Page 85 of Tide and Seek
“I’m positive.Really, I’ll be right as rain by the time you get back.Go on, get.You have downward-facing dogs to accomplish.”
“I don’t plan on taking a class.I just want to see her studio.”
I laughed.“You poor, naive fool.You must know C.J.is going to make you take a yoga class.”
“She can’t make me.”He bent down and kissed me, then straightened.
I smirked.“Wanna bet?This is C.J.we’re talking about.”
He exhaled, then cast me a forlorn glance before leaving.
Once Max was gone, I decided I should get up and shower.I hoped moving around might help the residual booze leave my system.In the luxurious shower, I let the hot water pound against my neck and shoulders until some of the fog began to clear.The engagement ring caught the light as I reached for the shampoo, and despite my headache, I couldn’t help smiling.I was engaged to Max, and he’d taken me completely by surprise.Sometimes life astounded you in the best possible ways.
By the time I made it downstairs and out onto the deck, the morning marine layer was burning off and actual sunshine was breaking through.I settled into one of the patio chairs, hoping some vitamin D might finish what the shower had started.The sun felt warm on my face, and it really did seem to help my mood and headache.
I was in the kitchen fixing my second cup of coffee when I heard sounds from the front of the house.At the sound of a key turning the lock on the front door, I assumed that Max was home much earlier than he’d predicted.Smiling, I set my mug down on the island and headed toward the front to greet Max.But when the door swung open, it wasn’t Max.
I stepped back in surprise when I recognized Ethan in his Coastal Pest Solutions uniform.He didn’t notice me at first as he turned toward the alarm pad.His brow furrowed when he saw it wasn’t armed, and then he glanced over and spotted me.He froze, his face going white as a sheet when our eyes met.
“Ethan?”I stared at him in confusion.“I didn’t realize you were coming today.”
He made a gulping sound, and he shut the door.“Uh… hey.”His voice cracked.“I...I didn’t know anyone was home.The car’s not in the driveway.I thought you went to meet C.J.”
“Yeah, Max went to meet her, but I wasn’t feeling well so I stayed behind.”I frowned.“I thought you weren’t going to spray the inside of the house until Max and I left on Thursday?”
He didn’t respond and he was staring at me with such a horrified expression, the hairs on the back of my neck stiffened.Something was definitely not right.He didn’t just look like a service guy embarrassed to walk in on someone.He looked petrified.
“Listen, you’re going to think I’m nuts, but…” He gave a nervous glance over his shoulder at the door and then took a step toward me.“You need to get out of here, now.”
“What?”I frowned.“What are you talking about?”
He gritted his teeth.“I can’t explain.There’s no time.Just go out the back, hurry.”
“Why would I do that?”I grated.
“Because he’s right behind me,” he hissed, eyes wide.“He can’t find you here.Don’t you understand?Please, I’m begging you to just go out the back, quickly.”
“Who’s right behind you?Ethan, you’re not making any sense.”
“God,” he wailed, giving another panicked glance over his shoulder.“Why won’t you listen to me?He’s dangerous.Please, just go.”His face was flushed and there was the sheen of perspiration on his cheeks.“If he finds you here, he won’t let you live.”
“If you’re in danger—”
“I’m not in danger,” he growled.“You are.”
As he finished speaking, the front door squeaked open and another man slipped inside.I recognized him immediately.He looked much the same as when Max and I had first met him—impeccably dressed in black slacks, a crisp white shirt, Italian loafers.There was one glaring difference.
Today he had a gun.
When Stiles saw me, his face hardened, and his hand went to the shoulder holster tucked beneath his arm.“Ethan,” he said in a clipped voice.“I thought you said no one would be home today?”
Ethan’s face was ashen and he stared at me with hollow eyes.“No one was supposed to be home.”
Stiles shook his head, lip curled.“This entire operation has been one cluster fuck after another.Why is it so hard to get good help?”
Ethan said nothing.
“Mind telling me what’s going on?”I kept my voice steady, trying to hide the churning fear inside me.There was no question I was in trouble.Ethan’s fear had been very real, and staring into Stiles’s cold brown eyes, I understood why.Gone was the warmth and charm he’d used on Max and me the day we first met.His gaze was chilled and emotionless, and I wished I’d listened to Ethan’s warnings.
