Page 105 of I'll Keep Her Safe

Who woulddothis?

I reread the message, my stomach roiling as I take in the photo of me and Poppy on the beach, and the words:Thought you should know that Poppy is fucking your dad. It was sent from an unknown number, and realization hits me like a bucket of cold water.

I whip my gaze up to Poppy. “It was him, wasn’t it?”

“I think so.” She grimaces. “He must have hacked my phone.”

“That motherfucker,” I spit, rising from the bed, stalking back and forth across the room as dread and fury battle inside me. I don’t know what to respond to first, that Bailey knows about us, or thatKurtis the one who made it happen.

“I’m sorry.” Poppy’s eyes are wide with worry. “I swear, I didn’t send that picture to anyone.”

I shake my head, stopping to take her chin and tilt her face to mine. “Of course you didn’t, baby. I trust you. Don’t you dare apologize for whathe’sdone.” Sucking in a deep breath, I try to calm down. I can deal with Kurt later; the bigger issue is making sure Bailey’s okay. I crumple onto the bed beside Poppy, heaving out a weary breath. “Why didn’t Bailey messageme?”

“I don’t know. Maybe she was embarrassed?”

“Maybe,” I mumble, but I’m not convinced. I promised Bailey I would keep Poppy safe, that I’d look after her, and from where Bailey’s sitting it probably looks like I did the complete opposite. Looks like I took advantage of her friend when she was vulnerable. Hell, I had those worries myself.

Poppy saws her teeth across her bottom lip, petting Sugar. “We can’t even call her because she’ll be on her flight for the next five and a half hours.”

Shit, she’s right. And then Bailey will be in San Francisco. I can try to contact her then, but what if she doesn’t take my call? What if I don’t get the chance to explain the truth of the situation?

As if reading my mind, Poppy turns to me. “You need to fly out there, Wyatt. You need to see her and explain.”

“Weshould fly out there,” I say, but Poppy shakes her head.

“I think this needs to come from you. She’s heard my side of things. Besides…” She glances down at the cat. “Someone needs to be here to look after Sugar.”

I mull this over as I exhale slowly. While I get the sense she’s mostly saying that because she wants to avoid the confrontation, maybe she’s right. Maybe it would be better coming from me. Especially because I sense thatI’mthe one Bailey’s really upset with.

“Okay,” I agree, pulling out my phone. I check for flights, deciding the best time to arrive will probably be when Bailey’s finished work for the day tomorrow. Once I’ve booked a last-minute seat on a flight, I toss my phone aside, dropping my head into my hands.

“It’s going to be okay,” Poppy murmurs, reaching out to touch me, then withdrawing her hand. When I glance across, her expression is uncertain, almost as if she’s not sure where she stands with me. It’s like a punch to the heart.

“Come here.” I haul her into my arms, and just feeling her warmth and softness against me soothes the ache in my chest. “This changes nothing between you and me. Nothing.”

“Are you sure?” she asks in a small voice, and I draw away to study her face. Her espresso-brown eyes are sad, scarlet lips turned down. I lower my mouth to hers, kissing her softly.

“I’m sure,” I say, my voice gruff with emotion. “I love you, baby. We’ll get through this.”

She lets out a long, tired sigh, nestling against me. “I hope so. I can’t stand the thought of losing her.”

“We won’t lose her,” I murmur, though I’m not sure whether I’m trying to reassure Poppy or myself.

“I can’t believe Kurt would go this far.” Poppy’s tone takes on the sharp edge of anger. “He crossed a line this time.” She sits up, expression hard in a way I’ve never seen. “I have to do something about him.”

My jaw tightens. He’s crossed a linemanytimes, but I suddenly understand why she’s let it go before. In the past, Kurt only hurt her, but this time his actions have hurt the people she loves. While in my mind hurting her wasmorethan enough reason to stand up to him, I’m glad she’s finally had enough.

Poppy reaches for her phone. “I’m texting Violet. It’s time to put Kurt in his place once and for all.”

“It sure is,” I agree darkly. “But use my phone. Just in case.”

She nods, taking my phone to message Violet. Despite the dire situation, I can’t help but feel a swell of satisfaction. We’re going to make that prick pay—in more ways than one. I’ll make sure he gives back every cent he stole from Poppy, and that he never bothers her again.

Poppy squares her shoulders as she sets my phone aside. “Done. I’m not putting up with any more of his shit.”

I gaze at her admiringly. “Good girl.”

Her eyes flare with heat at my words, but it quickly flickers out, and I’m relieved. Neither of us is in the mood to have sex, not after the events of this evening.

---