Page 96 of Brassy Bigwig

The sight of the person on the screen causes goose bumps to break out over Chloe’s skin. I wrap my arm around her shoulders and pull her close to me.

“I’m assuming that’s him? That’s Blake?” I ask.

“I can’t be one hundred percent sure without seeing the rest of his face, but it sure does look like him. And who else would be lurking outside of the apartment?”

“What’s the time and date stamp from the video?” I ask Reed.

“Midday, two days ago.”

“Anyway, like hell are you leaving D because of this,” Shelby completely changes the subject, addressing Chloe. “I mean, nobody’s life is in danger here. Frankly, it feels like Blake may be losing his touch.”

“The letters and texts are confusing me,” Chloe adds.

“How so?” I inquire.

“It’s just… not Blake’s style. He never cared about violating the restraining order when I had one. Not that I’m complaining, but why is he keeping his distance this time?”

“Well, maybe he doesn’t want to get sent back to prison?” Reed offers. “Or maybe it’s because you have someone else in your life to protect you this time around. Before it was just you and Shelby, right?”

“My dad had one run-in with him. But, yes, basically it was just Shelby and I.”

“And now Shelby has Reed,” I add. “So that’s double the amount of protection than you girls had before.”

“Yeah, I guess you’re right.”

“Hey, listen to me.” I take my seat again and pull Chloe onto my lap. I take her chin in my grip and force her eyes on mine. “I’m not going to let anything happen to you. I won’t let you out of my sight. You’re going to get sick of me by the time this asshole is out of your life for good.”

“Somehow I doubt that.”

Wrapping her arms around my neck, she leans in for a kiss.

“I’m going to call it a night. Get back to the apartment and try to update the Wi-Fi.” Reed pulls Chloe’s attention from my lips, and she stands up to say goodbye.

“Do you guys have a ride back? Ivan can drive you if you’d like.”

“Nah, we’re good,” Reed confirms, shaking my hand as Shelby and Chloe hug one another.

With one final goodbye, they’re out the door.

“Would you like me to run you a bath?”

“No, I’m thinking about brushing my teeth and watching a show from bed. Maybe get to sleep a little early tonight.”

“I’ll get dinner cleaned up. You go relax,” I suggest.

“Thank you, D. For everything.” Rising up onto her tiptoes, she plants a kiss on my lips.

I can’t wait to crawl into bed next to her tonight.

* * *

Less than thirty minutes later, Chloe’s cell phone echoes through the room from the table next to her side of the bed. She rolls over to grab it, and the chill in the air licks my side where she was just curled up.

“It’s Shelby,” she informs me before answering the call. “Hello?”

I can’t hear what she is saying, but it must not be good. Chloe’s face drops, and she puts the phone on speaker.

“Wait, wait. Hold on. Say that again so D can hear you.”

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