Page 87 of Adoring Delaney

“All of my bills are paid electronically. I don’t get paper bills.”

“I know that.”

And I did, I’d been the one to set everything up for her, because during the school year, she often forgot when her bills were due. It wasn’t because she was irresponsible, but she was busy, grading papers, and organizing lesson plans. Not even her triple calendars helped remind her, especially during testing months when she was focused on her students.

“So I didn’t collect the mail until today when the mailman knocked on the door and told me he couldn’t shove anything else in. That was in there. I opened it.”

“Okay.”

She was silent for a moment then said, “I shouldn’t have. I should’ve called you or Ethan.”

Ethan? Why would she call my brother?

Done waiting, I picked up the paper and the moment my eyes landed on the angry block letters I understood why she’d mentioned Ethan. Him being my brother wasn’t why she should’ve called, being a police officer was the reason.

I scanned the note and with each sentence my blood boiled.

“Call Ethan,” I clipped.

“But we touched it.”

“Doesn’t matter. This is fucked. We need to file a police report.”

“Okay.”

Her defeated whisper was my undoing. “Come here, Laney.”

I tossed the vile message back on the table and she stepped into my arms, wrapping both of hers around my middle.

“Everything’s gonna be okay.”

“But it says—”

“Don’t give a fuck what it says. You’re safe. I’m safe. Nothing’s gonna happen.”

“But—”

“Laney baby, listen to me. No one is going to hurt me.”

I heard her sniffle and felt her nod. She didn’t believe me.

I pulled my phone from my back pocket and called my brother. He told me he’d be right over and I made one more call.

“Yo,” Jasper answered.

“Listen, I need you to come over. Call my dad, Levi, and Clark. Need all four of you.”

“Delaney safe?”

“Yes, need you all on the double.”

“Be there in ten.”

I shoved my phone back into my pocket, not having the opportunity to say goodbye because all I had was dead air. Jasper was a man of few words, fewer when shit needed to get done.

“I don’t even know what to say.” Delaney fisted the back of my tee, stretching the material. “Who would send me that?”

“Don’t know, but we’re gonna find out.”

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