Page 87 of Shallow Remains

“Fine.” Her heart squeezed when he paused to tuck the covers around her. It was impossible not to fall for him, even with all her emotional baggage screaming at her to be cautious and protect herself. “When will you be back?” They were going to Blaine’s house to stay for the next few days at least.

“Around suppertime, I think. I’ll text you once I’ve got a better idea.”

“Kay.” She yawned. Cuddled into the little cocoon he’d wrapped her in. “Be safe.”

“I will.” He kissed her forehead. The shower started moments later.

The sound of the rushing water immediately triggered the memory of the hose, but only for a moment. It was easier to block it now. All she had to do was think of him, and the fear receded.

Eyes closed, she focused on her surroundings. The softness of the mattress beneath her. The delicious warmth of the bedding. The rush of the shower that was becoming soothing. Because she knew Lachlan was standing under it. Naked.

She drifted off, partially resurfaced when he pressed a kiss to the top of her head and murmured to her.

“Sleep well, gorgeous. I’ll set the alarm on my way out.”

She nodded and slipped back under. When she opened her eyes next, the room was brighter. A steady rain drummed against the roof and pattered the window above the bed.

After a long, hot shower, she put on a pair of stretchy leggings, a cozy thigh-length sweater, and thick wool socks before heading downstairs. His home was so comfortable.

In the kitchen filled with natural light, she made herself a cup of tea and toast with the marionberry jam she found in the cupboard, then took them to the sofa, where she responded to some texts from Blaine. He and Xanthe were already over on the mainland for meetings with the Seattle aquarium researchers.

Won’t be home for at least a couple days. Planning on spending a night or two at my mom’s place. All good there?

Yep, she responded. Staying at your place starting tonight. Have fun.

After finishing her breakfast, she prioritized the work she wanted to get done before Lachlan came home. She would finish up the job she was currently working on for Blaine, then build a solid and more functional website for Lachlan. He worked so hard and shouldered so much responsibility on his own. Hopefully her efforts would make his life a little bit easier.

Rain continued to pour outside while she worked, the wind light but gusty, pushing the solid mass of clouds across the sky. She loved the sound of it and how snug and cozy it was inside, but she missed her music and having the rest of the world blocked out.

She eyed the headphones sitting in the top of her open backpack next to the coffee table. She always used them when she worked but had held off since the break-in at the cottage, and still didn’t feel safe enough to use them while she was alone here.

But music helped her relax and focus, increased her productivity. Even without noise-cancelling headphones.

She settled her laptop on her thighs and started her favorite playlist. The instant the first note started, the familiarity of it relaxed her, and the outside world fell away.

Her nervous system sighed in relief, and she started on her latest assignment. She was in the zone now, immersed in the notes and lyrics of Loreena McKennitt’s “The Highwayman” as she tackled the first page of code.

She missed the almost soundless click of the front door opening and closing. The nearly silent treads across the floor as they came up behind her.

She didn’t have any warning until the last split second when a quick blur of motion made her start to whip her head around.

A hood jerked down over her head, plunging her world into darkness.

She grabbed at it, choked on a scream of raw terror when an arm locked around the front of her throat. Maddy clawed at it, desperately trying to rip it free.

Bright spots of color burst against the darkness engulfing her. Loreena continued to sing the haunting song about a doomed highwayman and his lover through her laptop speaker.

The pressure around her throat suddenly eased. She dragged in a choked breath as her arms were yanked behind her.

“Where’s the thumb drive with the passkey?” a female voice hissed at her ear.

Maddy shook her head, shock giving way to raw fear. “W-what?”

“The fucking passkey you brought back from Syria.”

She started to shake her head again. Cried out when the woman wrenched her arms up, the sharp, unnatural angle sending pain forking through her shoulder joints.

“Answer me, bitch.”