Page 62 of The Desperate Warrior

“No. Not exactly.”

Jules leaned in. “What then?”

He glanced around and lowered his voice. “It’s just a feeling. Like I’m being followed.”

A shiver ran through her. “I know exactly what you mean.”

Their eyes locked as a flicker of understanding passed between them.

“You’ve felt it too?” he asked.

“I have,” she admitted. “Has anything else happened to you?”

His expression grew troubled. “Well ... this may sound crazy, but I think someone broke into my house.”

Her heart skipped a beat. “What?”

He nodded. “Yeah. I’m in the process of upgrading my security system because the old one glitches and doesn’t catch everything, so I can’t be sure. A few nights ago, I came home after my shift, and things felt off. A few items were moved. Nothing major. Things were just not how I left them.”

Jules’s stomach twisted. “Like what?”

“The mail on my counter had been moved. A drawer in the kitchen was slightly open. One of the picture frames in the hallway was crooked—just enough to catch my attention.”

“Did you call the police?”

He shook his head. “I thought about it, but nothing was taken. I felt foolish and wondered if I was being paranoid. I checked my cameras, but they didn’t pick up anything. Like I said, I’m upgrading my system because the one I have is unreliable.”

Jules thought about the pickup truck that Brock spotted alongside the curb. Unfortunately, he wasn’t able to get theplates. The one good thing that had come out of the ordeal was that Brock was able to relay the info to the PI, telling Leroy Gilcrest to be on the lookout for the green pickup truck. Before, Leroy had been looking for Steve Randall’s beige Chevy diesel pickup truck. Now, they could add the green Ford pickup to the list. Also, Luke and Nikki could watch for it when they went back to Eagle Mountain Lake to scour the area. “You’re not being paranoid. This is getting serious.”

He nodded grimly. “You just never expect this sort of thing to happen. Bree Cline is an outstanding office manager. I’m glad that she and LouAnna took extra measures and hired the security guards.” He paused, giving her a meaningful look. “I just can’t help but think that we might all need protecting 24/7 until Steve Randall is caught.”

“I agree,” she said quietly, immensely grateful that she had Brock in her corner. But none of the other staff members were as fortunate. She couldn’t stand the thought of Steve Randall harming any of them. She was still reeling from Alyssa’s death. She couldn’t handle losing any more coworkers or friends.

“Are you okay?”

An automatic smile curved her lips. “Yeah. Do you mind if I ask ... why weren’t you there that day? For Lisa’s surgery.”

He winced. “It was stupid, really. I ate at a roadside taco stand the night before, and it didn’t sit well.”

“I'm sorry.”

He exhaled slowly. “I can’t help wondering if things would’ve been different … had I not gotten sick.”

“They wouldn’t,” she stated firmly. “Lisa’s death had nothing to do with anything we did. No one could’ve predicted that she had a family history of blood clots or that she’d recently taken a long plane ride.” She looked him in the eyes. “You’re not to blame.”

“I know,” he said dully, guilt lingering on his face.

She understood all too well how he felt. Thoughts of Alyssa slipped back, an ever-present reminder of her regrets. Had she not encouraged Alyssa to leave her boyfriend, she might still be alive. That decision haunted Jules, even though she knew deep down it had been the right advice. Alyssa was pregnant. She couldn’t stay with a man who was abusive. Jules knew all of this logically, but knowing and feeling weren’t the same.

Asher touched her hand. “You did everything you could. You’re a good nurse.”

“Thanks.” She discreetly pulled her hand away when she noticed Brock watching with a dark and brooding expression.

They got to work blending the chickpeas.

Asher lifted a spoon from the bowl and held it out to her, his voice playful. “Taste test?”

Jules hesitated, the intimacy of the setting making her uncomfortable. He offered the spoon, and she took it, not wanting to offend him. She took a bite, the flavor of lemon and garlic zinging on her tongue. “Mmm. That’s amazing.”

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