Page 145 of Three Reckless Words

I don’t want to ruin the moment with thoughts of Rina.

His phone buzzes beside him, though, and he frowns, reaching to look at it and accept the call.

“Hello?”

The voice buzzes on the other end of the line.

Then his face settles into hard edges and grim lines. I know whatever he’s hearing must be bad news. Nothing good ever makes someone’s face age in an instant.

“Okay, yes. We’ll be there,” he clips. Brisk, professional, emotionless.

He hangs up abruptly and I slide out of his arms.

“What is it?”

“That was my maintenance boss. He was called out to Solitude this morning by one of his crew,” Archer says slowly, holding my gaze. “He says there’s been some damage.”

“Damage? What kind?” My heart catapults and lands in my throat.

“He said we should see it for ourselves, Winnie. Let’s get cleaned up and go.”

18

SWARM BEFORE A STORM (ARCHER)

Well, fuck.

I’m staring at a disaster that has me stunned. It’s like a whole pack of ferocious Pooh bears hit the bee boxes in search of honey, tearing apart every last one of them.

There’s wood scattered everywhere, bits of purple honey splattering the ground, pieces of honeycomb littering the flower beds.

Before I have time to process the massacre properly, Winnie throws herself at me, burying her face in my chest.

“Who… who would do this?Who?” she demands between sobs. Her whole body shakes.

Only Winnie Emberly could get this emotional over a few destroyed beehives, but honestly, she has good reason this time.

The police officers who showed up just before us are still poking through the debris, but I already know the verdict.

Nothing.

No clear evidence.

Whoever did thisknewthe property was empty. They knew there was no one else around to worry about.

They were also savvy enough to use gloves and not leave any obvious prints or DNA around, even in the unlikely event this went up the forensics’ chain.

Still, there’s no denying it’s a targeted attack.

I just don’t fucking get it.

There’s plenty on this property that’s far more valuable to destroy, if someone came here with an axe to swing against me.

Hell, the whole damn cottage, for starters.

Yet, it looks like it’s been left untouched. The doors are securely shut; there’s not even a smudge on any windows.

The bee boxes, on the other hand—some hyperactive little perp sledgehammered them to pieces.

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