Page 123 of Twins for Three Bad Boys

He turns back to the screens. “I’ll dig into the ex. Financial records, if I can. ISP logs. Maybe see if he’s sloppy on social media.

“Quietly,” I add.

He snorts. “Fletcher, my entire brand is plausible deniability.”

I stand.

“If this guy’s messing with her,” Pike continues, almost casually, “I’ll find it.”

There’s something reassuring about how calm he is.

As I leave, I hear him mutter, “Honestly, if you’re going to villainize a kindergarten teacher, at least be competent.”

Despite everything, I almost smile.

If it’s the ex, we can deal with him.

If it’s not…

No.

I push the thought down.

I’ve seen June when she doesn’t know she’s being watched. Whatever this is, it doesn’t fit her.

But I need proof. And I need it soon.

If someone thinks they can scare her out of this town… they’ve clearly underestimated who they just irritated.

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

June

Wayne gets home just after six.

I hear his truck before I see him, that low familiar rumble settling into the driveway. Evan lights up instantly from the living room floor.

“Dad!”

I dry my hands on a towel and brace myself for the inevitable tension that’s to come.

Wayne steps inside, smelling of engine oil and outside air. His eyes find mine for half a second.

Too much in that look.

Evan barrels into him and starts talking about dinosaurs and river plans and something involving glue. Wayne listens. He always listens.

I hover in the kitchen longer than I need to.

Everything feels fragile. Like if I sit down, something will crack.

“I’m going to take a walk,” I say lightly. “Just for a bit.”

Wayne studies me. “You okay?”

“Yes,” I answer too quickly.

He doesn’t push.