Page 126 of Delicate Escape

“No concern of yours, but you’re on private property. You’ve got to the count of five before I get the sheriff’s department out here.”

“But it’s not your property, is it?” Brendan’s gaze moved to me. “Come on, Selly. We need to talk.”

“I don’t have anything to say to you.” My voice was calmer than I felt. Just having him anywhere near my house was almost more than I could take.

Brendan sent me one of those smiles that used to reel me back in. The kind full of disarming charm that promised the world, only to pull the rug out minutes later. “Don’t be like that. I’ve missed you?—”

“Don’t talk to her. Don’t even fucking look at her,” Shep ground out.

Rage flashed across Brendan’s face for the briefest of moments before cocky arrogance replaced it. “But I’ve more thantalkedto her, Shepard. I know every inch of her body. I know what it sounds like when she?—”

Shep lunged. He was fast, but I had sheer panic on my side. I grabbed hold of Shep’s T-shirt, trying to hold him back from decking Brendan. “Don’t,” I begged. “That’s exactly what he wants. He’d have you in jail before you could blink.”

Shep struggled for control, knowing I was right but not wanting to listen to reason.

Brendan started to laugh. “She’s got you on a short leash.”

A muscle ticked wildly in Shep’s jaw as he pulled his phone out of his pocket. “Calling the sheriff’s department.”

Anger flashed again in Brendan’s expression. He knew that a public police report was the last thing he needed, but his gaze cut to me. “It’s good that you remember who’s in charge, Selena. Who always will be.”

Shep made a move for Brendan again, but he slid into his SUV, gunning the engine and peeling out of my drive. Shep jumped back, narrowly avoiding a spray of gravel. He didn’t turn back to me until he was sure the SUV was gone for good. When he did, fury blasted across his face.

“Are you okay?” he gritted out.

No. I wasn’t okay. Not because Brendan knew where I lived or because he wasn’t leaving me the hell alone, it was for another reason entirely. One that brought all my fears roaring back to life.

“Shep, he knows who you are.”

48

SHEP

I slammedthe door of my truck so hard it sent the entire vehicle rocking. My back molars ground together as I stalked up the walkway to Trace’s Craftsman. It wasn’t one of my builds, but I had redone the kitchen and bathrooms, along with putting in a window seat for Keely in her bedroom.

But I couldn’t take in the family charm of the place now, or how hard my brother had worked to give Keely everything he hadn’t had growing up. I was too furious.

I’d taken my time to make sure Thea was okay and wasn’t triggered or frightened. But all she seemed to be concerned about was me. That Brendan knew who I was. That he would hurt me. My business, my reputation. But I didn’t give a damn about that. All I cared about was her.

I’d waited until Anson and Rhodes could get to my place before taking off for Trace’s. I hadn’t wanted to leave her alone, not when Brendan thought he could show up at her house whenever he pleased. But I needed to talk to my brother. And I had to do it alone.

Taking the steps two at a time, I reached the front porch in record time. I knocked twice but didn’t hear an answer. I knew he had to be home. His shift had ended an hour ago, and Keely was with her mom this week.

I knocked again, louder this time.

Footsteps sounded from inside, and the door swung open. “Jesus, Shep. Give me a second to get to the door—” His words cut off as he took in my face. “What happened?”

My jaw worked back and forth. “Brendan was waiting for Thea when we got home.”

Trace was on alert in a split second. “Inside or outside?”

“Out.”

“Damn it. I wanted to get him on breaking and entering at least.”

“Trespassing?” I suggested.

Trace shook his head, motioning me inside and shutting the door behind me. “I’ve been to Thea’s place. There are no signs that state it’s private property. It’d never stand up in court.”

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