Page 12 of Saved from Obsession

Her eyes flash with happiness, but it quickly fades. “I wish this wasn’t happening to you, G.”

“It’s going to be alright.” I pull my best friend into a hug. Infusing my voice with confidence—one thing I learned in my years of modeling was to fake it until you make it—I say, “You said these guys are the best. They’ll catch my stalker, and then I can come visit you and Boone in Texas. Meet all your other friends I’ve heard so much about.”

“Yeah…” Hayden’s voice trails off. “You have to come visit soon.”

“I will. Once this is all over. But I want to come when it’s baby cow season.” Hayden’s husband owns a cattle farm, and he raises high quality cows and heifers. I’ve seen some photos of the calves and they’re the cutest things ever.

Hayden’s lips lift into a smile. “Well, some of them are just being born now. But they’ll be small and cute for a while, so you’ve got a few months to work with.”

I hope it’s all figured out by then. Hayden must be thinking the same thing, because her green eyes go dark. “Gigi...”

“Hey, look at the time.” I’m going to start crying if she gets emotional. “What about that flight?”

“I don’t want to leave until Cole and Leo get over here.” Her tone leaves no room for arguing, and I wasn’t planning on it, either. Even though I know they’re all on the other side of the duplex, so I wouldn’treallybe alone, I’ll feel safer with one of them here with me.

We couldn’t exactly show up at the same time, so the Blade and Arrow guys arrived yesterday. Their cover story is that they’re starting an IT management business, and most of their work will be done from home.

When Leo explained it over the phone yesterday, I have to admit I was impressed. They have business cards, decals for their cars, extra computers to take in and out of the house, even references if someone calls to look into them. The one thing is that they don’t exactlylooklike computer nerds, but since Leo is Blade and Arrow’s actual computer expert, he certainly proves the stereotype wrong.

As if I summoned him, the door between the two sides of the duplex swings open and Leo walks through, followed by Cole and Rylan.

Leo walks over to me, stopping a few feet away. His eyes turn a liquid green-gold as they look at me, his brows pulling down over them. “How are you doing, Georgia? Was the trip here alright?”

If it hadn’t been, Hayden would have called him immediately, but I just nod and say, “I’m okay. The trip was fine.”

Wow. I’m a real wordsmith here.But when I look at Leo, my brain seems to split in two directions. Half wants to meet his gaze, smile at him, make actual conversation. But the other half wants to duck away, hide so he can’t see my face.

“Have you had a chance to look around?” Leo pulls his gaze from me, and I let out a tiny breath of relief.

“Not really.”Okay, say more words. “Hayden and I were talking, so I haven’t checked out the place yet.” I flick a look at Hayden. “But she has to leave soon to catch her flight.”

Hayden rolls her eyes at my unspoken message, and it’s like we’re back in high school again, laughing over guys and meaningless gossip. “Yes,” she says. “I’m leaving, but I just wanted to make sure G was all set first.”

Rylan and Cole give me nods and quiet hellos before heading over to one of the living room couches. Leo gestures for me to go ahead of him, and I take a seat on the couch opposite. Once Hayden and Leo are sitting, Leo starts, “Just a few things to go over—we talked about most of it the other day.”

He crosses one muscled leg over the other, and I can’t ignore how the fabric of his jeans clings to them.Stop it. I give myself a mental slap. He’s here to protect me, not for me to stare at him.

“So, we’ll be on a rotating schedule.” Leo glances between Rylan and Cole, then over at me. “Each of us will be with you for eight hours, and the other two will be rotating between surveillance and sleep. Basically, we’ll have eyes on the camerasandyou the entire day.”

Wait, what? “Allthe time?”

Rylan chuckles, and Leo’s lips spread into a grin. “Notallthe time, Georgia. We’ll give you privacy, obviously. But we’ll always be right nearby, one room over, that sort of thing.”

“Okay.” I can feel my cheeks flushing. “Sorry if that was a dumb question.”

“It wasn’t,” Cole answers. “Always ask questions if you aren’t sure. And something else, make sure to always leave the doors unlocked so we can get to you. Not that we’re expecting trouble, but it’s better to be safe…”

I nod at him. “Got it. No locked doors.”

“And we have to keep the blinds shut.” Leo looks at me apologetically. “I know it’s not ideal, but we don’t want anyone seeing that we’re over here.”

“It’s okay, I understand.” Something strikes me, a question I hadn’t thought of until now. “If I’m not supposed to be seen with any of you, and I’m not supposed to be alone, I guess that means no going outside, either?”

“Yes.” Leo’s golden brows go down, and he runs his hand through his hair. “I’m sorry, Georgia. I know it’s nice out, and it sucks to be stuck inside, but it’s the only way to keep you totally safe.”

“Won’t that seem suspicious?” Hayden leans forward, fixing her gaze on Leo. “For someone to move in and never to leave? Not even to go to the store? Or out in the yard?”

“It might to the average person,” Leo answers. “But to the person who’s been stalking Georgia, they’re going to know exactly why she isn’t coming out of her house.”

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