Page 64 of Four-ever Single

“Whoever it is, they’re determined. I don’t think they’re going to stop until they get whatever they want.” Nate shook his head and pushed away from the table.

“But what is that?” I growled, my frustration mounting. “I swear to God if they do anything to hurt her—”

“They won’t. We won’t let them.” Capshaw grabbed the papers, looking over them again.

We had all been through them at least a dozen times already, hoping that something would finally stand out and give us a clue as to who this was.

“I’m home this week, so I can watch her like a hawk, not let her out of my sight.” I nodded, feeling like this gave me the control I needed.

“I was thinking,” Capshaw said slowly, eyeing me cautiously before he spoke. “I think you should come back to work tomorrow.

“No. No fucking way.” I shook my head vehemently.

“Hear me out—they’re going to do whatever they’re going to do—there’s no stopping someone who is this determined. But the sooner things return to normal, the sooner it will happen. They’re not going to be stupid enough to make a move while you’re here with her.”

“No!” I locked eyes with him, challenging him to change his mind.

“It’s not a bad idea,” Nate agreed, raising his eyebrows when I pinned him with an ice-cold glare. “Look, I know it’s not what you want to hear. Trust me, I would lose my shit if something like this happened to Abby. But Capshaw is right. He’s not going to make a move until he thinks you’re out of the way. He already knows her routine—he’s made that much clear. The sooner things go back to how they should be, the sooner he’ll fuck up and do something.”

“I’ve missed him twice while I’ve been out in public with Bella,” I objected. “You’re telling me you think she will be safer with me not around to help her? That’s the stupidest fucking thing I’ve ever heard.”

“Neither of us could find the guy that night, Jones. He’s that good at hiding. I think the only way we’re going to get ahead of this is to make him think he’s in control when he’s not.”

“Who’s to say it’s even the same guy? It’s a different email address, and you said Bella mentioned that she gets creepy comments from guys often. We could be dealing with two different guys.”

“Exactly. And this one knew what she was doing. He’s fucking watching her somehow in a place where she should feel safe. If I go back to work and leave Bella here by herself, how am I going to protect her?”

“You’re not,” Lia said, coming through the front door. “By the way, your window is open so the whole fucking neighborhood can hear you. Good job, GI Joe.”

“What are you doing here? Aren’t you supposed to be at work?” Capshaw said, folding his arms and studying his little sister.

“Yes, but Doctor Dickface let me leave early since there was a family emergency.” She rolled her eyes.

“It’s not an emergency,” Capshaw objected, but she lifted her hand to stop him.

“I know you guys are married now, but you live further from the city than I do and don’t have neighbors close by. She’s safer living with me for a while until this is handled. We have thin walls and nosey neighbors. If anything happens, they’ll call it in.” Lia sighed heavily, her eyes pleading with me.

Forty

Bella

“It feels weird to be here,” I admitted, dropping my duffle bag on the floor in what used to be/was still my bedroom. “These past two weeks have been insane, and I feel like I don’t even know which way is up at this point.”

“You’re telling me. I don’t even know what our house looks like anymore. I’ve already gotten used to living at the hospital,” Lia said, plopping down on the bed.

“When do you go back?”

“Tomorrow morning. I have to be there before seven to catch up on the stuff I missed leaving early today. Mostly just some paperwork, but nothing urgent. Doctor Dickhead was surprisingly kind about taking care of that for me instead.”

“Maybe he likes you?”

“Please.” She rolled her eyes dramatically. “That man doesn’t like anything. He’s the grumpiest person I’ve ever met.”

“Besides you?” I teased, giggling as I ducked to avoid the pillow she tossed at my head.

“Hey, I have a good excuse for it. I’m sleep-deprived and haven’t gotten laid in—I don’t even know how long now. It’s like a drought down there, Bella. We need to call in federal aid to send some relief before there’s a brush fire.”

“I don’t think that’s how it works.” I scrunched my nose. “But I could see if maybe Jones can get one of the other guys to spray you down with the hose.”

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