Page 30 of Forbidden Secrets
Delaney nodded.“I do.Walker and I both want to have a better understanding of what happened that night and with the trial, if you’re comfortable talking about it.We feel like there’s a lot we don’t know.”
“I want that too.”The tension in Melanie’s shoulders eased.“I bought a house east of town.I’m still unpacking, but I’d be happy to host if you and Walker want to come over one day this week.”
“Let’s exchange contact information.I’ll talk with Walker and check our schedules.Would you mind coming here?It’ll be easier with Harper’s nap schedule.”
“Sure, that’s fine.I’d prefer a time when Addy’s at school.”
“Okay, then I’ll text you so we can set it up.”
With numbers exchanged, Delaney asked, “What street is your house on?”
“Bluebell Lane.The house needs work, but Addy and I are excited about having a couple acres.We’re already planning our garden for next spring.”
“Oh, that’s fun.I can’t wait until Harper is old enough to do things like that.You must be neighbors with Gage Landry, he bought a house on Bluebell Lane last year.”
“We’re next-door neighbors and kind of friends.”Were they friends?What was between them was hard to define.“Gage asked to be included when we meet.He seems to think he should keep an eye on me.”
Delaney raised her brows.“Ooh, that’s interesting.”
Melanie shook her head.“Oh no.It’s not that kind of interesting.”
That didn’t stop Delaney from grinning.“Gage is a fine-looking man but more than that, he’s been a rock through all that my sisters and I have been through.”
Wanting to get off the subject of Gage, Melanie said, “Since you were an only child when we were kids, I’d like to meet your sisters and hear that story.”
A couple came up behind them, the man’s shopping basket heavy with jars of jam and honey.
“It’s a good story,” Delaney said.“We’ll catch up when we get together.Let me get your buckets.”
***
Monday morning was a lot easier when you worked from home.Gage still had to work, but he could sit around in sweats if he wanted.Not that he did, but the option was there.
This morning, he spent a chunk of time on the phone with Phil, potential client and CEO of a logistics company located in Reno.Gage’s job was to convince Phil that if he hired Landry Investigation and Security, LIS could handle not only the recent physical breach at the company’s headquarters, but also set up cyber protections.
Since the company’s physical security consisted of deadbolts and a few cameras, anything would be an upgrade.
Gage had been developing LIS over the past year and, with approval from the Bureau, already had clients and employees.With his separation from the FBI finalized, he was ready to expand.Most of his services were of the cyber variety, but LIS also did physical threat assessments.He had two guys working with him, both former FBI agents, and once he added a few more clients, he’d hire another.He and Phil finally came to terms and Gage scheduled Dinh to fly to Reno.
Dinh did good work.If Phil was impressed, he might recommend LIS to his network of clients.That kind of word-of-mouth could be the difference between barely scraping by and building something solid.
He grabbed his coffee mug and headed for the kitchen.Sprawled in her bed, Pancake went from comatose to alert in less than a second and scrambled to follow him.Deciding to switch to tea, he filled the kettle.Waiting for the water to heat, he looked out the window.As was becoming habit, instead of taking in the view, his eyes drifted to Melanie’s place.
He liked catching glimpses of her taking out her trash or raking leaves.There was something about the way she moved—competent, confident, a little guarded—that made it impossible not to watch.Add dark hair, big eyes, and curves he couldn’t help but notice, and yeah.He was hooked.
She’d surprised him with that kiss.He wouldn’t mind a repeat—with a bit more heat.
That morning Pancake had waited on the patio until Addy came out, dressed for school.The kid wore a puffy pink coat and a backpack that looked too big for her tiny frame, her dark hair in braids and a purple beanie on her head.Melanie had followed her out of the house still pulling on her coat.
Pancake had minded her manners.Mostly.There’d been a slipup when she’d swiped her tongue over Addy’s chin.It did something in Gage’s chest when he saw the girl wrapping her arms around the dog and Melanie giving Pancake a good head rub.Then all three rounded the corner of the house and disappeared down the driveway on the way to the bus stop.
Now two hours later, there was no Melanie outside.Her car was parked in front of the garage, though, so he guessed she was in the house.He poured hot water over the teabag and let it steep.Mug half-raised, he slammed it to the counter, tea sloshing onto the tile.Two men had come up the driveway to the back of Melanie’s house.One wore dark clothing with a black watch cap, and the other a navy sweatshirt with a big Nike swoosh.Nike guy disappeared around the far corner and Black Hat cupped his hands around his eyes to peer through a window.
His gut clenched and a jolt of fear ripped through him.Fear for Melanie.
He punched 9-1-1 into his phone and hit speaker.Drawing on his training, he locked his emotions down tight.Movements calm and practiced, he went to the downstairs safe and retrieved his Glock 19, strapping on his shoulder holster and securing the weapon.When the call connected, he relayed what he’d seen, identified himself as former FBI, and that he was armed and going in.The dispatcher confirmed units would be sent.
He’d been on plenty of high-stakes operations before, but none had ever felt this personal.This wasn’t about duty, it was about protecting Melanie.
