Page 34 of Tear Me to Pieces
Too bad, because I’m about to ruin everyone’s night.
“Someone was in the woods next to Myra’s house.” I finish inspecting the windows in the kitchen and family room area, and move onto the front portion of the house. “It was too dark to make out anything about them, but they were definitely watching us.”
I don’t elaborate. It’s no one’s business but mine and Myra’s what we were doing, and it doesn’t matter anyway. All that matters is someone—whose days are numbered—put their eyes where they don’t belong. I’m going to find out who, and I’m going to find out why.
Then I’m going to make sure they never look at anything again.
“Shit.” Christian relays what I just told him to Lydia, Tate, and Piper. Then he asks me, “Does Myra have any cameras on her house at all?”
I’m a little surprised he doesn’t know the answer to that. Surprised and annoyed.
“She doesn’t have shit here. Not even a security system.” I try to bite my tongue, but I’m too fucking pissed to come close to being successful. “And why in the hell is that? That should have been the first thing you did after she bought the place.”
“How was I supposed to do that? Barge in and take over?” Christian scoffs. “No fucking way. Myra’s just started to live her own life. I’m not going to be the one to take that from her.”
Is that what I’m doing? Taking Myra’s life from her?
I look at the renovations I’ve started. The refrigerator I stocked. Listen as the shower switches on after I told her to get ready for bed.
“Is she okay? Did she know they were there?” Christian’s rapid-fire questions drag my attention away from my own failings.
“She knew they were there. She seems rattled, but she’s not hurt.” I rake one hand through my hair. “What the fuck are we gonna do?”
“We can start byyoutalking her into putting in a security system. You’re the only one she seems to listen to.” Christian puts the burden squarely on me.
I know I should try to send that responsibility back at him—or more likely his wife—but I can’t make myself do it.
Imagine that.
“I’ll handle it.” I don’t want to push Myra. Genuinely. But I won’t let her get hurt. She might hate me for what I’m about to do,but there’s no fucking way I’m going to let her be in any sort of danger.
Which brings me to another issue.
“I don’t feel comfortable leaving her here alone tonight.” I’m not sure why I admit that to Christian. Maybe I need reassurance that I’m not the only one who feels this way. It will spread out the blame so it’s not only on my shoulders.
Proving he is just as protective as I am, Christian says, “Agreed. You should stay with her until we figure out what’s going on.”
I turn, resigned to the fact that I’m going to have to control a little more of Myra’s life. “I’ll get started on a security system first thing in the morning.”
“I’ll have everyone check their feeds to see if their cameras caught anyone lurking around,” Christian assures me, promising to check back in with me in the morning before ending our call.
I stand in the hall for I don’t know how fucking long, trying to tamp down my own desires and wants. Trying to get myself into a better frame of mind.
It’s not easy. Possibly more difficult than it’s ever been.
And I’m no closer to accomplishing it when soft footsteps come down the stairs. I clench my jaw, pulling in a deep breath as I attempt to steel myself against the sight I know is about to greet me.
Again, I fail.
Seeing Myra with her hair pulled up at the top of her head in a messy bun, a set of pale blue pajamas clinging to her frame, reignites the heat I’d hoped was successfully doused.
I shouldn’t have done what I did outside. It was yet another mistake in a long line, but I’m a big enough asshole that there’s no way in hell I’ll take it back. After hearing Myra admit no one had ever gotten her off, I knew I wouldn’t let anyone else claim the privilege of being first but me.
And, based on the desire coursing through me, I’m probably going to be second and third before the sun comes up.
Myra gives me a tentative smile, a hint of pink tinting her cheeks. She’s thinking about what happened between us outside. What I gave her. And it sends all the blood in my body running south.
“Hey.” She smooths back a loose bit of blonde hair, tucking it behind one ear. “Is everything okay?”
