Page 26 of Bookgasms
Maya sidles up to us, running her hand up and down Dani’s back as she avoids meeting my eyes. “Do you need anything, Dani?”
She turns her head so she can see Maya and shakes her head. “Not unless you can go back in time and make this not happen.”
“Sadly, I can’t.” Maya sighs. “I know how much you love that car.”
Dani shrugs. “I know it’s just a thing, but it’s one of the first things I bought for myself.”
“Maybe it’s just fate’s way of telling you it’s time for an upgrade,” I joke, and both women glare at me. “Sorry. Just trying to lighten the mood.”
Dani pats my chest. “Yeah, probably a little too soon for that.”
“Dani?”
My head snaps up at the sound of Victor’s deep voice, finding him and Jason making their way over to us. My eyes flicker between the two of them, but their eyes are focused on the woman in my arms.
“Are you okay?” Jason asks, worry furrowing his brow.
“Put me down?” Dani asks, patting my chest again.
I want to refuse her, happy to keep holding her forever, but I know I can’t. I hold on to her for another second or two before placing her on her feet.
She’s immediately swept into Jason’s arms while Victor presses a kiss to the top of her head before joining me.
“What happened?”
“We’re not sure. I saw her car when I was heading toward the building and immediately called her.” I lower my voice, flicking my eyes to Dani, who’s talking quietly with Jason and Maya. “I don’t like the message on the hood.”
Victor steps closer to the car, tilting his head so he can read it. When he turns back to me, his eyes flash with anger. “What the fuck?”
I chuckle. “That’s what I said.”
“Who the hell would do this?”
“That’s what she said.” I snicker, ignoring the glare he shoots me. “Sorry. Ben is having someone pull the video from the lot. He said he’d put in the call to the police too. Considering the building she lives in, I think they’ll respond faster than they would to my place.”
I don’t live in a dive anymore, but I didn’t see the point in spending an outrageous amount of money on somewhere Imostly just sleep. It’s not like I bring anyone back to my place either.
Victor hums as Ben joins us. “The police should be here shortly. The chief’s daughter lives here, so you can be sure they’re going to be fast about it.”
“Good. Although they should be fast, no matter where it happens.” Victor shakes his head, eyes moving back to Dani. “I don’t like this.”
Ben clears his throat. “Normally, I wouldn’t say anything that would break a resident’s confidentiality, but I’m also worried about Miss Williams’s safety. For the last six months to a year, she’s been receiving wrapped gift boxes without a return address. They’re delivered via different couriers, and we collect all packages at the front desk for the residents’ safety.”
“Excuse me?” Victor’s eyes flash as he turns to Ben. “Who are you?”
Ben straightens up, offering his hand. “Ben Davis, head of security for the night shift.”
“So this happened on your watch?” Victor’s voice is practically a growl as he ignores the offered hand. “And you’re telling me this likely isn’t an isolated incident?”
Ben’s hand falls back to his side. “I shouldn’t have told you that.”
“But you did,” I press. “Because you’re worried.”
He gives a sharp nod. “I am.”
“Then so are we. We won’t say anything to Dani, but the police need to know. She might tell them. If she doesn’t, you’ll need to.”
“Of course.” He nods again, eyes shifting as a car rolls into the parking lot, followed by another and then another. “It seems the police have arrived. Let me greet them.”
