Page 17 of Sheltered By Love

When I answer it, I flip on my back and rub the sleep from my eyes. “This can’t be good.”

“It’s not. There’s been another break-in a block over. This time they targeted a house with an alarm.”

I curse as I sit up in bed. “That makes no sense.”

“You’re telling me.”

Now fully awake, I smother a yawn and throw the covers off me. “The owner didn’t see anyone, did they?”

“She was out. They got in through the back, and they were fast. Took a few antiques. They knew exactly what they were looking for and where to find them.”

I stumble toward the kitchen I still need to clean. “Any prints?”

“Nope.”

“Might be time to rethink that neighborhood watch.”

“Maybe. It’s risky.”

I open the refrigerator and frown when I see the bulb must have blown. I grab a carton of milk and set it on the kitchen table.

“I’ll ask Levi and Ja—”

I freeze, listening, barely breathing as I strain to hear over the sound of the rain outside.

I back up, and with my eyes on the back door, ease the bread bin open, and pull out one of the numerous guns I’ve stashed around the place.

I keep my voice just about a whisper. “Stay on the line. Someone’s trying to get in.”

Garrett doesn’t reply. He’s too smart to. But I know he’ll be right there if I need him.

I push the speaker on, turn the volume up and flip it over so the light won’t be visible, and leave it on the table.

As quietly as I can I step to one side so whoever makes it in won’t see me.

I fill my lungs so I can hold my breath as the door opens and closes just as my intruder speaks. “Ittt’s okkkay now Rrrrroger. We’re s,s,safe,” a feminine voice says.

I growl as I step closer and see Felicity. “What the hell!?”

She’s shivering so much, that I can barely make out what she’s saying. “At the back door, someone wearing a s,s,scary mask was l,l,looking in at me,” she manages.

I switch gears instantly, snatching the phone off the table as I relay the info to Garrett. “At least one is around back at our old place. Wearing a Halloween mask. Felicity’s here with me.”

“I heard her. Already on my way. Stay with her.”

“They’ll be long gone by the time you get here. I’ll—”

“No, you won’t! We don’t know what we’re dealing with. Stay there and make sure she stays safe.”

He silences any further discussion by ending the call. As I smash my fist down on the table and yell in frustration, the rodent leaps out of her arms and takes off into the house.

I round on her, pissed at feeling so utterly useless when it’s my house these SOBs are breaking into.

“What is wrong with you?”

Her chin wobbles as she hugs her arms around herself. “The power went out. The alarm wasn’t working, I had a key, and I knew you had a gun. Where else was I supposed to go?”

Did she just say the power was out? How’d I miss that?

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