Page 21 of Sheltered By Love

Chapter Four

Felicity

In the early morning light, sitting in his kitchen, Zane looks more than a little put out at my stupid suggestion.

I don’t know why I even said it out loud.

Maybe because I’m exhausted and sick of feeling isolated now Mrs. Davis has moved and Nicki says she won’t need to come around as often.

Or maybe it’s because one of the brothers was considerate enough to feed Roger.

I’m too tired to care about why I said it, all I want is to go home, make sure nothing was taken, take a long hot shower, and sleep all day.

As Zane grunts his reluctant acceptance of his fate, his brother rises from his feet and offers me a cordial smile.

“It looks like whoever was at the kitchen door was just checking things out. We haven’t found any signs of a break-in.”

I stifle a sob, relieved I won’t have to contact my insurance company as Garrett smiles kindly.

“I know it’s been a long night, but I’m going to need to take your statement.”

I nod and drag myself over to the table Mrs. Davis and I used to share pots of tea at.

“I’m not sure I can tell you anything that’ll be helpful,” I say.

While Zane is simmering away beside me, his brother Garrett smiles his encouragement. “Just tell me what made you run over here.”

I blush as I retell what I suspect Zane has already gone over with him. But he takes down every word I say, tight-lipped, concentrating on what I’m describing without interrupting.

When I’m done, he puts his notepad away and gets to his feet, and graces me with a weary smile. “I’ll be in touch with you both. You have my card if you need me.”

After a handshake with Zane, he exits by the back door leaving me with the less cordial of the Reid brothers.

He glances at me and sighs loudly. “You look like you’re going to ask a lot of questions.”

I ignore the sarcasm and frown. “So, how does this work, you just sleep at my house?”

He looks everywhere but at me. “It might take more than that. Garrett thinks, and I agree, you may have been targeted. “

All the blood runs straight to my toes. “What are you saying? You’re not just going to be sleeping at my house?”

He covers a yawn, making me yawn along with him. “I want to monitor your incoming business calls and emails. It’s what the PD would do if they had the resources.”

“What? Why?”

“Because we have no way of knowing if they saw you or not. And if they contact you, we might be able to catch them.”

This just keeps getting worse. “What makes you think they’ll contact me?”

His eyebrow cocks. “I need to get some sleep, and so do you. Let me lock up and I’ll come over.”

“That’s not neces—”

“It is. Garrett would never say this, but he can’t rule out the possibility they might be watching the street.”

“That’s why you asked me if I knew the routines of our neighbors?”

He gives me a clipped nod as he gets to his feet. “Let me grab a few things, make sure everything’s locked up, and we’ll go through the gate. The fewer people see me, the better.”

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