Page 20 of Saved from Obsession

Something flickers across Leo’s hazel gaze, then he stands and says, “I’ll go make you some tea. And there might be a flask of whiskey around here somewhere. Put a shot in the tea and that will help you go back to sleep.”

What I really would like is for Leo to stay here next to me. When his arms were around me, that’s the safest I’ve felt since everything started. But I can’t tell him that, obviously. So instead, I curl into the corner of the couch and say quietly, “Okay, Leo. Thanks.”

CHAPTERSEVEN

LEO

When the security camera at the front door goes off, every muscle in my body tenses.

I arrived for my evening shift with Georgia just a few minutes ago, and Rylan is about to head over to the other side of the duplex when we hear it—the sound snapping us both to attention. Rylan’s eyes meet mine from across the room—no words are needed for a situation like this. After all the years we’ve worked together, we’re able to communicate through a series of short nods and glances.

He takes off toward the door to the other side of the duplex while I move to Georgia’s side, quickly guiding her out of the living room and into the small first floor hallway. She doesn’t say anything, but her blue eyes are wide and startled—when I tuck her behind me, I can feel her trembling.

“Do you think it’s him?” Her voice is a hushed whisper.

“I don’t know.” Opening the security camera app, I rewind the recording to watch a man cautiously approaching the house and leaving a package in front of the door. The man isn’t hiding his face, which makes me think if thisisthe stalker, he isn’t very intelligent.

Reaching behind me to pat Georgia’s arm, I say, “Rylan went to the other side, and he’ll pursue the guy from there. We have cameras recording all up and down the street, so we’ll definitely catch him. Then we can find out who he is and what he’s doing here.”

Georgia presses against my back, breathing fast, her breaths hot on my shoulder. I wish I could turn around and hold her, reassure her everything will be okay, but my priority isn’t to comfort, but to protect her. And until we know who the person at the door is and the contents of the package, I have to assume the situation could be dangerous.

Watching back through more of the security footage, I see Rylan pull out of the driveway, heading in the same direction the other man went. I know Rylan will catch the guy, but whether the information he gets is useful is another story.

A few minutes tick by in silence while I wait for the okay to move. While I could clear the house myself, that’s not my designated role in our trio. Rylan is the one to give pursuit of any external threat, Cole will check the house, and my job is to keep Georgia safe.

“It’s all clear around the house.” Cole comes into the hallway, having left his surveillance station on the other side of the duplex.

“No sign of an intruder or any tampering with the doors or windows,” he adds. “The only thing left behind is the package.” Turning, he heads back toward the living room. As he walks, he says, “We’ll get the package inside and I’ll scan it for explosives, but my guess is it’s clean.”

“I think you’re right.” I put an arm around Georgia and pull her next to me as I follow Cole out of the hall. “The way the guy was handling the package, it would have exploded already.”

Cole muses. “Unless it’s on a timer, of course.”

Georgia jerks against me, sucking in a shocked breath. “I’m sure it’s not,” I tell her, shooting Cole a what-are-you-doing look. “There are too many variables to use a timer. I’m sure it’s something else.”

We come to a stop in the center of the living room, Cole facing Georgia and me. Cole starts to say something to Georgia, but our phones both buzz in unison—when I look down at the message, I see it’s from Rylan. “He got the guy,” I relay to Georgia, “Rylan has him in his car and is headed someplace quiet to question him.”

Which means Rylan is going to find a remote spot with no people around and no cameras, and use some creative techniques to convince the other man to spill everything. Not torture—we won’t stoop that low—but Rylan can be very intimidating if he wants to be.

When our phones buzz again less than a minute later, Cole gives a low whistle. “That was quick.” He glances down at the message. “The guy doesn’t know what’s in the package. Said it was given to him last night, and he agreed to drop it off in exchange for drugs and some cash.”

“Shit.” I bite out the curse, hating the pained look that ripples across Georgia’s face. I think part of her was hoping it was all innocent—that it didn’t have to do with her stalker—even though shehadto know that it did.

“Georgia.” Cole turns toward her, his voice calm and commanding. “We’re going to need you to get the package and bring it inside. Quick and smooth. You’ll have to get it, unfortunately—if Leo or I do it, it’ll give away that we’re here with you.”

Dammit. I know he’s right, but the idea of her exposed, picking up a mystery box with God-knows-what inside of it? I don’t like it one bit.

“Okay.” Her voice wobbles. “What if—“ mouth snapping shut, she presses her lips together tightly before continuing. “Never mind. I’ll do it.” Her eyes flicker to mine, fear darkening them to a deep sapphire.

After a few more instructions, Georgia heads to the front door, her shoulders high and tight with stress. After a deep breath, she opens the door and carefully slides the box inside. Then she slams the door back shut and nearly leaps away from the box, scooting back until she’s back behind me.

“Are you okay?” I ask in a low tone, turning my head to look at her.

“Yeah.” Her cheeks turn slightly pink. “I can’t believe I’m this scared of a stupid box.”

“There’s nothing to be scared of, Georgia.” I tilt my head at Cole, who’s now using an explosive trace detection wand to look for any residue on the outside of the package. When that comes back clear, he waves a small metal detector around the cardboard box, searching for possible bomb components.

“Looks fine, as we thought. We should be good to open it.” Cole inclines his head towards Georgia. “You need to go back into the kitchen while we do this.”

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