Page 23 of Securing His Family

What am I doing?

Behind that door were two men who could help her, and yet she couldn’t make herself ask for it.

Why was it so hard?

Reed had shown that he would do whatever was necessary to ensure her safety. She reached up and touched the ring hanging around her neck. How many times had she wished it was real? That she really could wear the ring? Too many times to count.

The door opened and both Reed and Steve stepped out.

“Patrick got in touch,” she blurted out. “I don’t know how he did it, but he slipped some photos in with today’s delivery. They’re photos of me, Charlee, and you, Reed. He’s been following us and we didn’t even know.”

Reed was beside her in seconds pulling her into his embrace. His arms closed around her and in that moment she felt safe as if Patrick couldn’t touch her.

Why had she been fighting this?

How many times had she wanted to ask him if he wanted to have dinner with her and Charlee? Too many to count over the last week. She knew he wanted to join them. Had seen the look in his eyes, willing her to ask the question and each time she’d ignored it.

“I know, Ren. I got some too.”

“What?” She pulled out of his hold, even though she didn’t want to. “You got photos as well?”

He nodded. “They were delivered to the office. Where are the ones you got?”

“I put them in my bag.”

“I’ll go tell Tabby what’s going on,” Steve murmured, leaving them alone in the kitchen.

Damn, the last thing she wanted to do was cause her boss more stress, especially in her new café. This place represented a fresh start for Tabitha. A place that didn’t have bad memories like her other location had when she’d been attacked.

“I know what you’re thinking, Ren, but stop. Tabby isn’t going to blame you for anything. She’s going to want to help. You know that.”

There was nothing but truth in what Reed was saying, but it still didn’t stop the guilt from flaring to life. “I know. But still I wish things were different.”

Reed’s hands landed on her shoulders. “I know you do, but you know that you’ve got a whole team who is going to work to ensure you and Charlee are safe.”

“Oh my God, Charlee! What if he’s at the school? There’s a reason he sent those photos to us both. He probably thinks he doesn’t need to hide anymore.” Her voice and herself were close to becoming hysterical. Her daughter had to be safe. She couldn’t bear to think about anything happening to her.

Reed squeezed her reassuringly. “I could say that we shouldn’t worry but maybe call the school and ask them to get Charlee to the principal’s office. I’ll call Andy and ask him to collect her. You’ve added all of us to the approved list haven’t you?”

She had. For the first time since Charlee started school, Lauren had had to increase the approved pick up list. The guys had been adamant that they were fine with being added. “I’ll call them now.”

“Before you do, where are the photos?”

Lauren walked over to the alcove where she hung her handbag. She grabbed the envelope and handed it to Reed. “I only looked at a couple. That was all I needed to see to know that we weren’t safe. That I’d been fooling myself—again—that Patrick had backed off. I’m sorry I should’ve listened to you.”

Reed had told her that Patrick was biding his time, but she’d been convinced she knew her ex better than anyone else. Why she thought that was ridiculous regardless of the fact he kept coming back even after no contact for a while.

“It’s as much my fault as it is yours. I should’ve been more vigilant when we were together. Scoped the area for any possible danger. If anything had happened—” He stopped, pain shining in his green eyes.

“But it didn’t,” she said softly.

“No, it didn’t, but that doesn’t mean it can’t.” His voice turned hard. “We need a plan, Lauren. I also don’t think it’s safe for you to go to your house. He’s been watching it and that makes you vulnerable.”

How much was Patrick going to take from her? He’d already taken her peace of mind and now he was going to take her home. The last thing she wanted to do was move. While she’d been saving, there was no way she had enough to be able to afford all the costs involved in finding a new place to rent. Not to mention the market was insane at the moment, and there wasn’t much available, especially in the area where she lived because she didn’t want to move Charlee from the school she was at. It would be too much upheaval for her daughter.

“What am I supposed to do? Live in a hotel?” That wouldn’t be practical and it would also be expensive. She’d eat through her savings rapidly if she did that.

“You and Charlee can stay with me.”

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