The sunlight filling the room almost seems as bright as the light in Blue’s pale eyes.

Fuck. It wasn't just a dream.

I plant a quick kiss on her lips. It's been ages since I had a night like we’d just experienced. Actually, I’ve never had one quite like it. Not like this.

Fucking her doesn't leave me wanting to get up and leave the next morning. Doesn't make me want to get on with my life. This woman, in my bed, naked and glorious, is it.

“Morning, Sunshine,” I growl, watching her eyelids flutter open.

Her giggle includes a little sigh.

I run a hand across her silky stomach. “How you feeling? Sore?”

I’m still on cloud nine knowing I'm the first man to touch her.

First to show her peaks she never even knew existed in her own skin.

First to make her call my name, coming loud, raking her nails down my back.

Fuck again.

I’d never even thought about stuff like this before, but she's got my brain stuck on it. She also brought me to some heights I’d never seen before – primal satisfaction like no other.

Hell, I blew three times inside her and a fourth time in my hand, spattering her tits. I'm still ready to go again. But I don’t want to wear her out.

“What are you going to do if I say yes? To being sore?”

Damn, but she makes me happy. “Kiss you, Crazy. Then go make us some breakfast.”

She runs a single fingernail across my chest, which makes my morning wood throb like mad.

“And if I say no?” she asks.

“I’ll kiss you.” I run my fingers through that strip of hair tucked above her sweet cunt. “Fuck you, and then go make us breakfast.”

Smiling, she thrusts a knee between my legs, rubbing my hard-on against her thigh. “Only one condom left.”

I slide a finger inside her. “Maybe we’ll go to town for breakfast. And grab more.”

“I love eating out.” Her tongue slides across my bottom lip. “And no, I’m not too sore.”

Best damn words I've ever woken up to.

We use up our last condom. I put her down in front of me, on her belly, then draw her hands behind her back. I mount her from behind and fuck like a bull in rut.

She screams after a minute or two of me crashing into her, holding her wrists together, moving my free hand to her hair. Tugging that blue-blonde mess in my fist brings me over after a couple more minutes of rodeo tier thrusting.

I come right in her tight little pussy clenching for dear life. Through the condom, at least, but fuck, of course I imagine what it'd be like to go bare. My seed has an animal need to be inside her.

Someday.

For now, I just come. Come hard, still fucking, not wanting to let up even when my dick softens.

Finally, we take a shower together to save on hot water. Which is all gone by the time we're done. She's still riled up, the little minx. Can't keep her paws to herself. I’ve never had a woman jack me off before, but hell, I'm more than willing to let her try it.

Anytime.

Breakfast is an old place I remember in Flagstaff. We have big omelets with all the fixings and sausage gravy before popping by the drugstore. With a full box of condoms, we head back to the ranch, and christen the new pack with a hot roll on a blanket in the screened in part of the porch.

For once, I'm thankful the cat isn't around. The sun peaks in the sky and starts drifting lower.

“Shit, it's afternoon. What time's the wedding?” I ask, my chest still heaving after another extremely intense fuck. I don’t even have the strength to get up and take care of the condom yet.

“Three o’clock,” she says, breathing as hard as me. “But we'll have to get there early enough for Natalie to change into the dress you bought her.”

“You're right.” It’s already after one. “Shit.”

She giggles.

I groan.

Snuggling closer, she lays her head on my shoulder. “Will you ever move out here? Full time?”

A flash of darkness overcomes me. “Someday.”

Maybe. When the Pearls are finished forever. Can't even think about it till then.

I hold her closer to my side, rubbing her arm. Not wanting to expose her to how dark my thoughts could become if I let them, I kiss her. “When my business can run itself, anything's possible.” I smack her sweet ass lightly, loving how it bounces against my hand. “Come on. Up. Gotta get showered and dressed.”

“Again?” Blue gives me a knowing wink.

I should be beyond satisfied, but I swear I could take her one more time. Two more. Easily.

Not actually doing it, that's hard. I kiss her forehead. “You go first.”

A little pout forms on her lips. “Alone?”

“Blue.” I laugh and roll over, pushing myself up. Taking both her hands, I pull her to her feet. “Alone. Or we’ll never get to that wedding.”

She laughs, then plants a quick kiss on my lips, spinning around. I admire her back. That shapely, perfect ass, as she walks into the kitchen and then disappears around the corner.

It’s different with her, the admiration. Not like anybody else.

It goes deep. Gets inside me like venom. Like nothing really has.

She’s too good, just like I said last night. Too damn unique and then some.

I realize it again later, after I’m showered and dressed, putting a bowl of cat food outside the door in case Shadow shows up.

“You really are a sweet man.”

I turn around at the sound of her voice, nearly losing my ability to speak. Her dress is royal blue, silky, and loose fitting, yet hugs her in all the right places.

The lacy white sweater is unbuttoned and stops above her waist. Her hair hangs in waves over her shoulders. All in all, she looks demure. Innocent.

And once again, I’m struck knowing I’m the only man who's discovered what a wild cat she is underneath that school teacher mirage.

I take a step toward her. It’s almost as if I have a split second ripple in my knees.

Crazy.

I’ve seen hundreds of good-looking women naked in the contraband passed around in the motorcycle club and the army. Bedded dozens in the flesh. But she mops the floor with them. “You're the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.”

She dips her chin shyly while shaking her head. “You’ve already charmed me, Eden.” A teasing glint forms in her eyes. “Enough. What more do you want?”

Several sexual innuendos come to mind, but I keep them to myself. They'll only make us late.

Besides, what I’m feeling goes deeper than sex, as fucking ludicrous as it seems. That makes me nervous.

I can’t have deeper. Not with her. Not with anyone. Not right now.

She holds up a bag with one hand. “I have Nat’s things. We better get going.”

I take the bag and open the truck door for her, stealing a kiss before closing it.

* * *

On the way to town, she fills me in about more family members I’ll meet today. I listen, mainly between the lines, noting her tone so I’ll know the ones to keep an eye on. The ones who've given her the most grief in the past.

She has no idea I’m picking up on it, taking mental notes.

She apologizes, too. About how I’ve been caught up in this. If she knew the truth about why I'm here, I'd be the asshole down on my hands and knees, asking her forgiveness.

I want to tell her that the grief is overdone. Under my protection, she's got nothing to worry about, if it were just her family.

But the truth is, her family's antics are nothing compared to the Pearls. I’ve put her in more danger by keeping her close.

I glance her way. “If you remember right, I’m the one who started all this.”

She lets out a sigh. “And never thought it would go this far.”

I find a place to park the truck near Joe and Janice’s house. After shutting off the engine, I reach over and take her hand. “I’m not sorry it’s gone this far.”

“You haven’t met everyone yet. Just wait. Even mom said it took her years to settle into this family. Now, she fits like a glove.”

“Blue,” I tug her into me as I lean across the console. Nose to nose, I say, “I’m a grown boy. I can handle it.” I give her a quick, possessive kiss. “Stop worrying.”

If only I could take my own advice.

Out of the corner of my eye, I see Nat running up the sidewalk. “Looks like Natalie was watching for us.”

Blue spins her head around and I laugh at her reddening cheeks, opening my door. “Hey, baby girl.”

“Hi, Daddy! Did you bring my dress?” Two of the girls she’d been playing with last night are with her, dressed in their best.

“Sure did.”

“It’s right here,” Blue says, holding out the bag she's packed. “And I brought along my hair ties so I can French-braid your hair like we talked about.”

“Yay! Thanks, Izzy,” Nat says. “I told everyone you were going to braid my hair.”

Blue glances up at me as I arrive at her side. I knew nothing about the hair braiding and smile at the apology in her eyes. “Go,” I say. “I’ll save us some seats.”

“I already saved them, Daddy,” Natalie says. “And Joe says you can join him in the garage for a pre-ceremony beverage.”

“Perfect.” A drink sounds awfully good right now, honestly.

We walk to the house together, but the girls pull Blue onto the porch and through the door before either of us can say a word.

I walk to the garage, where I recognize a few faces from last night, including Joe, who invites me over to a bar that’s been set up for the big day. He introduces me to several other guys.

There are a few lifted brows when Joe says I’m Izzy’s friend. I bite my tongue to keep from saying I’m more than a friend. Totally for their benefit. Let them know straight off I won’t stand for a single word spoken against her.

I soon discover the men aren’t as hard on her as the women. When she and Nat show up in the garage and the three of us have walked into the back yard to take our seats, the gossip mongers strike.

Whispering and pointing. Blue’s ability to ignore them surpasses mine. I don’t give them any attention, but they have the hair on my neck standing on end.

When the usher holds out his arm to Blue, I point to Natalie.

He nods and holds his arm out to her. I hook Blue’s hand around my arm as we follow the teenager and Nat up the center aisle, between the dozens of chairs we’d set up last night.

It seems much longer ago. Mainly because of the amazing time we had after leaving yesterday.

Nat put our seats next to her newfound friends. She sits beside them. Blue sits next to Nat, and I take the last seat in the row, near the aisle. I drape an arm around her shoulders, hoping this doesn’t take long. My mind drifts back to the ranch, last night, this morning. With Blue.

It’s typically hot out here. Not as bad as summer, but damn if the daytime heat wants to give up its grip before late October. There’s barely a breeze.

I consider rolling up the sleeves of my shirt, but that won’t help much. A good portion of the heat overtaking me is internal, too. Last night was hotter than the balmiest 120 degree day in Phoenix.

The little sideways glances beneath her lashes that Blue keeps sending my way increases the anticipation pumping in my veins. I run my hand over her shoulder and down her back, beneath her silky hair, and lean close to whisper in her ear. “Should we stop for another box of condoms on the way home?”

Her head snaps my way as she puts a finger against her lips. There’s also an excited shine in her eyes.

I lean close again. “Should we?”

She puts a hand on my thigh. “Hush.”

“I just want to be prepared.” I nuzzle her ear.

“Stop,” she hisses, smiling anyway.

I kiss her earlobe. “Let me know when you decide.”

She shakes her head, but also squeezes my thigh.

The shimmer in her eyes makes me wish we were anywhere but the middle of a wedding. Brutal, insistent ideas of what we’d be doing fill my head and keep on filling it as we sit through dinner later.

I’m counting the minutes till we can leave, knowing we've got hours to go.

The sun sinks lower in the western sky when the dancing begins. The desire to feel Blue’s body against mine has been eating at me all afternoon. I lead her onto the dance floor and pull her close. Holding someone in my arms never felt so good. So right.

“You certainly are set on keeping tongues wagging, aren’t you?” she whispers in my ear.

No shit. Keeping my hands wandering all over her reflects what's been in my head all day. “Can’t say I’ve noticed.” I tug her closer, pressing her hips firmly against mine as we sway to the music. “Tell me who said what and I’ll take care of them for you.”

She buries her face in my shoulder while giggling, and then leans back to look at me.

I kiss her lips. Gently, but long enough for her to know what later promises.

Our lips barely part when someone taps her shoulder. It’s the bridesmaid from last night.

“May I cut in?”

Blue’s hand slips off my shoulder as she attempts to step back. I see the disappointment in her eyes and tighten my hold, keeping her planted against me. “No,” I say.

Blue has more manners. “Sorry, Pam,” she says to the other woman.

The bridesmaid walks away and Blue shakes her head. “I don’t think that’s what she expected.”

I couldn’t care less. “Too bad. Only got one date I'm interested in tonight.” Running my hand up and down her back, I nip at her earlobe. “I didn’t want to shock her, anyway.”

She leans back again to look me in the face. “Shock her?”

“Yeah.” I thrust harder against her. “Tell me you don’t feel how hard I am right now.”

“Oh!” Her brows lift. “Not surprised. Considering all the things you’ve been whispering in my ear all day.”

“Would you rather I drew pictures? I can, and you know it. Show you exactly what we'll do when we get home.” I grind against her. “What we're going to do.” I grasp a handful of her ass. “In vivid detail.”

She kisses the side of my neck. “I’ve seen your drawings. I know the details you like to include.”

“But you’d rather have the real thing.”

“So real.”

Fuck, her voice. I’m so hard it’s torture. “When can we leave?”

The music ends and Blue glances across the room. “Once Nat’s ready, I guess.”

Since the day she was born, I’ve always put my daughter first, but right now, seeing how much fun she's having, and knowing she wouldn’t want that to end anytime soon, I clamp my teeth together to hold in a growl.

A moment later, as I lead Blue back to our table, Cleo’s smile gives me hope. And an idea.

Within fifteen minutes, Blue and I are heading for my truck. Alone. Both Cleo and Natalie were happy with the thought of Nat spending another night at the house. So am I.

As soon as we arrive at the ranch, I walk around the house and start piling kindling in the fire pit.

“What are you doing?”

I smile at the confusion in Blue’s voice. Although I’m helpless how my body begs for release, my cock screaming for me to fuck her hard and fast, I’m holding out.

I've got no clue when we’ll be alone together again and I'll make the absolute most of the next few hours.

Running a hand down her arm, I say, “I thought we could sit out here for a while.”

The bewilderment crossing her face looks adorable. “Why?”

I kiss the tip of her nose and turn back to the fire pit. “Why not?”

Biting my jaw tight at how she mutters, 'Why not?' I set flame to the wood, and once the fire's going, add a couple larger logs.

She’s sitting in one of the chairs. I pat her shoulder as I walk past. “Wait here. I’ll be right back.”

Excitement of what's to come puts a beat in my step as I head inside the house and collect several items. Back at the fire, I hand her one of the canned margaritas I’d taken out of the fridge, then spread the blanket on the ground and drop the pillows.

“Plan on being out here a while, do you?” She pops open the top of her can and takes a swallow.

I sit down on the blanket and open a can of beer. “You ever slept beneath the stars, Blue?”

“No.”

“That's one of the things out here that makes putting up with the Arizona heat worth it. Clear skies.” I pat the blanket beside me. “Come the hell here.”

She kicks off her shoes before stepping onto the blanket and then sits down next to me. “You plan on sleeping out here, too?”

I shrug. “Maybe.” Anticipation is winning. I suck a few gulps from my beer, set it aside, and kick off my boots. “That'll depend on if we're interested in sleep or not.”

She flicks her tongue over her bottom lip, watching me unbutton my shirt. Blue sets her can on the ground. “Need some help?”

“Would you like to help?”

She nods and scoots closer. “You know I would.”

I love how open she is with me, how trusting and uninhibited. I pull my hands off my shirt and hold them up in the air. “Be my guest. Undress me.”

She laughs. “Is that an invite to do whatever I please?”

My dick lets me know how it feels about that. “Sure,” I say. “Whatever you please, Blue. Long as it gets me hard.”

Her grin turns mischievous as she finishes undoing my shirt and tugs it wide open. “Let’s see,” she says. “I think it'll please me to see you shirtless, so I can examine each of those glorious tattoos.” She pushes the shirt off my shoulders. “And kiss them.”

Her breath is hot and damp against my skin. My cock throbs harder with every little kiss she plants on my chest. Fuck.

This woman will be the end of me. And maybe the beginning, too.

Her weight moves me up the blanket. My lungs catch as her kisses twist down my stomach. I'm hard enough to cut diamond.

“Oh, my,” she says, rubbing her hand down the front of my jeans. “It'll please me, Brent, to see what’s gotten so hard under here.”

Fuck yeah. She's right.

It'll please me to the moon.

My jaw tightens at how hard I have to fight to maintain control as she unbuckles my belt, and then unzips my jeans. The throb of my cock matches the pounding echo in my ears.

“I knew it,” she whispers, pushing down my boxers, freeing my cock to spring upright. “They're too tight for something so big.”

A growl bubbles up my throat as she grasps hold of my dick, stroking softly. My balls go nuclear.

“Don't you like it?” she whispers, eyeing me sideways.

Before I growl agreement, she bends, moving lower.

“Maybe this is better.”

Her lips, hot and heavenly, suck the head of my cock before she pulls me fully into her mouth. My hips rise, thrusting my length deeper through her lips.

I love how her sweet heat engulfs inch after throbbing inch.

Blue tugs down the waistband of my jeans, grasping my ass as she proceeds to suck. It's some kind of sex miracle. First time she's done this – I think – and it's the best fucking blow job known to man.

It’s so stunningly good I’m about to lose it, but don’t want to. Tonight's for both of us. Grabbing both sides of her head, I force her to stop. “Enough.”

Her lips smack as they release my cock. “You don’t want more?”

“More, yes.” The pressure behind my cock is practically killing me. “I want to fuck you, Blue. My dick inside your pussy. Fast and hard. Now.”

“Please,” she whispers, helping me pull her dress over her head. “Hope you remembered the condoms.”

My jeans are down around my thighs. “In my pants pocket.”

She finds one, and as she rips it open, I unhook her bra. Her nipples are dark pink, shadows dancing across them in the fire's light.

Like they're calling me. I pull her forward to suck on one, flicking the hard nub with my tongue.

“I can’t put this on while you’re doing that!” she says.

I stop long enough to ask, “You can’t?”

“No-ohhh!”

Her answer becomes a moan as I take her other tit in my mouth. No stopping now.

I stick my hands inside her panties and push them over that perfect ass of hers. She shifts enough to get one leg free. All I need to work my fingers inside her. Her pussy is slick, wet, and my cock jolts instantly. It's killing me not to shred what's left of her panties and push the fuck in her.

Still, I work her folds, press her clit, twirl two fingers deep inside her. Love the way she groans, huskily calls me Eden, begs me to continue.

Too bad she's able to form too many words. I fix that, running my fingers deeper, finding the spot against her wall that makes her whole body arc like a cat in heat.

Ground zero. My fingers go wild, frigging her to Heaven.

Her breath comes faster and she pumps against my hand. Much as I’d love to make her cum right now, the pressure building at the base of my spine is too strong to ignore.

I give her nipple a final nibble before growling, “Now, Blue. Put that condom on.”

She’s nearly an old hand at rolling the condom over my cock, and a moment later, she’s straddling me, lowering her hot wet pussy over me.

It's almost so good I lose it. I’ve never fought back a climax this hard in my life.

Damn if it stops me from taking what's mine. Vigorously.

We both let out satisfying groans as I completely fill her, and then start moving. The friction shreds my soul. I grasp her hips, pulling her down, against every upwards thrust.

Faster and faster and faster and fuck!

We’re both so fucking close it’s painful.

She has her head thrown back, blue hair flying. Her body quakes. Lips frozen in a half-open pout as she shouts my name.

I thrust upwards, hard, and let out a bearish groan as her pussy clenches. Her body shudders as her climax lets loose.

My own hits so savagely I’m stunned.

Gloriously senseless as her pussy locks tight, sucking every last come jet out of my balls.

It’s so fucking good I’m lost to anything but her.

But this.

She collapses on top of me later, gasping for air. As breathless as she is, I hold her tight, my dick still buried inside her, until we're able to breathe again.

“Holy crap,” she says. “Eden, you beast.”

I laugh, kissing the top of her head, running my teeth playfully through a strand of hair.

She pushes off and kisses me as our bodies separate. I help her roll onto her back and then toss the condom in the fire.

“Won’t the bugs bite us out here?” she asks.

“Fire should keep most of them at bay. No ants. Only seen scorpions three or four times in all the years I've been here.” I roll over to lean across her. “If your worried, I’ll take top next round.”

She loops one arm around my neck and meets my lips for a slow kiss. “Okay.”

Each night with her gets better than the last. Something I’d never have believed possible if I hadn’t actually experienced it. We don't spend the whole night outside after all because a brief rain blows through.

Just enough to wake us so we move inside. The double bed encourages a quickie before we both drift away again. Exhausted.

* * *

“What are you grinning about?”

I set the cooler in the back of the truck. “Memories from last night.”

Her blush makes me laugh. This crazy, beautiful woman has two sides: kitten in the light of day and wild cat at night.

Wouldn’t have it any other way.

“This it?” I ask, taking the bag from her.

“Yeah, looks like everything.”

I shut the tailgate and tug her close for a kiss. “I try to get up here once a month.” Not sure exactly how to let her know I want her to join me, I ask, “Interested in coming up again sometime?”

She smiles before dropping her eyes to the ground. Fuck. The second the question left my mouth, I knew we had a problem. “Brent, we should talk about...”

“Us?”

She nods. “There can’t be an us. Not back home, anyway.”

I knew that's been on her mind the past few hours. The rules of the academy. Been like lead on mine, too. I take her hand and lead her back to the house for a final walk-through before locking the doors.

“Let’s not tempt trouble,” I say.

Lord knows I have enough of that waiting for me. Damned sure don’t need any more. Even though I know I’ll have to face my trouble, in full, head-on one day soon.

So will she if anyone at the school learns we've spent the weekend together. That’s the part that bothers me.

Her having to face career consequences – ridiculous. Whether she’s Nat’s teacher or not, it shouldn’t have anything to do with who she chooses to date.

And it’s not like we’re dating, but after this weekend, I won’t be able to go long without seeing her.

I'm still cursing inwardly as I make the final rounds. The house is in order, right down to the freshly made beds. We’d washed the linens while eating lunch.

“Ready?”

She nods and walks out the front door. I follow, locking the door, then take a hold of her hand as we head for the pickup.

It's a solemn ride home. We talk, but not about anything serious.

I know she’s worried, but refrain from telling her to stop.

“You can just drop me off at my apartment.” Blue looks at me as we enter the outskirts of Phoenix.

“You don’t want to see your ma when she drops Nat off?” Cleo and I made that our plan last night, that she’d drop my daughter off at my house at five this evening.

“I'll talk to her,” Blue says. “But then you’ll have to give me a ride home later and Natalie will probably be ready for bed.”

She’s right, damn it. I’m just not ready to be done yet. “I’m sure she won’t mind riding with to give you a ride home.”

Her gaze remains out the side window as she answers, “Probably not, but she’s had a busy weekend and needs a good night’s rest before school. She has art class tomorrow night, so it’ll be a long day for her. And me.”

She’s right about that part, too. I take the exit towards her apartment. Her car is in her parking space, and I pull up behind it since there aren’t any other open spaces.

“I’ll get your bag.”

“No need.” She opens her door. “I'm on it.”

I grab her arm as she’s climbing out. “I’m walking you up to your apartment, so there’s no use trying to stop me.”

She’s trying hard not to smile. “Fine.”

Because it’s still daylight and I have no idea who might be watching, I release her and open my door. I grab her bag out of the back and follow her to the door. Then up the stairs.

The hallway feels balmy as ever and I catch a whiff of something sour. Her nose wrinkles, too. “Christ, what is that?”

“Don’t know, never smelled it before,” she says. “But it stinks.”

“Almost smells like...rotten fish,” I say, as she’s unlocking her door.

The instant her door swings open, the stench assaults us full blast. Holy Moses.

We both cough, covering our mouths and noses with one hand. I push her aside to step in first, wondering what, or who, died in here.

Shit. It's not just a joke.

Both her large fish tanks are shattered. Shriveled and dead, fish and plants are scattered across the light-colored carpet.

Fuck. The Pearls.

I spin around at her gasp, then at the wall behind me because that’s where she’s staring, her eyes practically glued to it. A picture hangs above the couch, her and her mother.

Someone wrote TEASE, BITCH, WHORE on the wall, with arrows pointing towards Blue.

I fight the urge to put my fist through it.

“Jesus. You...you told me there was something dead in here,” she whimpers, still in shock.

“Dead's right,” another voice says.

I step forward and pull Blue against my chest before turning to the door. The old man from across the hall stands there, looking as ornery as before, as well as a younger guy, staring straight at Blue.

He steps forward. “Ms. Derby, are you all right?”

As I tighten my hold on Blue, a stab of jealousy hits me like no other. There's way too much concern, too much want on this man’s face for my liking. “Who the fuck are you?” I snarl.

Blue stiffens and pushes against my chest while taking a single step backwards. “He’s the building manager. Scott Riker.”

“I told you something was dead in here, Riker,” the old man repeats. “Been stinking like a damn latrine for the last two days.”

“Go back to your apartment, Mr. Barrett,” Riker says, but his gaze never leaves me. “Who are you?”

Keeping Blue close to my side, I say it loud and clear, “Her fiancé.”

Her eyes widen, but not in surprise.

More like they want to say not again.

Riker eyeballs me suspiciously, until he catches a glimpse of the wall behind me. “Whoa. What happened?”

“Obviously, the place was broken into.” With a gesture towards the door, I add, “Those ten dollar locks on the doors in this place can be shimmied open with a credit card.”

“Have you called the police?” Riker asks.

“We just walked in,” I point out.

“I’m calling them right now,” the old man says with a phone at his ear.

Riker spins around and grabs the man’s phone. “Give me that, please.” A moment later, he steps in the hall, “Yes, I need to report a break-in...”

“Did you hear anything? See anything?” I ask the old man.

“No, just got a whiff of something dead a few nights ago.” The old man points a thumb over his shoulder. “Called Riker. He said he’d check on it, but never did.”

Blue keeps trembling hard. I spin her around and escort her into the bedroom, away from the hell-stench. I give the room a solid once over before I lead her to the bed. The room looks untouched, so I sit her down, kneeling in front of her. “Breathe, Izzy. Just breathe.”

She nods, then shakes her head. “Who would do such a thing? My poor fish...”

I squeeze her hands. “The police will find out. I'll stay on them till they have answers.”

She closes her eyes and swallows hard. “There's only one person I can think of: Preston.”

I nod grimly, but wonder if it was really him, or the Pearls trying to get my full attention.

There’s a knock on the wall beside the open door. It’s Riker.

“Police are on their way. I’m going down a floor to see if there’s any ceiling damage in that apartment, but I’ll be right back.”

“Thank you,” Blue says with a meek smile.

I still don’t like how he looks at her, so remain silent until he leaves. Then, I nod towards her closet. “Pack your things.”

“What things?”

“Whatever you need,” I say, just as my phone rings. “You aren’t staying here.” Glancing at the phone, I tell her, “It’s your mother.”

“Don’t tell her!” Blue jumps to her feet. “Nothing, Brent. Not a thing. I'll never hear the end of it.”

I answer the phone and listen to Cleo explain they're running late and won’t have Natalie to my house until after six. I tell her that’s fine and hang up.

I gesture towards the closet again, certain Blue isn't done putting up a fight about where she's staying. “You either stay with me, or your mother. Your choice.”

She opens her mouth, but a shout from the other room interrupts her.

“You in there, the fiancé?” the old man says from the living room. “Come take a look at this.”

“Coming.” I tell her, “Start packing.”

“You can’t tell me what –”

“Blue?”

“Brent, it isn't –”

“Pack, babe. Now.”

She turns around in a huff.

“I’m only saying what the police will tell you.” Having already witnessed her hard-headedness, I add, “For your own safety, they’ll suggest you stay somewhere else for a few days. Common procedure.”

I walk out of the bedroom. In the living room, the old man stops near the remnants of the broken fish tanks. “Don’t touch anything,” I tell him.

“Yeah, yeah, I know better.” He points to the floor. “Look at the hammer laying there. Bet that’s what was used to smash the tanks. Pretty dumb to leave it behind, don’t you think?”

“That’s my hammer,” Blue says stepping up beside me. “Weird. It's usually in the kitchen drawer.”

I grab her arm as she starts walking forward. “We can’t touch anything in here until the police arrive.” Glancing around, I notice the lamps are on. Even weirder.

I hadn’t flipped any switches. I'm sure of it. And I walked in before her, so she hadn’t either, which means whoever did this, did it at night.

My stomach knots at the thought of what may have happened had she been home. Last week, after realizing I couldn’t keep following her, I’d paid one of Juan’s cousins to, but only until she’d arrived home for the night.

“I have to clean up this mess,” she says. “The entire building will start stinking.”

“I’ll send over a crew first thing in the morning,” I say. Looking her in the eye, I ask, “So, which is it, Blue? Your mother’s place or mine?”