Page 141 of Delicate Escape

I counted off footsteps as I walked away from the house, trying to give myself a rough idea of distance. Living with Thea these past few weeks, I’d seen just how much her outdoor space meant to her. She spent far more time outdoors than in. And it had me seeing my own space through new eyes.

Reaching a slight dip in the ground, I stopped. This really would be the perfect spot for a pool. But not just any pool, one that felt like it was a part of the nature surrounding it. Hell, I might even put in a lazy river. The thought was ridiculous, but I didn’t give a damn. Not when I could picture Thea out here in a bikini, floating in an inner tube.

My gaze lifted as I envisioned it. Thea laughing as I chased her through the water, lush gardens springing up all around us and meltinginto the natural landscape she’d envisioned. Gardens that Thea could make her own.

And a greenhouse. Thea needed a greenhouse. The most epic one I could build her.

As I stared off at the property to the east, I began drawing up plans in my mind. I tried different styles and colors but none of them were exactly right. I turned back to the house, taking in the worn siding Thea had liked so much. It hit me then.

The greenhouse needed history. To feel like it fit with the house. The framing needed that worn, weathered look I was keeping on the main structure. But every single surface would be paned.

I’d have to go with a specialty glass that would be unbreakable in the face of snow and hail. It would cost a pretty penny, but it would be worth it. Because it would have the same kind of strength Thea had.

“What the hell are you staring at so hard?” Anson asked, coming up behind me.

“Going to build Thea a greenhouse right there.” I pointed to the spot.

Anson was quiet for a long moment. “This your place?”

“It’s my place.”

“Finally,” he muttered.

I turned to face him, one corner of my mouth kicking up. “Says the guy who only had an ancient bed and one overstuffed chair until he moved in with my sister.”

Anson grinned. “I’m starting to see the value in settling.”

“Me, too,” I said, turning back to that perfect spot.

“You love her?”

“She’s it.” The knowledge of that settled something deep in my bones. A sense of grounding I’d been searching for, for as long as I could remember.

“Love that you’ve found that,” Anson said, his voice going rough.

“Love it for you, too.”

Because Rhodes had soothed something in Anson in a similar fashion. He’d just had different wounds to heal.

“Just got a call from Dex.”

I turned back to Anson so fast my vision blurred. “And?”

Another sort of smile spread across Anson’s face. But this one had a feral edge to it. “He’s in.”

I gaped at Anson. “Brendan’s computer?”

He nodded. “Dex found enough to bury him for a long fucking time. And it’s not just Thea. That asshole has done this sort of thing to at least six other women.”

A mixture of rage and relief coursed through me. “How do we get him? All of this was obtained illegally?—”

Anson cut me off with a wave of his hand. “Been down this road before. All Dex has to do is send the evidence to Trace and the cybercrimes unit at the FBI anonymously. There’s no proof it was obtained illegally.”

“You’re sure?” We couldn’t risk Brendan sneaking out of this. He’d just be more careful next time.

“One hundred percent. I’ll have Trace interface with the FBI. They can make a plan to seize all his electronics at once, both from his rental here and his place in LA. Dex will freeze his computers from the inside so nothing can get wiped. We got the bastard.”

Relief swept through me, almost sending me to my knees. It wasn’t the torture that Brendan deserved, but it was something. And he’d lose the adoration of the public when everything came to light, which might be the worst sort of death blow for a man like him.

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