Page 35 of Tinsel Time Treasure
“And what if he decides to watch the door instead of the parking lot?”
I hugged my knees to my chest. “I’ll probably have to spend a couple hours a day there. Make it appear that I’m coming and going.”
“I don’t like it. In fact, I’m against it.”
My fingers curled into my palms. “I don’t like it either. But if he was willing to break into my apartment…” I lowered my head and ran my hands through my hair. “That rose was a message: that he could get at me whenever he wanted. What are the chances he wouldn’t try to back up that claim if I was somewhere new?”
“And that’s precisely why you shouldn’t do it,” Max stated.
My head snapped up and over to where he stood at the edge of the living room.
“Max,” Annie warned. “You’re not supposed to be in here.”
“Too bad. I know you got me out to ask if he was sure about staying here. But I heard most of the plan.” He turned to me. “I don’t want to see you putting yourself in danger like that.”
I frowned and held out my hands to him.
Max rushed over and took my hands in his.
“I need to do this,” I said, squeezing his hands. “I’m not going to live in fear, and I’m not going to let him do this to anybody else. If the police need proof that he’s committing a crime, then let’s get it.”
“You were hiding on my patio only an hour ago, shaking in fear.”
“I know,” I agreed. “That’s why I have to do this. The longer this goes on, the more days will be like that. How long until he gives up on his own? Will he? Even if he does, can I trust that it’s really over?”
He turned to face Annie. “Tell him how dangerous this is.”
She shook her head. “I don’t think I need to.”
“I know how dangerous it is,” I stated. “I’m terrified. But I can either let him win, or fight back.”
My eyes met Max’s. “I choose to fight.”
Chapter 12 - Max
Things had gone from bad to worse. Not only was Justin dealing with some asshat who didn’t understand the meaning of the word ‘no,’ but now he was about to purposefully put himself in danger.
My alpha side was insistent that I protect this omega, and my brain was only echoing the instinct.
It was Justin’s determination that finally won me over, which left me with only a single option: support the hell out of him.
I sat on the floor next to him, listening as he and Annie worked through the details of his plan. To say that I hated it was an understatement. I absolutely loathed the thought of him putting himself at further risk.
Still, I tried to focus. I needed to be able to accomplish anything he asked of me.
Finally the details were settled, and it was time to go.
Annie and I flanked Justin as we headed across the parking lot to his apartment. We shared a small nod as he unlocked his door, then we were inside.
It was eerily quiet, but maybe that was because Justin seemed like such an outgoing man.
“You ok?” Annie asked as she watched Justin take several steps ahead.
He nodded. “Yeah. It just…” He paused. “It doesn’t feel like my place right now.”
“I get it,” Grace said. “Why don’t you go start packing a few things and we can wait out here.”
“Yeah,” he muttered as he walked down the hall.
