Page 30 of Leif

I scanned the tree line again, feeling suddenly uneasy. I’d put out the word on the strong man, but nobody had come across him yet. He could be anywhere. But I doubted he’d be here, watching us. Why? I mean, what would he have against us, specifically? He’d escaped. No doubt he was far, far away.

I walked inside. Hitch smiled at me from the couch, and I smiled back.

“You finally going to tell her how you feel?” he asked.

“You shush. The adults are going to be talking.” We’d settled into a playful place, but he’d confided a lot in me, and we’d grown pretty damn close over the course of a week. I could tell myself we were a family; it sure felt like we were.

“That’s rude. Adults, these days.” He went back to his book, and my smile widened as I went back into the bedroom.

I caught sight of Mel wrapped up in a towel and moved in close to pull her into a hug while her back was turned. She melted into me and relaxed her head on my shoulder.

“How was your bath?” I asked, pressing a kiss to her cheek.

“Would have been better with you.” She blinked up at me, a sleepy, sexy smile on her lips.

I opened my mouth to tell her that I was in love with her, but the words wouldn’t come.

15

Mel

It’s all my fault!

Ryder’s text didn’t touch the cold forming around my heart.

I just didn’t have the strength to be annoyed that he was making this about him or that he was playing the victim. I was the one that was fired, not him.

I was fired.

The words still didn’t sound real.

This was all a bad dream, and I was going to wake up soon, right?

Leif’s arm came around me, and he held me close. I just sat on the edge of the bed with my phone in my lap as I tried to muster up the strength to respond to Ryder as if my soul wasn’t completely crushed.

I got fired.

This had to be a cruel joke. I mean, I knew I’d screwed up, but I was a good officer.

I lifted my phone a bit, grateful for Leif’s warmth as he held me. My thumb traced a message for Ryder.It’s not your fault. I’ll be fine.

His response was almost instant.What are you going to do?

WhatwasI going to do?

Look for another job, I guess.Maybe go back to school. Or I could move back to be closer to my parents.

I shoved that thought away. I didn’t want to admit defeat and move back home.

Anyway, I have some things to do. Thanks for checking in on me. I didn’t have the emotional strength to be a good friend. I needed to just sit alone with my thoughts for a while.

Leif’s grip tightened on me, and I lowered my face to press my lips to his forearm. I was grateful for his silent support. It was as if he knew I needed quiet and was respecting that, but still showing me he was there for me and would help me through even this.

My phone buzzed, and I peeked at Ryder’s parting message, something suddenly chilling in my gut.

Hey, do you know some guy named Leif?

Yeah, why?How would Ryder know anything about Leif? Something here didn’t feel right.

---