Page 14 of Laying it Bare Backstage

We stared at each other for a few moments before I released a deep sigh. “Fine. Something tells me I won’t win this argument anyway.” But I wasn’t really happy about caving.

“Nope, you won’t.” He stood up before settling his hands on my waist and hoisting me up to stand in front of him. “Are you ready then?”

He led me out to his car and helped me into the passenger’s seat. After sliding into the driver’s side, he drove us down the driveway and out through the gate. He grabbed my hand during the ride and entwined our fingers. At the garage, Teak thanked Simon again and paid my bill. “Type your address into my phone in case I lose you.”

Once I had him set up with directions to my house, he followed me.

About fifteen minutes later, we pulled in front of the little two bedroom I shared with Ivy. It was a cute light blue house with a small porch and back yard, but no close access to the beach. However, the two of us could afford it and it worked for us.

I met Teak back at his SUV and led him up the short sidewalk to my porch. However, when I got to the top step my eyes were drawn to the picture on the ground right in front of my door. It was an eight by ten photo of Teak and me at the café, but my head was cut out of the picture and something red dripped down the glossy paper and onto my porch. A switchblade stuck in the top of the photo, holding it in place.

Slapping a hand to my mouth, I barely suppressed a shriek as I stared at the image in horror, our earlier snack curdling in my stomach, making the threat of vomiting a real possibility.

four

~ Teak ~

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The moment Serenityfroze at the top of her steps, my eyes locked on the sickening photo someone had speared into her porch floor. “What the fuck? We need to ...You need to ...” No, I needed to knock it off. Wrapping my arms around her waist, I curled her into my chest and hugged her tightly. “I got you. It’s okay.” Then I kissed the top of her head. It was my job to provide the comfort and strength while she took some time to pull herself together. But shit, enough was enough. Although at least it looked like blood from a package of hamburger meat, not human; the sick fuck.

Her entire body shook in my arms as she wound hers around my back and burrowed in close. “I guess she could have figured out where I lived. I mean with the internet anything is possible, right?” She murmured into my shirt.

Holding her snugly to me with one arm, I used my other to pull out my phone and call the police. I explained the situation and gave them the address before slipping my phone back into my pocket. “Do you have another door we can use to get into your house?”

“I have a key to the back door too.”

“Come on. I want you to pack up enough stuff to last for a while, not just tonight, because you’re staying with me for now. We’ll get that done while we wait for the police to arrive. Then I’ll text Ascher and tell him to keep Ivy with him. I don’t think that will be a hardship for him either.” With her tucked to my side, I ushered her around back.

Slipping from my embrace, she took in a steadying breath and then unlocked her door before the two of us stepped into her hallway. Then she led me down to her bedroom.

I stood in the doorway while she crossed the room to grab a duffel from under her bed and dropped it onto the mattress. After unzipping it, she rushed over to her dresser and began rummaging through her drawers and then her closet, stuffing items inside.

Even though this was not the appropriate time, I couldn’t help my dick’s reaction to her cramming her sexy bras and panties into the duffel. Once she packed some casual clothes, she dug through her closet and pulled out a couple pairs of dress pants and blouses and a few sundresses to add to the bag.

While she packed, my mind spun with her earlier words about finding her place. Naomi didn’t know her name. It wasn’t like I had made introductions last night.

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