It’s not that Alexei owes me every secret. It’s that this danger keeps getting closer, and he keeps standing between me and the truth.
Jules rubs my arm gently. “For what it’s worth, that man looks at you like he’d burn the whole damn world down before lettin’ anybody touch you.” He sighs deeply. “And so would I, honey.”
My stomach clenches because deep down, I already know. That’s exactly what scares me.
I glance out the office window again at volunteers setting up tents. Somewhere down the hallway, one of the puppies starts shrieking with excitement over absolutely nothing. I feel like my nerves got stretched too tight sometime during the last two days, and I’m praying they don’t snap.
Jules expression softens even more. “Mags.”
I exhale and drag both hands down my face. “I’m tired, Jules.”
“I know.”
“No, I mean really tired.” I lean back against the desk, struggling to take a deep breath. “I hate walkin’ around blind. Every conversation feels half-finished lately, like people keep hidin’ pieces from me because they think I can’t handle them.”
Jules goes quiet, which tells me he’s more worried than he wants me to see.
“There’s more,” I admit.
His eyes narrow. “What do you mean more?”
I push away from the desk and start pacing the small room, hugging myself tight.
“Maggie.”
“I didn’t tell you yesterday because everythin’ already felt insane enough,” I admit. “But after the break-in…” I let out a small breath. “I found one of Ivy’s drawings inside my mailbox.”
His forehead creases instantly. “What do you mean?”
“She made it here at the shelter last week. A picture of flowers, the sun, and the puppy.”
“And somebody took it durin’ the break-in?”
“I think so.”
“Oh, hell no.” Jules curses under his breath.
I nod. “There was writing on it.” My throat seizes and I swallow hard. “Somebody wrote SHE DOESN’T BELONG TO YOU across the front in black marker.”
Silence crashes through the office. Jules stares at me like the air got punched straight out of his lungs.
“You’re jokin’.”
“I wish I was.”
“Maggie…” His voice drops lower now, his expression thick with concern. “Why in God’s name didn’t you tell me this yesterday?”
“Because Alexei already looked ready to kill somebody after I showed him.” Frustration rises all over again. “And honestly? I think I was tryin’ not to completely lose my mind.”
Jules rubs his mouth and paces across the tiny office. “That goes way beyond somebody tryin’ to scare you.”
“Yeah.” My stomach twists harder. “That’s what actually scares me.”
“What did Alexei say?”
“That he’d handle it.”
Jules snorts. “Well, that’s comfortin’.”
