Page 25 of Tapped

I shake my head. “It’s been months. It was bad, but I finally turned a corner and got past it. It took Chase longer. It’s only been in the last few weeks that I can drive on a freeway again without him freaking out.”

“Evie.” My name is a demand on his lips. When I turn to look at him, he’s still holding my gun as he closes the distance between us. “What accident are you talking about?”

“I was in a car wreck. It was bad, but it could have been so much worse. I didn’t need the police to tell me how much worse it could have been. Something happened to my car on the freeway. It locked up … my brakes, the power, even the steering … everything just shut down. I lost all control. If it weren’t for a group of construction barrels to cushion the impact, I would’ve gone over the edge. I’m sure of it. I spent four days in the hospital. Chase lived through it with only some cuts and bruises, but emotionally he was not okay. I was unconscious when EMS got to the scene. He was pinned in his car seat. It was traumatic for him. He’d have an anxiety attack if I drove on the highway.”

“You don’t think it was an accident?”

I pull in a deep breath before answering on an exhale. “I don’t know. Today has been too much. I just now put it together. Investigators finally ruled it an electrical issue with the car. I was just happy to be alive. I replaced it with the safest SUV I could find and focused on Chase.”

“Did investigators look for foul play?”

“They mentioned it. My family wanted me to push it with the manufacturer, but I literally didn’t have it in me. Recovering from the crash wasn’t easy. Jeff didn’t have the patience for any of it—me or Chase. It was easier to move on and be grateful we were alive.”

Micah hikes a brow and deadpans, “Convenient for Jeff.”

“So I’m not crazy to think it might not have been an accident?”

“No, Evie. You’re not crazy. I’ll find the police reports and look into it.”

I drag a hand up the back of my neck to relieve some of the tension. “I’ll mention it to Andrew tomorrow.”

“Who’s Andrew?”

“My brother. He’s the lead attorney for BioNova and arranged for the guard through their security department. He’s not going to be happy that guy fell asleep on the job.”

“I took a picture. You know, for shits and giggles.”

“I never would’ve known had you not driven by. Thank you. You really don’t have to stay. I should be fine with the security system—and I have a gun.”

“Yeah, the gun. If you promise to give your gunslinging a break for one night so I don’t have to worry about you accidentally shooting me or yourself, I’ll stay.”

I purse my lips. I should send him home. He made it clear earlier today this was not part of his job.

He rolls his eyes as if he can read my mind. “I’m already here. By the time I get home, I’ll barely get a few hours of sleep. I’ll stay, Evie. If you want to kick me out, I guess you can call the cops.”

I huff a lame laugh. “I feel bad. You made it very clear that I’ve ruined your day as it is.”

“Only feel bad if you keep fucking around with that gun when you have no clue what you’re doing.”

“That’s fair,” I agree. “I have no clue what I’m doing.”

“Lock it up, so it’s not sitting out in the morning when your son gets up. I’ll be out front.”

He turns for the door, and something comes over me. “Wait.”

He turns back and frowns.

I do everything I can to bite back the damn emotions that have been nipping at me all day. I wonder if this is what it feels like to be at a breaking point.

I pull in a deep breath, push away my tears, and motion to the family room. “There’s no need to sit in your car. Seriously, make yourself comfortable.”

“The government pays me to sit in my car for hours on surveillance.” He glances at his watch. “It’s less than six hours.”

“I feel guilty enough that you’re here and—”

“I’m good in my car, Evie. It’s not a big deal.”

I shake my head and can’t help the words that spurt from my mouth. “Please, Micah. Don’t make me beg. Stay in the house.”

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