“Thanks,” she said quietly.
“For what?”
“For being here.”
I didn’t answer.
I couldn’t.
If I said anything, it would come out wrong.Too much.Too honest.
Instead, I jerked my chin toward the door.“Come on.You need fresh air.”
She followed me outside onto the small back porch behind the clubhouse.
Shay wrapped her arms around herself.“It’s peaceful.”
“For now,” I said.“The haunted house is going to start up next weekend, along with the ghost boat tours.We’re working on getting eyes on every inch of the island before then.People in town are starting to talk about us being shut down, so we need to get back to looking like business as usual.And when we do open, you don’t go out here without me.”
She glanced over.“You guys are going to open up even with that crazy person out there?”she asked.
“We don’t have much choice,” I sighed.“We don’t need the cops sniffing around here.We’re going to catch the psycho doing this.”
“But what if….”
“What?”
Shay sighed.“What if… what if this person hurts someone else before you guys figure it out?Don’t you think the police could help?Handle this quickly?”
I shook my head.“We’re cordial with the police, but we don’t want them sniffing around the island.This is happening to the club, so it’s club business.Once you cross over the bridge, we are the police.”My voice dropped low.Rough.Certain.“This asshole is going to regret messing with the club and with you.”
Shay swallowed.“Because… I’m club business?”
“No,” I said.“Because you’re mine to protect.”
Her breath stuttered.
“You don’t even know me,” she said.
“I know enough.”
She shook her head slightly, like she wasn’t sure if she should step closer or run.“Prime,” she whispered, “I’m scared.”
“I know,” I said.“But I’m not.”
She blinked.“You’re not?”
“No,” I said.“Because you’re here.And I’m here.And nothing’s getting past me.”
The wind shifted and blew her hair across her cheek.She tucked it back, eyes still on mine, full of a trust I didn’t deserve but would die to protect.
I didn’t touch her.
Didn’t kiss her.
Didn’t cross a line we weren’t ready for.
But the air between us felt charged, alive, like something was waking up.
