Page 17 of Deep Waters
Chapter 8 – Zach
Igritted my teeth against Deputy Vega’s flirting. In another lifetime, I would have flirted back. But not with Rae in my arms. Grounding me. Trusting me. Her warm weight helped ease the tension that threatened to lock my jaw.
An intruder had been in the house. I couldn’t swear to exactly when I’d last been in the office, but I would have noticed the scratches. The other signs that someone had been inside were subtle. A hint of cologne. A pile of documents on Jordan’s desk that were askew earlier. Nothing seemed amiss in the living room or kitchen. But I’d swear the guest room door was closed when I left. I doubted Rae opened it.
We walked through with Deputy Vega, Rae peeling off to sit with the kids after confirming for the deputy that she hadn’t noticed any damage to the filing cabinet before today.
“We’ll add more patrols out this way. Have you considered upgrading security at the house?”
I grimaced. “It’s not our house. I’ll have to talk with Rae. See what she thinks Jia would be comfortable with.”
“Right.” Deputy Vega smiled sheepishly. “I think it’s so sweet what you’re doing, helping out while she’s gone.”
My “Thanks for coming out,” was brusque, but I didn’t care that the deputy’s smile faltered. I needed to get back to Rae and the kids.
Hana was groggy, just waking from her nap as I returned to the living room. “Want a snack, Hana-banana?” I asked, connecting with Rae and dipping my chin toward the kitchen.
“A cut-up apple?” Hana asked hopefully, and I nodded.
“You got it. What about you, Tae?”
“I’m good,” he said, returning to his video game.
He seemed uninterested in the deputy, which only served to remind me that he’d probably seen more law enforcement in a few short months than I had in my entire childhood. His dad’s accident had created a lot of questions. Rae and her friends discovered Jordan’s body floating in a cove on one of their Saturday hikes. The coroner’s report indicated accidental drowning, but nothing explained how Jordan had made it to the cliffs or what he’d been doing up there so late. The best anyone could figure, he’d been dropped off to watch the sunset, but no one admitted to giving him a ride, and his truck was found in town.
“Did the deputy have anything new to share?” Rae asked as I sliced an apple for Hana.
“No. Just offered to increase patrols to our area. She did suggest that we look into more security for the house.” I glanced up from the cutting board. “How do you think Jia would feel about that?”
Rae screwed up her face in a grimace. “I’ll try to get a message to her.” She rubbed her shoulders. “I don’t like the idea of someone getting in here.”
“Do you want to take the kids and move onto one of the boats?” I asked.
“Not enough room.”
“What about the farm? We could move in with my parents and Gran for a while. There are plenty of bedrooms there.”
Rae’s smile was forced, but the hint of mischief gave me hope. “I’m not sure what’s worse: strangers pawing through my things, or your Gran. She has no mercy.”
My chuckle sounded rusty, but if Rae could joke, I could too. “She’s never met a boundary she couldn’t cross.” I sobered. “But if that’s what it takes to make you feel safe, that’s what we’ll do.”
Rae rubbed the heels of her palms over her eyes. “I don’t know. Maybe I’d rather face Jia’s wrath for installing a security system she doesn’t want. I’d never forgive myself if we went to your family farm and something bad happened here. Jia needs a house to come home to. Living with your family isn’t a permanent solution.”
“No, but Jia would want the kids’ and your safety to come first,” I pointed out.
“Let me think about it,” she said.
I piled apple slices on a plate and dropped them off in front of a thankful Hana. She smiled absently, her attention captured by the cartoon she’d turned on.
“Don’t you have to go back to Harbor Brews?” Rae asked.
“Nope. Thought I’d take the rest of the day off.” I held her gaze. “I’m not leaving you alone.” She looked like she wanted to argue. “I’m not.”
Rae was too important to risk. It had taken me too long to realize it, but now that I’d wised up, I wasn’t losing time or opportunities. I didn’t like the idea that someone had invaded her space. Touched her things.
Jordan’s death hit our community hard. Someone breaking in while Jia was deployed had my intuition for trouble buzzing. Anyone who thought Rae would be an easy target was dead wrong. She had me. And I’d call in the fucking cavalry if I needed to. Burn every favor. Play every card at my disposal.
Anyone who wanted her was going to have to go through me.
