Chapter 25
Luke
“We might have a problem,” Alec says as soon as I answer the phone.
“What’s wrong?” Immediately, I’m rushing back inside having spent the last couple hours repairing the shed.
“I got a call from Emily—”
“Emily? Is she okay? What’s wrong?”
“It might be nothing, but—”
“Damn it, Alec! Spit it out!”
“She thinks someone is following her, but she’s not sure.”
“Fuck.” I glance at my phone and see no missed calls from her. She didn’t fucking call me…she called Alec instead.
“I know things between you two are tense, so I’ll respect your decision if you want to sit this one out, but I need to know if you want to be involved or if I need to call—”
“Fuck no, you don’t need to call anyone else. I’m going to grab my keys. Fill me in on what’s going on.”
“Here’s what I know: she was out with a realtor this morning looking at apartments. She said she remembered seeing a grey sedan in at least one of the parking lots, but didn’t think much of it at the time. She stopped by a grocery store, and on her way out, she saw the same grey car. Not sure if it was a coincidence, she made a couple more stops and at each one, the grey car was there.”
“Fuck, where is she now?”
“Driving around. I told her under no circumstances is she to go back to the hotel.”
“Tell her to head to the office, I’ll—”
“I suggested that, but she said she was already headed in the opposite direction. I think it’s an excuse because she could easily turn around.”
“Why wouldn’t she want to head there?”
“No idea, but I’m guessing whatever is going on, she doesn’t want the person to know where she’s working.”
“Fuck!”
“Look, she’s not far from a coffee shop a buddy of mine owns. Let me send her there and I’ll have the new guy meet her there, he doesn’t live far from that place…what’s his name again?”
“Garrett…yeah, get him there before she arrives. He’s not to leave her side, no matter what. I don’t like this.”
“Me either. I’m going to send you the address now and then get everything in place. Call me when you have her.”
“I’m on it.”
I quickly merge onto the highway and floor it, the urge to get to Emily is stronger than I’ve ever felt. I ignore the irrational part of me that’s fucking jealous that she called Alec and not me. Logically I know it’s because things are still so uncertain between us, but it fucking bugs me just the same. I should have been the first person she called. I should have been the one talking her through this, not him!
I tamp down the anger, knowing it will only make the situation worse and right now the last thing she needs is me blowing up at her. Who the fuck would want to hurt her? She doesn’t know a single person in Virginia except for those who work for us. From what I know of her, she hasn’t gotten involved in anything since she moved here. But then again, what the fuck do I know?
I kick myself for being so distant with her. Things were a little better, but we’re more like two strangers than we are anything more. I shouldn’t have pushed her away like I did, especially knowing that she’s here by herself. I should have pushed past my own shit and made sure she was doing okay. I should have paid more attention to her.
Fuck!
It’s nearly half an hour later by the time I pull into the parking lot of the coffee shop that Alec sent me to. I breathe a sigh of relief when I open the door and see her sitting at a small table in the back, with Garrett, our newest team member, standing only a few feet from her. Immediately I’m impressed. He’s giving her space, but is still close enough to step in should something happen. I rush towards her, barely stopping to glance around the nearly empty shop. Her eyes are on me before the door closes behind me. As soon as I reach her, I wrap her in my arms, not even letting her stand up first.
“Are you okay?” I pull back only long enough to look her over, needing to see for myself that she wasn’t hurt.
“What are you doing here?”
“Alec called me.” I glance at Garrett who decides it’s a good time to order a cup of coffee.
“He said he was sending someone, I just assumed…”
“Why didn’t you call me?”
“I wasn’t sure you’d want me to.”
“Fuck,” I grab her hand and pull her up against my chest. “No matter what, you can call me. Day or night, Em, you call me.”
“Okay,” it’s hesitant, but the promise is there.
“Let’s get you out of here. Do you have everything you need?”
“There are groceries in my car. I’m sure half of it’s probably melted or spoiled by now.”
“Garrett will take care of it.”
“Where am I going?”
“Home with me.”
“But—”
“It’s the safest place, and you already know how difficult it is to tie the house to me. So, whoever is trying to find you, won’t.”
“Are you sure? Alec said I could go back to the office and stay there, maybe I should do that.”
“You’re coming with me,” I growl harsher than I intend to. “Garrett, see to her car.”
“Of course.” He extends his hand, and Emily reluctantly gives him her keys.
“Do you need anything from your car?” I ask.
“No, I bought a bunch of things…but I really didn’t need them. It was just to…”
“How about a cup of coffee or tea to take with us?” I suggest knowing I need a minute to chat with Garrett before we leave.
“Yeah, this one’s cold.”
“Here,” I give her cash, “will you order me something? I’m going to check on Garrett.”
“Okay.”
“What do you know?” I ask as soon as she’s out of ear-shot.
“I arrived a few minutes before Ms. Telford did. I positioned myself at the front entrance so I could see the moment she pulled in. A grey Toyota Camry pulled in moments after Ms. Telford did, but when I opened the door to meet her he sped off.”
“Did you get a license plate number?”
“Only a partial,” he pulls out his phone. “Massachusetts plates ending with Y8D. If I were to guess, the car was no more than two years old and most likely a rental.”
“That’s what I was thinking. Did you get a look at the driver by chance?”
“Caucasian male, mid to late thirties. Unfortunately, he was wearing a baseball cap and sunglasses, so I didn’t get a very good look at him.”
“You did good. Thank you for stepping in at the last minute like this.”
“Glad I could help.”
“I’m going to call and have someone meet you here to assist with Emily’s car. Take it back to the warehouse and be sure it’s locked up. Oh, she said something about groceries in the trunk that are going bad. Can you—”
“I’ll take care of it, sir.”
“Thanks.” I pat him on the arm before heading to the end of the counter where Emily is waiting with our drinks. “Ready?”
“Yup.”
I hand her the baseball cap and hoodie I had in my SUV. She looks at me questioningly but quickly puts them on. It’s not perfect, but if he’s still watching her, he shouldn’t think the woman leaving with me is Emily.