Everyone had settled down for the night at Xavier and Izzy’s house. Her dad and mom had stayed, as if they couldn’t handle being very far away from Hailey. They’d all been so nice and accommodating to Brady, but the way they looked at him, he knew. Hailey could’ve been killed tonight, and all his proclamations about protecting her were stupid and empty. If he hadn’t gotten over his immature jealousy and insecurities and gone to her room to apologize, if he’d waited until morning like Claire had suggested … He passed a hand over his face and shook his head, but he couldn’t rid himself of the visions of Hailey being in that room when the bomb went off.

When they’d gone through all the details with the police, several of them had believed that Claire was the stalker and had sent the bomb in the flowers or jewelry box. They’d taken her in for questioning but released her shortly after because of how fully she cooperated and the fact that there was no proof. The flowers and diamond necklace had been ordered from reputable stores and hadn’t been touched by Claire. Brady was relieved it wasn’t his agent and friend, but a selfish part of him almost wished it was. He just wanted this stalker and attempted murderer found.

Hailey was snuggled against his chest, and he held her close, inhaling her coconut scent. Even though he didn’t deserve to have her in his arms, he wasn’t strong enough to walk away. It was dark, but he had her perfect features memorized, and he gently trailed his finger across her smooth cheek to the little cleft in her chin. A strangled sob rose in his chest. He barely held it in. If he let it loose, the entire house would hear his anguish. Hailey had almost died tonight.

Hailey was too perfect, too wonderful. To think that he was the reason she was in danger was killing him. He couldn’t do it anymore. He slid slowly away from her and rested her head on the pillow. She stirred but didn’t awaken. Placing a soft kiss on her perfect lips, he wished she would wake up and respond, but she didn’t. He forced himself to stand, but then he froze. What was he going to do? How could he leave his dream woman, but how could he not? He had to protect her somehow, and obviously, being with him was no protection.

The police were questioning anyone who had access to his house, but so far they had no leads on who might have planted the bomb. Everyone from the cleaning crew, grounds crew, and even his agent and the neighborhood security were suspects. It was insane.

He forced himself to slip from the bedroom when every part of him wanted to lie back down and hold Hailey until the stalker and the media and William Fonnesbeck and everything else in the world went away.

Creeping past the room her parents were sleeping in, he climbed the stairs. There was a light on in the kitchen. He was tempted to just slip out the front door and walk to his house. The police had spent hours investigating every inch of the bomb site. In the morning, his cleaning crew and a restoration crew would start work on cleaning then rebuilding the bedroom and fixing any fire damage. He could sleep there if he wanted. Like he’d be sleeping anyway.

“Where do you think you’re going?” James Knight asked from behind him.

Brady turned slowly to face him. “I don’t know where to go, sir, but I think we both know I can’t be with Hailey until they find the stalker.”

James nodded. “I wondered when you were going to step up and take this.”

Brady blew out a breath. “I love your daughter, sir. I’ll do anything I can to protect her.”

“Did you see the latest news?”

Brady didn’t want to see any more news. At least a bomb going off in his house had stopped her old boyfriend from claiming she was having his baby. He shook his head.

“Our friend William Fonnesbeck stepped down from the commissioner’s office today.”

Brady’s head whipped up. “What? Why?”

“Alleged rape of a co-worker.” James pursed his lips. “I’ve got an inside source with proof he hired Treven to say all those lies about Hailey and the pregnancy.”

Brady felt suddenly weak.

“Come sit down.” James instructed.

Brady didn’t protest. He walked into the great room and sank onto the couch. He was glad the issues with William were over, but now, the reason Hailey had married him in the first place was gone. If he forced Hailey to stay married to him, he would be a selfish, idiotic jerk.

“What are you thinking?” James asked quietly, seated on the love seat adjacent to Brady.

“I’m glad William won’t harass Hailey anymore.”

James nodded. “And?”

“And I need to let her go.” His shoulders rounded. Saying the words was worse than a sledgehammer to the gut.

James didn’t say anything. The silence from his father-in-law’s side wasn’t heavy, just contemplative.

Brady sat up straighter. “If I announce that our marriage is annulled, the stalker won’t come after her anymore.”

“It’s going to break her heart though,” her dad said.

Brady pulled in a quick breath. “Do I have any other option?”

“Not that I can see.” James studied his hands. “Maybe after the stalker is caught, you can work it all out.”

“Maybe.” But the rock settling in his gut said otherwise. He loved Hailey so much he couldn’t stand the thought of hurting her or not being with her, but his stalker had almost killed her tonight. The only way to ensure her safety was to cut her out of his life and show the media that he had. He could only pray the stalker had left enough evidence that the police would catch her soon and Hailey wouldn’t hate him for what he had to do.

“Maybe I should talk it through with her in the morning though. I don’t want to hurt her.” Brady pushed a hand through his hair.

James shook his head. “I’m sorry, but do you know Hailey at all? She’d tell you off and go try to find the stalker herself.”

Brady would’ve laughed if the situation wasn’t so serious. James was right.

“You need to go. I’ll tell her why you had to do this.”

The center of his chest felt hollow and achy. He didn’t want to leave Hailey, but he knew her dad was right. James stood and offered his hand. Brady rose to his unsteady feet and shook his father-in-law’s hand.

James released his hand and nodded. “You’re a good man, Brady Giles. Someday, I’d be proud to call you my son-in-law.”

Brady was surprised and pleased to hear that. Especially after the confrontation a couple of nights ago when James had basically told Hailey to leave him. Brady didn’t know what else to say, so he slowly turned and trudged to the front door. James stayed by his side and typed in the code so the alarm wouldn’t go off. There was a police car and an unmarked car out front. They were taking Hailey’s security serious, now.

Brady turned on the porch and glanced back at James. “Please tell her how much I love her.”

James nodded.

“And keep her safe.”

“You know I will.”

Brady walked off into the night. He’d promised he’d keep Hailey safe, and he’d failed. Her dad and all of his security had a much better shot at it than Brady did. He pulled his phone out and dialed his agent’s number. He needed to apologize for all she’d gone through tonight with the police, and he knew Claire would help with the lawyer, annulment, and the press. Brady might as well get it all started. If it would protect Hailey, he would do anything. If only it didn’t hurt so much.