Page 26 of Shared By 3

“Okay, so it has to be someone who knows all the things. That’s a few people. Someone who also knows Chase was promoted – kind of obvious if the internet is involved. I think the XOXO could be a distraction, just like the lack of first names. But the language is direct. I think it’s a more masculine person ... or smart self-editing. There has to be a way to cross-reference lists and narrow the suspects,” Valerie says.

She keeps mumbling in circles, repeating things again and again until our father looks at us. Lief comes in a moment later and clears his throat to announce himself. “Valerie, you’ve been awake since six this morning.”

“I had a nap,” she grumbles.

“Please, pet,” Lief asks.

She turns to glower at him–not the reaction I predicted. She opens her mouth, points at him, then takes a slow breath. “I’m focusing on the issue at hand.”

“You always say sleep or breaks can jog the mind,” I remind her.

She glances at each of us, nods once, then takes my hand. “You and me.”

“What?” I ask. “What about?”

“Go, I’ll cross reference with Lief and our father. I can’t think of anything we need the computer for now,” Hunter insists.

Lief says nothing, but I swear I see a trace of sadness in his eyes. It’s not the first time Valerie has chosen one of us, but consider her response to him. Something is going on. I catch Hunter’s eyes and nod my head to Lief.

He rolls his eyes, but gives me one nod.

I lead Valerie upstairs to the room I used to use. She walks in, strips down to her panties and holds her hand out. I watch her. “What’s with you and Lief?”

“I’m not focusing on that. I need to focus on keeping you and Hunter safe and making sure your father is at our wedding. Everything else will work itself out. Shirt please,” she asks.

I take off my button up, toss it to the side, then give her my t-shirt. Valerie pulls it on and closes her eyes as she sits on the bed. I shed my shoes, socks, and pants before lying with her. She’s tense.

Pulling her into my arms, I kiss the top of her head. “You’ve known us for a while, baby doll.”

“Yes,” she agrees.

“In that time, what Mafia business has happened?”

“I found out you three were dangerous mafia men. Lief and Sven chased me. Sven kidnapped me. I got free. You killed him. Stefan entered our life. You guys had me read his body language and give you feedback. You trusted me to meet him in person twice. He was shot in front of me ... so were you,” she murmurs, shifting to hug me. “I don’t like this game, Chase.”

“Then, our mother came back into our life, you kicked our aunt’s ass with your mental prowess when she stole you. You saved Hunter’s life and nursed him back to health. Along the way, you’ve befriended the women who used to terrify me, you’ve gained our father’s respect, you completed your doctorate, dealt with your own parents, and we’re all here, alive, together,” I say.

She wraps her leg around me. “What’s the point of talking about all this?”

“This has been my life since I was eighteen. Hunter’s been in this craziness since he was ... fifteen or sixteen. Lief has been involved since he was twenty. We are strongest together. Do you think a death threat or .... multiple is going to hurt us?” I ask.

She looks up at me and strokes my cheek as her brow furrows. “I don’t wantanythingto hurt you, Chase. You deserve more than clinging to every day expecting it to be your last. You, Hunter, and Lief all deserve that, even if I’m not thrilled with Lief at the moment.”

“With you in our life, we’re going togetmore than that, baby doll. You’ll make sure of it. You help us more than you know, do so much to support us, encourage us, to give us more of a reason to think than to rush into battle. We’re going to survive this,” I say.

She looks up at me and sucks her bottom lip. “I love you, Chase.”

“Almost as much as I love you, Valerie.”

TEN

Valerie

My alarm goesoff and Chase groans. “Five more minutes.”

“The deadline is-”

Chase rolls on top of me, pulling me tightly against him. He strokes along my side until he cups my breast. He squeezes gently. “Five more minutes.”

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