Page 76 of Chasing Shelter

Trace’s throat worked as he tried to swallow. “Gabriel busted up a party out at The Meadows. Drugs were present. Jasper was in front of a trailer next door, clearly intoxicated.”

“Does that violate his parole?” I asked quietly.

In many ways, that would be a gift. Jasper would have to return to prison, and Trace would be free of him for a few more years at least.

“Gabriel’s checking now. Every parolee’s terms are different. But they’re drug testing him. If he dings positive, he’s definitely going back.”

Was it wrong that I hoped Jasper tested positive for every controlled substance under the sun? Probably. But I didn’t care. I didn’tclaim to be a noble person, and I would’ve done just about anything to protect Trace from the world of hurt currently raining down on him.

“Do you want me to go with you?” I asked.

I saw the slightest movement in Trace’s lips as if he were trying to smile. “You secretly a law enforcement agent of some sort?”

I huffed out a breath. “I could be a secret agent. I bet they have cool outfits.”

Trace chuckled, even if the sound was half-hearted. “Hate to break it to you, but most agents I know wear boxy, oversized, and ugly suits.”

“Damn.”

“Still bet you’d make it look good.”

My cheeks heated, but I didn’t take my eyes off Trace. “I could wait in your office or the car, just so you know I’m there.”

He stared at me for a long moment. “Means something. You offering that.”

I’d have waited twenty hours for Trace if it meant letting him know he wasn’t alone.

His gaze flicked down the hall. “Can you stay with Keely? If I’m not back by the time dinner’s over?”

I tried to hold back the jerk my body wanted to make. Because I knew that was a whole new level of trust. “I’ve got her.”

Trace lifted his chin in understanding. Agreement. “Nora has an extra set of keys and a spare booster seat if you need it.”

“We’ll figure it out. Text me if you need anything.”

Trace squeezed my fingers and then released them, already moving. He poked his head into the living room. “Got a callout. Be back if I can. Keels, Ellie’s gonna stay with you if I’m late.”

Keely’s green gaze moved to me instantly. “Bestie time?”

“You know it. We can do face masks,” I told her.

Keely cheered, spinning in a circle of pure glee.

“Good to know I’ll be missed,” Trace muttered, amusement lacing his words.

“Be safe,” I whispered.

“I’ll be fine.” And then he was gone.

I wasn’t so sure about his words. Didn’t quite believe them.Because Jasper was stirring up memories that I wasn’t sure Trace had ever truly dealt with.

When I turned back to the room, it was to find everyone staring at me. I glanced behind me, half-expecting to see a giant green alien or a grizzly, but there was nothing. “What?”

Fallon grinned at me. “Trace doesn’t trust people with Keely easily.”

Shep lifted his beer to me in a salute. “And bynot trust easily, she means he runs at least two different background checks, asks for five references, and puts a nanny cam somewhere every time.”

My jaw went a little slack at that. “Seriously?”

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