Page 32 of Shiver

“If it’s true that you dreamed someone was in the house and someone was, then it’s not too far off the mark to believe that someone had also been standing over my bed with a knife in his hand. Or that he followed us when we left your house yesterday. Your safety here has been compromised.”

“I agree. What can I do?”

“Be extra careful.”

“And?”

“Don’t worry. I won’t let it happen again.”

Okay, not exactly what she expected to hear. What if he wasn’t as all-powerful as he thought?

“I won’t let you out of my sight. Nothing is going to happen to you on my watch.”

Warmth crept up her throat at the thought of his full attention focused solely on her, while anxiety twisted and turned in her stomach. Now he’d start questioning her, wanting every detail of her visions—where they came from and how. If only she knew.

“Hope you’re hungry.”

“Starved,” she admitted and wondered where the third degree was. Did he really believe her? She stared at his back, trying to figure him out. Instead, all she thought was how could someone look so sexy scrambling eggs? The strong muscles in his shoulders rippled as he slid the rubber spatula beneath the eggs and flipped them.

He turned, placing bowls of steaming eggs, potatoes, bacon, and grits in front of her. She’d been so focused on him, she hadn’t seen the abundance of food he’d prepared. “Wow,” she breathed. “This is impressive.”

“When you’re a bachelor, you either learn to cook or starve. I don’t like to go hungry.”

She could see that. She was certain he didn’t deprive himself of anything.

“Shouldn’t we find somewhere else to stay?”

“And miss a great opportunity to catch this guy on my home turf? Not on your life.”

Eyes wide, Devra looked up, a forkful of eggs midway to her mouth. But wasn’t that what they were talking about? Her life? “I guess you know best,” she said feeling more than a touch confused.

“Don’t worry. As long as I’m around nothing will happen to you.”

His confidence was not comforting. There was something about the look in his eyes that sent warning lights flashing through her mind.

A piercing scream filled the morning air. Devra dropped her fork. Riley was up and running out the door. She hesitated for only a second, then ran after him. Riley entered the barn, just as she rounded the house. Devra slowed near the opening as she heard a loud, heart-wrenching sob that reached grabbed hold of her heart.

LuAnn was on the ground, her face buried in the fur of one of her dogs. Both arms were opened wide and wrapped around the still bodies of two other dogs. Riley bent near the form of the fourth. Devra’s throat tightened, squeezing off her breath.

“It’s okay,” Riley said softly. LuAnn looked up at him, her face wet and swollen. “They’ve been drugged, but they’re not dead. Just sleeping.”

“Drugged? But why?” she asked. “Why would anyone do that?”

Riley looked up, catching Devra’s eye. LuAnn turned to her and gave a little cry, her eyes widening with shock. “No,” she moaned and shook her head.

“It’s okay, LuAnn. It’s only Devra. Remember, you met her yesterday.”

She looked up again—eyes narrowing in confusion. “She looks so much like Michelle. I don’t understand.”

He stood and offered her his hand. “I’m going to take you back to the house.” He helped her up. “The dogs will be all right. I’ll call Dr. Williams once we get there.”

She nodded and patted his hand. “Thank you, Riley.” But before they’d gone two steps, she stopped and turned back to the horse stalls behind her. She left Riley’s side and hurried to one of the stalls. A deep cry escaped her. “Oh my God. It’s Storm. He’s gone.”

Chapter 13

Once he got LuAnn settled,called the vet and the local police, Riley called his partner. “Tony,” he said softly as his partner answered the line. “I need you to do me a favor and check and see if Miss Morgan has a cell phone. I haven’t seen her with one.”

“Everyone has a cell phone.”

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