Page 42 of Chasin’s Surrender

“We’re not taking that chance. There’s plenty of room at the farmhouse. The property’s secluded. The only two neighbors are Nixon and Weston, which means privacy. Holden also lives on the property which means an extra set of eyes. Genevieve can go outside without the chance of someone seeing her and she doesn’t have to be locked indoors with curtains drawn. And there’s space for both of you to work.”

Chasin took a moment to take in Genevieve. When he’d come into the house earlier, he was surprised to find Jameson hadn’t exaggerated. He could hear Genevieve’s laughter from the front of the house. His chest had seized, hearing the sound he hadn’t heard from her since their weekend together.

It was real, it came from her belly, and it was full of wild abandon—the same way she’d laughed with him.

Fuck, he’d missed that sound.

Looking at Genevieve now, Chasin was pleased Jameson’s assessment was also correct, it seemed like she and Bobby had worked out whatever had come between them.

“Do you really think it’s necessary?” Genevieve’s soft voice took him by surprise.

“I do,” Chasin answered. “I already don’t like how visible this house is. Anyone on the public dock can see the front lawn. A passing boater can see into the front windows. You can’t sit up on the widow’s walk because patrons from the restaurant a block over have a clear line of sight.”

“But they’re so far away they wouldn’t be able to tell it’s me. Just that someone is here,” she argued.

“Maybe. But I’m not worried about people, I’m worried about the sick fuck who’s stalking you.”

“Do you think he knows I’m here? I mean in this house?”

Chasin was momentarily taken by surprise. Clearly, Genevieve was still not understanding the severity of her situation or the lengths a stalker would go to get their fix.

“Babe. He knows you’re in Maryland.”

“But you think he knows about my uncle’s house?”

“You’ve been here for two weeks. You weren’t even gone a week before the first letter was delivered to your home, warning you he knew you weren’t there.”

“Warning me?”

Christ.

Chasin didn’t want to do it but he had no choice. Once and for all, Genevieve had to understand who they were dealing with.

“Yes, warning. He needs you to know he has knowledge of your whereabouts. He craves the connection he’s convinced himself the two of you share. Before you left Tennessee, he believed you wronged him. He’s sent gifts, letters, pictures of wedding rings. Since you didn’t respond, he now feels humiliated and rejected. Before, he was expressing his devotion to you—as jacked as it is, he wanted you to know he loved you. Now, he wants you to know he’s chasing you. There’s no hiding from him.

“And, babe, it shits me to tell you this, but he craves the connection, he won’t go long without it. He’s shown he’s willing to put a fair amount of effort and money into following you. He is going to find out you’re in Kent County and he will come here. No doubt about it. Our job is to make sure when he gets here, you’re protected and safe. And by that I mean, he will not get to you and I will keep you safe. To make that job easier, I want you out at the farm. No one has any business being out there.”

“He’s gonna come here?”

The wobble and uncertainty in Genevieve’s voice made the left side of Chasin’s chest tight. He hated that she was scared but needed her to understand the threat.

He pushed off the counter he’d been leaning against and made his way to her, grabbed her hand, and pulled her out of the chair. Once she was standing, his hands went to her face. He tipped it up and their eyes locked.

Fear and confusion were two things that never had a place in her pretty face, yet both were clear and unbridled.

“He’s not going to get to you,” he promised.

“But he’s coming here?” she whispered.

“Yeah, honey, he’s gonna come here. His compulsion won’t allow him to stay away.”

“But—”

“I’m gonna keep you safe.”

“And Bobby?”

“And Bobby.”