Page 25 of Tessa's Trust

Aiden looked at Nick. “Any news on Sadie or Jonathan Brando?”

Nick shook his head. “Sheriff Franco said he’d text me with updates. So far, nothing.”

My throat went dry. I hoped Sadie was all right.

We all stood and walked back outside, and even I scouted the area as if looking for threats. The lazily falling snow masked whatever danger was out there. Our vehicles were already parked near the snowy curb.

“Your brother was quick,” Rory said. “Make sure to thank him.”

Nick nodded and crouched to study a couple of bullet holes above his left rear tire. “They dug out the evidence.” He sighed. “The shooter was aiming for tires and the building. Was it to scare or harm?”

Nobody had an answer.

Anna tugged on my jacket. “You’ll have to stay with us.”

I shook my head. “You guys don’t even have an extra room or a bed.” In fact, if I remembered right, Aiden’s new cabin didn’t have decent insulation yet. “I’ll stay at Donna’s. Or better yet, I’ll stay at my new apartment in Silverville.”

“Above where the dead body was found?” Anna asked, her eyebrows rising. “I don’t think so.”

I couldn’t quite grasp that somebody was trying to hurt me, but if that were the case, I didn’t want to stay with my parents or grandparents. I didn’t want to put them in danger.

“You’re staying with me,” Rory murmured. “And I’m not arguing about it.”

As cousins went, he was usually pretty mellow, but right now, he was ticking me off. However, I also wasn’t an idiot. “That’s fine,” I said primly. It made sense to remain in pairs, at least until I figured out what was going on. I looked at Nick, who had been quiet through my exchange with my family.

“You could have been the target,” I said. “It’s entirely possible this whole thing is a coincidence and not tied to whatever’s going on with Silver Sadie’s.”

He nodded. “Agreed. I have had a few threats. I will look into them.”

“All right, good enough.” Aiden bundled Anna against his side. “It’s getting late. We’re headed home. If you need help arranging furniture tomorrow, let us know.”

“I thought you had to work that case in Nevada?” Anna looked up at him.

His gaze flicked to me and then moved back to her, blue and dangerous. “I’m going to send in the team. For now, I’m staying here.”

Anna blushed, and I thought it was kind of sweet. It was also kind that Aiden Devlin would put his life on hold for whatever was happening right now.

I hugged my sister before she jumped into the truck, and then they slowly drove away in his large black truck. A smattering of bullet holes marred the rear door, and I had no doubt he’d have it taken care of in no time. Aiden seemed to love his truck.

I looked at my cousin. “All right. How about we drive over the pass and at least make sure everybody put my furniture in the right places? Then we can argue about whether we’re going to stay at my new apartment or at your cabin.”

Rory had a place near the river that he stayed at when he came home. “Oh, we’re staying at the cabin,” he muttered.

I rolled my eyes.

“Call me if you hear anything.” Nick’s gaze was warm on me. “I’m glad you’re okay.”

“Thanks,” I said, feeling breathless. He’d taken me right to the ground and covered me with his large body. “I mean it, Nick. I appreciate how quickly you moved to protect me.”

Rory’s phone buzzed, and he lifted it to his ear. “What? When? Now? I’m on my way.” He put the phone down and started toward his silver truck and then paused, looking at me. “Shit.”

“What’s wrong?” I asked.

He shook his head. “It’s Serenity. There’s a problem.”

Serenity was Rory’s ex-fiancée, who had dumped him after finding out that he hadn’t been exactly honest with her about his job. In true Rory fashion, he’d first given her until Christmas—then extended that to New Year’s Day—to get over it so they could work on their relationship.

My stomach dropped. I’d always really liked Serenity. “Is she okay?”

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