Page 17 of A Soldier's Destiny
Chapter 6
Before they’d gone back to the station, Ethan, Steele, and Jasper checked out her apartment, thankfully nothing had been out of place. He’d be lying if he didn’t admit he was relieved it hadn’t been touched. Hearing her scream was like a knife to his heart and he couldn’t get to her fast enough. That she’d gone outside without him was a whole other issue that he was going to have to discuss with her. But that instant when he didn’t know if she was okay had been terrifying. Once he realized she was fine, his anger blossomed. Rori wasn’t one of those too stupid to live women, but she sure as hell was stubborn. He had a horrible feeling he’d be furious by the time she told him everything that had been going on. It had to stop, the fucker needed to be caught. If he was lucky, he’d be the one to catch the guy, and he’d make sure it was the last time he harassed anyone ever again.
As soon as Ethan and Steele headed back to the station to file the report, they went to the hardware store. The original plan had been for a couple of deadbolts and lightbulbs for the hallway, but the list now included paint to cover the back door and add motion-activated flood light for the back of the building. He wasn’t taking any more chances. What bothered him most was the fear on Rori’s face. It tore him up, and he was in full on protection mode. Only years of training had stopped him from pulling her into his arms and promising her that everything would be okay. But until he figured out who was harassing her and why, he couldn’t make that promise.
After they returned from the hardware store, Jasper got to work. He wasn’t a regular handyman, but he’d been around enough tools in his life to take care of this type of stuff. He’d rechecked the apartment to make sure it was still safe and left Rori upstairs to relax.
“I have to do tomorrow’s prep.”
“Relax for a bit, let me get this stuff done then I’ll help you. Deal?” It was obvious she wanted to argue, but from the huge dark circles under the deep blue eyes, she was just too tired and freaked out to push it.
“Fine. I’ll see what I can come up with for dinner.”
“Is there a restaurant we can go to instead? I think you’ve been through enough today.”
“The diner…”
“Perfect.”
“But…”
Jasper didn’t even say anything, just gave her thelookhe’d used on his team members, it never failed to silence any opposition, and it was no different with Rori. His poor angel had been through the wringer.
“Come and get me when you’re done.”
Nodding, he went to work after watching her walk up the stairs to the apartment. Damn she had a fine butt, he’d been teasing her with the honey buns remark, but he’d bet it was the truth. She’d been so soft against his hard body and had curves in all the right places.
He’d felt the presence behind him, and pulled his gun and turned in one liquid motion.
“Hey, easy, bro. I’m a friendly.” Chase backed up with his hands in the air. It took Jasper a second or two to stand down, his senses on high alert.
“Sorry. You should know better than to sneak up on me.”
“I do, but I figured you heard me.”
“I did. But I didn’t know it was you. And after this…” Jasper stepped away from the door to show Chase the damage. “I wasn’t taking any chances.”
“Can’t say that I blame you. The town is all abuzz about the, and I quote ‘sexy guy working with Rori.’ Everywhere I went today I heard the whispers. Then when Steele called to tell me what happened, I wanted to check on Rori.”
“Don’t you mean ‘check’ on me?”
“No, I meant Rori. If I didn’t think you could do this job, I wouldn’t have given it to you.”
Jasper swallowed his next words and took a deep breath. “Thanks, boss. I really won’t let you down.”
“I know. Steele also told me that she’s the girl you’ve been trying to find for the last two years. Is that true?”
It didn’t pay to lie, he knew he’d find out the truth anyway, but how Steele had known he’d love to find out. “Yes, it’s true. But it doesn’t change anything. And before you ask, yes, I told her who I am.”
“Good. I wouldn’t have expected any different. But you’re the talk of the town apparently. The blue hair brigade has gone on high alert.”
“Blue hair brigade? What the fuck are you talking about?”
“The elderly women in town, nothing gets by them. Surely, you noticed a bunch of the women in the bakery today.”
“Not really. I was focusing more on the males who came in. But maybe I did see a couple of older women. I couldn’t believe the amount of business she does.”
“I warned you. She found a niche that needed to be filled. Since everyone knew her or her family they were more than happy to support her. But that also makes it worse that someone is gunning for her.”
