Page 28 of Killer Confections
I hand her the card from the arrangement before detailing the bone-chilling story. She listens, her golden sun-kissed skin turning a sickly pale color the more I explain.
“I’m sure it’s someone you know,” she tries to reassure, but her voice wavers, as if she can’t believe her own words. “We need to get you some security cameras.”
“Yup,” I sigh. “I’ll order them tonight once we’re settled.”
“I’m also not leaving your side until we can figure out who the fuck is breaking in to leave flowers,” she adds.
I smile, knowing she wouldn’t leave my side regardless of if someone was trying to stalk me or not.
We pull up to the complex, climbing out and I grab the flowers before leading my friend to the elevators in the lobby. Addison rambles, giving me a good distraction as I type in the code to my security system. I absently push the door open, laughing at something she says before I stop breathing all together.
This morning, before I had left, my kitchen was a disaster area that needed to be tackled tonight. I had stacked, used baking trays and giant dirty metal bowls littering the counter tops for as far as the eye could see.
“What’s wrong?” My friend asks, peaking around me.
My heart slams in a slow, painful rhythm. I can hear my own labored breaths as I suck air into my lungs. My eyes are wide as I turn to face the woman beside me.
“Someone cleaned my house.”
Chapter Twelve
Atlas
This shouldn’t be nearly as fun as it is. I watch the cameras with amusement as Loxley and her friend stare at one another. Both are entirely too frightened to move from the front door and I don’t blame them.
As if flipping a switch, her friend, a woman I recognize as Addison from my intel source, pushes around Loxley. She stomps down the hallway, throwing doors open and yelling threats to ‘fuck up’ whoever may still linger around the apartment.
She’s a brave one. Good call on friends, Short Stack.
My girl looks resigned as she sets the bouquet down on the counter before leaning her ass against it and crossing her arms over her chest as she waits patiently for her friend to finish.
“They’re gone,” Addison huffs, pulling out one of the bar stools and plopping down on it.
“I could have told you that,” Loxley deadpans. “Whoever this is doesn’t want me to see them.”
Her friend swivels back and forth, brows drawn in concern. “You’re taking this much lighter than you should be.”
“I’m terrified,” my girl admits, her gaze straying to the floor as she shakes her head. “But what do I do?”
“You call the police!” Addison shouts, and I scowl at the screen. I quickly remind myself that the loud-mouthed brunette is a close friend, therefore she’s exempt from my wrath—no matter how much I hate the way she speaks to my future wife.
Loxley throws her hands up, giving her friend a sarcasticlook. “Yes! Let’s call them, shall we? Should I start with the bouquet of roses left with no forced entry or the clean kitchen with no forced entry?”
Addison’s head whips around to the door, her eyes squinting at the security system before her face crumbles. “Oh, my god, Lox. They have your security code.”
“Yeah, currently trying to work that out in my head without losing my shit.” She responds.
Good girl. She’s catching on.
“I’m going to change the code, then ask Mrs. Olivia if anyone I don’t know has been coming to my apartment,” she decides before moving to the system and following the directions to change her code.
Addison watches her closely, her green eyes full of concern for her friend. “You’re really not calling the police?”
Loxley sighs, locking the system in place before retreating to the far side of the room. She opens a closet, pulling out a pillow and a blanket. “What would I say? There’s no evidence anyone has been here besides clean dishes, Addie. They would laugh at the absurdity of it all.”
“That doesn’t make this any better! Please, Lox. You don’t have to do it tonight, but promise me you will after the grand opening tomorrow? At least file a report.” The brunette begs.
My girl nods, looking tired and wilted. “Sure. Let’s get some sleep.”
