Page 85 of Haven

Clearly having been dismissed, the detectives move to the door. “Thank you, Mrs. Kingston. We’ll look into Myerson. See if we can find anything. In the meantime, my advice to you is be careful. Be aware. Don’t put yourself in any unnecessary situations.”

“Thanks, detective. We appreciate it.” Ashlyn escorts them out, then hugs Lindy. “Honey, can you go upstairs for a little bit while we figure some things out?”

Lindy wipes her eyes. “Sure. But you know I’m just going to listen from up there.”

“I know. But humor me while I have a mental breakdown, and don’t make me do it in front of you, okay?” She grabs Lindy’s shoulders and guides her to the stairs, then waits for her to go into her room before turning to face us. “You.” She points at me. “I told you that in confidence. Not so you could discuss it with two cops, giving them free rein to put it in official reports that could be leaked at any point.”

“Baby.” I cross the room and wrap my arms around her, and her first sob breaks me. “Let it out. I’ve got you, and I’m not going anywhere.”

Her shoulders shake, and she lets it out.

The fear. The hurt. The anger.

“I’ve got you,” I tell her softly as I look over her head at Sam, who’s messaging someone on his phone. The look he gives me tells me he knows I want this man found, then gives me a nearly unnoticeable dip of his chin. He gets it.

Ashlyn cries until she’s got nothing left in her, then tucks her face under my chin. “You’ve got a job, Brandon. And so do I. Lindy has school and training. What are we supposed to do? Stop living our lives? That’s letting this sick fuck win. And I refuse to do that. He does not control me or my life.”

I move us over to the couch and pull her down on my lap.

Needing to feel her close to me.

“It’s not permanent, Ashlyn. Just till we figure out what the fuck is going on.” I tuck a lock of hair behind her ear and cup her face. “We need to make sure you and Lindy are safe.”

“I’m putting a man on you 24/7 until this is over,” Sam informs us. Ashlyn immediately starts to argue, but he cuts her off. “Ashlyn.Stop. I didn’t push it before, but it’s time. This guy is escalating. He got close to Madeline.”

“Sam,” she pleads.

“You’re my family too, Ashlyn. You and the teenage troublemaker upstairs. And I protect what’s mine.” Then he looks over at me, that same understanding passing between us. “That goes for all three of you.”

Another sob catches in her throat. “If you put a bodyguard on me, can I still live my life? What about Lindy?”

“Lindy needs someone too,” I answer her, and Sam agrees.

“Sam...” Scarlet doesn’t look impressed. “Are you sure we shouldn’t hire a professional? Someone who does this for a living?”

“No.” I turn Ashlyn’s face to mine. “Do you trust Sam?”

“Yes,” she whispers and wipes her cheeks, then looks at Sam. “I’m trusting you with the most important thing in the world to me, Sam. If you tell me she’ll be safe with one of your guys, I believe you.”

“I’m pulling one of my best guys and putting him on Lindy. His name’s Marco, and he’s been on Amelia’s bodyguard rotation for years. She’s still home on maternity leave, so it won’t be a big deal.” Then he looks at his phone and grins. “And my cousin, Dean, just agreed to be on you during the day. We’ll rotate guys out for the overnight shifts.”

“Sam...” Ashlyn sighs. “I don’t have room for another person to sleep here.”

“You don’t need room. Dix will be inside the house with you and Madeline, and my guys won’t be sleeping.”

Scarlet cuts in. “Dix has games.”

“Put me on the injured reserve list,” I tell her.

Ashlyn stands up, glaring at all of us, suddenly switching from upset to full-on pissed. “The fuck she will, Brandon Dixon. This is your last season playing. You aren’t missing a single goddamned game to play bodyguard to me. I’ll have bodyguards, so will Lindy. We’re all going to work and school like we normally would, got me?”

“Ashlyn...” I hold her face in my hands. “Baby, it’s not worth taking the chance that something will happen to you or Lindy.”

“Nothing is going to happen to us. Right, Sam?” My girl is refusing to accept anything less, and I’m so fucking proud, watching her stand strong and determined.

That’s the fight we need, baby.

“Nothing,” Sam promises.

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