Page 23 of Corrupted Lies

“We’re going to do whatever it takes to make sure these men don’t get to you again,” he answered simply. Although that wasn't much of an answer. And why did it feel like he already had a plan in mind, one he had neglected to share with her?

“What does that mean exactly?”

“It means that we’ll talk about it when we get back to my place. I hear sirens so cops have showed up. We’re going to have to give statements again, and then I want you checked out by EMTs.”

“I didn't get hurt.”

“Yeah, sunshine, you did.” Lifting a finger, he brushed the calloused pad of a finger across her left cheekbone, and she winced slightly as pain flared in her face. “You have at least one bruise where something hit you when he threw that fireball atyou. There are probably more, but adrenaline is masking the pain. You get checked out, not negotiable.”

There was the Jake she knew so well, all gruff and commanding. The smile on her lips was genuine this time as she caught his hand and entwined their fingers. She needed him close, and she wasn't going to fight her instincts. “Okay, grumpy, wouldn't want you to get those pants of yours in a knot.”

The smile slid off her face as she caught sight of cops coming toward them. This mess wasn't even close to being over. Jake and his family still had no idea who the fourth rapist was which meant there was nothing stopping these men coming after them again and again until they finally got what they wanted.

Chapter

Six

October 15th

8:02 P.M.

“I feel like I've had a permanent headache the last few days,” Alannah said with a ragged sigh as Jake unlocked his front door and guided her inside.

She was dead on her feet, that was the problem. What little energy she’d managed to recoup after sleeping fairly well last night had been zapped by an exhausting day of dealing with insurance and contractors, and then this third fire had destroyed what was left.

What she needed was to be somewhere safe.

Whatheneeded was for her to be somewhere safe.

Risking losing her wasn't an option, which meant they needed to have some tough conversations. Since she’d been his best friend for so long, she knew Cassandra, had known Becca back when she was with Connor the first time, knew Essie and Gabriella, so going away with them shouldn’t be a problem for her.

At least on that front.

But his sunshine was stubborn and determined, and she took her responsibilities seriously. He was worried that even with the danger, she wouldn't walk away from her business.

It wasn't that he didn't get that because he totally did. That gym was her baby, and she’d worked hard to build it up. If she had to close it down for any extended period of time, she might not be able to recover.

There was no way he could force her to make that decision, take her livelihood from her. If she insisted on staying, he would hire as much security as was needed to keep her safe and protected.

Unfortunately, with a firebug on her trail, that would be a whole lot harder to do.

Any building could be set alight, and while so far whoever their pyromaniac stalker was seemed to be making sure no one else was hurt, that didn't mean it would last forever.

“You need a shower and food,” he told her, locking up the door behind them and then nudging her toward the stairs. “Go up and take a shower, and I’ll order some takeout.”

A long sigh rumbled from her lips. “Yeah, guess you're right. Shower, food, and sleep will help.” Turning to look up at him over her shoulder, she quirked one side of her mouth up into something that vaguely resembled a smile. “At least the cops no longer seem to think I'm the one starting fires.”

“With witnesses to two of the three fires saying you didn't do it, it would be hard for them to insist otherwise. And since in two of the three fires you almost died, I think it would be a stretch to believe you paid someone to set them.”

While he knew Alannah was upset about the police hinting at her involvement, in his mind they had way bigger problems than that. Something he suspected she knew, too, but that was an easier problem to focus on when she didn't want to truly consider how much danger she was in.

“Shower,” he ordered gently, giving her another nudge toward the stairs. “Sorry you're not getting the lasagna you were craving. I’ll order pizza from your favorite place, and they have those brownies that you love, too.”

Stopping partway up the stairs, she looked down at him, a genuine smile on her face this time. “Cheesy pizza and gooey brownies. Might not be my homemade lasagna but dee-lish-us.”

“Delicious,” he mumbled his agreement as she ran up the last of the stairs. Why was he thinking about how delicious it would be to trail his tongue over every inch of Alannah’s creamy, soft skin?

Had to be the stress of the last few days and how many times he’d come close to losing her.

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