space, but I no longer have any fight in me, and I sag against the wall.

‘Go home, Bree,’ he says coldly, then heads back up the stairwell and leaves me there as I drop to the floor, weak, drained, and terrified of his next move.

Someone Is Watching Me

Bree

‘Hey,boss,’Jennasaysbrightly as she walks into my office and pulls me out of my daze. I’ve been staring at the screen in front of me for I don’t even know how long, and I defensively snap the laptop on my desk shut. She tracks the movement, and I see the curiosity in her eyes, but she doesn’t question it.

‘Jen, I’m sorry. I meant to call you.’ I shake my head to clear the fog. ‘I’m shutting up shop for a couple of days. I’m not feeling too good, and well, let’s be honest, we can stand to take a few days off.’

The thought is sobering. Maybe it’s the fact that I haven’t slept properly in so long, or maybe it’s the photograph that I can still see even after I closed my laptop, but I’m feeling lost in my career for the first time.

‘You sure?’ Jenna approaches, and I straighten, so she stops and takes a small step back. ‘Bree, are you okay?’ Her voice is softened with concern, and I nod, yes, then speak quickly before I cry.

‘Yeah, great, just need a couple of days. Go home, Jen.’

As Jenna leaves the room, I open up the laptop and stare at the photo once more. It was sent from an unknown email address, just a bunch of numbers and a private domain that something tells me I won’t be able to trace. There’s no narrative, no commentary at all, but the warning was clear.

Tread carefully, Chief…

The smiling faces of Nolan, Chief Cane, a couple of other chiefs from neighboring cities, and a couple of high-powered politicians, the kind who want departments like mine shut down and the policing handed over to the county sheriffs. Also, the kind who hates to see women succeed and would never believe their golfing buddy is capable of putting anyone through this. I know what he’s telling me: if I try to report him again, it will bite me firmly on the ass or worse. The warning is without detail, but it isn’t needed. If I don’t toe the line, there will be consequences.

Slamming my laptop closed with force, I lean back in my chair and stare at the ceiling, and then start to cry, the tears coming fast and hot as they find their path across my skin, and I lean forward, covering my face with my hands and gasping for shallow breaths. I don’t know what to do, for only the second time in my life, I have no idea what I’m supposed to do.

Sliding from my chair to the floor, I tuck myself under my desk, pulling my knees to my chest and hugging them while I cry and scream silently into my empty office. He has me exactly where he wants me: terrified with nowhere to turn for help. I’m trapped.

‘So,youjusttookoff work?’ Zoe’s concerned expression makes me feel nauseous. She knows me too well. She knows this is out of character for me.

‘Yeah,’ I shrug, ‘not like this is a crime hotspot. I thought Jenna and I could use some time off to spend with family.’

‘Mmhmm,’ Zoe’s lips press together, but as Bowie runs in wearing a tiara and sash over her princess dress, of course, with her Converse underneath, my twin drops the subject and turns her attention on our niece.

Bowie has become the best big sister. She is so sweet with Lottie. She helps Cara change diapers and loves giving her baby sister cuddles, but Doug and Cara wanted to make sure they made a fuss for her birthday so she didn’t feel she was being pushed aside in any way. Because of that, we’re all gathered at Mama’s house this afternoon to celebrate her birthday together. We’re going to have another celebration for the babies in a week or so, but today is all about Princess Bo Bo.

‘Hey, sweet girl.’ Zoe opens her arms for Bo, who climbs into my twin’s lap. Bowie is getting so big. Zoe and I are petite, but Doug is enormous, and Bowie got her daddy’s height. She’s going to tower over us before we know it. ‘What did you get for your birthday?’

‘I got more science stuff. Uncle Nick got me some scrubs so I can help feed the animals at the clinic.’ I smile at that. Nick loves having Jonah and Bowie help him out with the animals. I can’t wait to see him become a dad to his own kid—he’s going to be great. ‘And I got the doll I wanted.’

Bowie rushes from Zoe’s arms to grab the doll in question and my smile falls as I lay eyes on it. My heart races in my chest, and my skin heats as I know… I just know.

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