Page 19 of Plot Twist in Pelican Point
“Tell me you haven’t been murdered by your hot neighbor yet.”
Her voice is warm, teasing, exactly what I need.
“Not yet. But we might have a thief on the loose.”
After I explain everything, Emma whistles low. “Sounds like sabotage.”
“Thought the same thing. He’s acting like it’s nothing, but I can tell it’s not.”
Her voice sharpens—lawyer-mode activated. I forgot how steadying that could be. “Want me to dig around a little? See if anyone’s been nosing around the estate permits or zoning offices?”
I blink. “Can you really do that?”
“I’m a lawyer, Kate. I know people. Hell my brother and his wife are the developers. Besides you're one of my best friends and I’m nosy.”
I laugh, the sound unraveling some of the tension in my chest. “You’re the best.”
“Don’t you forget it. Keep your eyes open—and your pepper spray handy.”
CHAPTER 6
SEBASTIAN
Fog rolls in thick and fast, smothering the estate like a secret whispered through the trees. It clings to the hedgerows, dampening sound and turning shadows into silhouettes. The air smells faintly of salt and wet earth, muffling the usual creaks and groans of the old house, and distorting the edges of the world outside my window. The silence isn’t peaceful. It’s heavy. Watchful. Like the night itself is holding its breath, waiting for something to move—or break. I lean my forearm against the cold glass of my office window and stare at Kate’s cottage across the lawn.
Her lights are out now, but I can still see her—barefoot, flashlight gripped tight, cheeks flushed from cold and adrenaline. She looked like trouble. Like the kind of beautiful, defiant complication I’ve been dodging since Heidi blew my life sideways. Temptation wrapped in bare feet and stubborn fire, standing there with her heart practically blazing through her sweatshirt. And for one reckless second, I wanted nothing more than to get burned.
I shouldn’t want to protect her. I shouldn’t want to know what she tastes like when she’s breathless and challenging me. But I do.
And damn it, she looks at me like I still matter—like I haven’t failed anyone. Like I’m something worth wanting.
I scrub a hand down my face and turn away from the window. My study feels too small tonight, too close. The replacement blueprints I spread across the desk mock me, edges curling like they know something I don’t. Whoever broke in knew exactly what they wanted. They didn’t touch the tools or the tech. Just the plans. My plans.
And Kate was the one who saw it first.
I close the blueprint portfolio with a quiet snap, frustration simmering just beneath the surface. This isn’t about stolen blueprints anymore—it’s personal. I stride to the far end of the room, jaw set, pulse pounding like a warning bell in my ears. The overhead light casts sharp angles on the dark wood floor as I pull out my phone and dial a secure number from memory.
It rings twice.
"Cabot," Marc answers, crisp and alert.
"I need a favor," I say, my voice low.
"What kind?"
"The quiet kind. Background check. Break-in. No local cops. I want to know what we’re dealing with before rumors get out."
Marc exhales, barely audible. "You think it’s connected to the girl?"
I glance toward the window, my jaw tightening. "The timing’s too perfect. Blueprints disappear, someone creeps around, and Kate sees it before I do. It’s not some rookie pulling a prank. This was fast, precise. A message, maybe. Or a warning.”
"So she’s not just a nosy neighbor."
"No. She’s sharp. Too sharp. And I think she might be in danger."
"Alright. I’ll dig in. If it’s sabotage, I’ll find it."
"Appreciate it. And Marc?"
