Page 58 of Follow Your Instincts

“That IA asshole already doesn’t believe me. If I say Phillips pushed me down in the street when he’s not even supposed to know where I am, they’re going to think I’m just making shit up,” Maggie said. “It’s not worth it.”

“If we don’t report this, that fuck will keep coming after you,” Soren said savagely.

“No,” Maggie said stubbornly. “I’m not going to look even weaker.”

“Being attacked in the dark by a coward doesn’t make you weak,” Soren argued.

“Enough,” I said quietly. “This is Maggie’s decision, not yours.”

Soren shut his mouth reluctantly.

“Howdidhe know where you were?” Ben asked, his hand resting protectively on her thigh.

“I don’t know,” Maggie said, sounding weary.

“Any ideas?” Soren said and turned to Steffi, an accusatory note in his voice.

“I assure you we are already having the NON IT team look tosee if there were any data breaches,” Steffi said, bristling.

“I’ll contact them myself and see if I can help,” I said. “But it doesn’t matter how he found out. He did, and it’s clear that he’s unhinged.”

Maggie sighed. “It’s my fault. I shouldn’t have left the Center on my own. As long as I stay there, he can’t get to me again.”

Lucas rubbed her back softly. “None of this is your fault, sugar.”

“And you shouldn’t have to be a prisoner in that Center,” I said, my voice rough. “No offense.”

“Well,” Steffi sniffed, offended.

I stood and then knelt in front of Maggie. I delicately took her bandaged hands in mine. “We’re going to protect you. I can promise you that.”

Maggie met my eyes, and I could see tears gathering.

“I do think you should reconsider reporting what happened. It might make him think twice about trying to hurt you again.”

Maggie shook her head sadly, and a few tears spilled out onto her cheeks. “It won’t change anything,” she said.

I hesitated for a moment, then brushed the tears away softly with my thumb. Maggie’s breath caught, and I pulled away.

“Then I’d like for you to come and stay with us. At least until this whole thing is settled.”

Maggie looked shocked. “You want me to stay with you?”

“Desperately,” I said. “I don’t think I’ll be able to sleep unless I know you’re home safe with us. And I think everyone else would agree.”

“I think it’s a great idea,” Ben said immediately.

“Absolutely,” Lucas said, still stroking her back.

“Of course I want you to stay with us, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still put in a goddamn police report,” Soren said gruffly.

Maggie turned back to face me again. “You’re sure? I don’t want to be a burden.”

“Yes,” I said determinedly, and brushed my thumb against her cheek one more time. “I’m sure.”

Maggie’s face split into a watery smile. “It would be nice to get out of that prison.”

“Now really, that’s quite enough,” Steffi said primly, but she was also smiling.

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