Page 132 of Chasing Shelter

“Will do.” I headed for the side gate so I wouldn’t get waylaid in the house. When I stepped out front, I cringed at all the official vehicles. The lights on at all the houses up and down the street told me the neighbors were all watching the show, and I was sure the rumor mill was running rampant.

Moving toward the street, I found Gabriel, Beth, Laney, and Fletcher all gathered together. I frowned. Fletcher wasn’t even on tonight, but I guessed I should appreciate all the extra hands we could get. I scowled when I saw Will headed our way, though. Because even needing extra help, I didn’t want his hands anywhere near this.

Fletcher looked up at my approach. “How’s Ellie?”

“Hanging in there. Want to bring me up to speed?”

Gabriel nodded, flipping back a page in his notebook. “We’ve got deputies who will rotate sitting out front overnight.”

“That didn’t do any good before,” I gritted out. Whoever had taken that goddamned photo had snuck in while someone sat in Ellie’s driveway.

“Working on that, too,” Gabriel said. “Have another batch of deputies rotating one street over. My best guess is whoever took those photos came in through the back. There are pick marks on the lock.”

I cursed, and all eyes turned to me.

Will snickered as he walked up. “Guess this prank got the boss spun up if he’s cursing.”

I slowly turned toward Will. “Did. You. Say. Prank?”

He shrugged carelessly. “If somebody wanted to slice and dice your girlfriend, they would’ve done it.”

I moved so fast Gabriel almost didn’t get to me in time. My fist flew, but Gabriel managed to catch my arm at the last moment, just as Beth took my other. Together, they pulled me back, but Laney got right in Will’s face. “You’re done, pissant,” she barked. “Suspended without pay. And I’m filing a complaint with the mayor. I hope like hell Trace fires your ass.”

It was more than time. But right now, I was struggling to breathe. Because Will had voiced the deepest, darkest fears that had been stirring inside me since I saw those photos. The knowledge of just how easy it would’ve been for someone to end Ellie’s life. To take her from Linc. From Keely. From me.

“Breathe, Trace,” Gabriel ordered.

Will was mouthing off at Laney as she kicked him to the curb. Deputies Allen and Smith gaped at the scene.Great.More fodder for the rumor mill.

I shook off Beth and Gabriel. “Her damn dog didn’t even wake up. How’s that possible?”

Gabriel scrubbed a hand over his stubbled face. “I don’t know. I heard that little thing snoring up a storm at your house. It might not have been able to hear the person coming in if they were quiet.”

I guessed that was true, but it still bothered me. Someone should’ve seensomething.

“I’ve got more of an update. You want that out here, or do you want me to update you and Ellie together?”

I looked at the friend I’d had for half my life, trying to read into what the update might be. But his poker face was too good. “Together.” What Ellie wanted more than anything was to finally be in control of her life, and I wouldn’t take that away.

“All right,” Gabriel said. “Beth, will you fill everyone else in on the plan?”

She jerked her head in a nod. “On it.”

“We’ve got your back.” Gabriel’s voice was quiet, but the force behind the words was a vow.

“Thanks.”Myvoice was raw, emotion having shredded it to pieces over the course of the night.

As we stepped inside, the various conversations quieted, and all eyes came to us. Linc was seated next to his sister, but he stood at the sight of me, offering me his seat. It was more than just a simple gesture. It was his acceptance of who I was to Ellie, and who she was to me.

She searched my eyes as I sat. “They found something?”

“I don’t know. I wanted Gabriel to tell us together.”

Surprise lit Ellie’s pale green eyes but then she leaned into me. “Thanks, Chief.”

“It’s Sheriff.”

“Whatever you say.”

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