Page 43 of Heartbeats and Hashtags
I meet her eyes, my protective instinct alight. “It means we handle this ourselves. I’ll keep you safe, Everly. Then we make whoever scared you this way very,verysorry.”
My tone brokers no debate. The police may be powerless, but I sure as hell am not. This ends.Now. I have no idea how I’m going to figure out who this is definitively, but I’m sure as hell going to try.
Everly swallows hard.
In the caron the way to the only place I know is secure, I dial the PI team, tension rising. But despite escalating things to immediate priority, they reiterate the sting operation's prior dead ends. No actionable digital footprint exists tying anyone to creation of the burner accounts, the knife, note, or bear picture.
“Well, they took a photo of teddy bear with its head sewn back on in her bedroom. So, review the security footage again and then get back to me when you’ve got an answer,” I bark.
I grind my jaw, glaring mutely as their apologetic technical jargon washes over me. Incompetent tech geeks — I should storm headquarters and shake answers loose personally.
“So we've still got nothing to trace who this creep is?” Everly asks in a small voice.
I drag a hand over my hair and squeeze her thigh.
“For now,” I confirm. “But, Everly. I won't stop until the threat is eliminated,I swear it.”
EVERLY
Cole unlocks the large white door of his apartment and gestures for me to enter first.What a gentleman.My shaking has stopped at least, and I’ve regained the strength to speak. I think Cole is tense enough for both of us if the way he was gripping that steering wheel is anything to go by.The photo and knowledge that this person was in my house spooked me, hard. It’s as though all the repressed fears I’ve been hiding the last few weeks came to the surface all at once.
I’m immediately struck by the tidy, minimalist aesthetic.Veryon-brand for Mr. Monochrome himself.
Seeing his large frame in front of the door reminds me of how huge of a man he is. It isseriouslyimpressive. I wonder where they make Cole’s. Is there a private island cut off from the rest of the world where they craft these men? Is there somewhere the Michael Jordans and Coles of the world are built before they enter the real, mundane world with usmere mortals?
My eyes land on an imposing security monitor flashing multiple live camera views of the building's entry points and garage. Cole taps the high-res screen.
“Latest surveillance tech — feeds directly to my phone anytime there's movement. Plus DNA fingerprint entry access, motion sensors, the works.”
I let out an impressed whistle as he continues the tour. The smart lighting, voice-automated kitchen, and armored window panels reinforce this fortress down to the ground. Though Cole seems to wear the space lightly rather than truly inhabiting it.
In the gleaming kitchen, my gaze lands on a box of open ginger tea.Huh?I imagine Cole sipping his tea alone at night, seeking comfort when his barricades finally drop.
As Cole double-checks the security system, I walk over and touch his arm. “Thanks for sharing your safe zone with me tonight.”
His eyes trace over me for a moment. “It's not much decoration-wise given how rarely I make it home.” Cole shoves his hands into his pockets. “But absolutely designed for security, yes. Only the best.”
I squeeze his formidable bicep and give him a teasing smile.
“Well, it definitely screams ‘tough guy fortress.’ Maybe if we get snowed in sometime I can sneak a throw pillow or two inside. Just to test your tolerance level for pink and frilly.”
Cole looks genuinely afraid before he huffs a laugh.
“How long have you been here again?” I muse aloud, only partially joking.
I wander slowly through the rooms, looking for anything, some sort of clue that might give me a better idea of who Cole is. In the living area, the dark-leather couch and recliner are neatly arranged, nothing out of place. No clutter, magazines, or personal photos fill the empty surfaces. A basic TV hangs on the wall above a simple media console.
Cole follows behind me silently, watching me observehimnow for once. Then he says something about checking the entry points and wanders off.
Alone, I decide it can’t hurt to continue snooping. Besides, Cole has seen my whole house. Down the hall, I peek into the bedroom. A neatly made queen bed is topped with plain navy sheets and a gray duvet. No artwork or mementos adorn the walls or dresser.
Only the overflowing bookcase shows real signs of use, crammed with thick tactical manuals and historical nonfiction. I smile, pulling one out at random and tracing the cover.
Returning to the living area, a well-used chess set I didn’t notice before on the table catches my eye.I wonder who he plays with.
We ordered some pizza,which was an occasion for us both as we both tend to eat pretty much only home-cooked food. It's one thing that works well with us living together; we both know what chia seeds are andlovethem.
But I have to admit it feels sogoodto relax a little eat pizza with a friend and watch a movie.Yeah, a friend you really, really want to kiss again.Even if it does feel a little like we’re playing make-believe, pretending there isn’t some creep out there waiting to pounce on me.
