Page 74
“You don’t have to send anyone.” Reaching inside the cabinet, I begin removing the assortment of hair sprays, nail polish removers and face masks, until the door to my safe is clear from obstruction. I begin punching in the combination, as a low chuckle sounds in my ear.
“Is that a safe I hear? My clever girl.”
A lopsided smile forms across my face.
“Yes. It is. Most home invasions result in being put in the bathroom, didn’t you know?” The door to the safe pops open. Pulling out my pistol, I shut the door and make my way back to the tub.
“I never knew facts about home safety could sound so fucking hot.”
“I’ll remember that next time I want to seduce you.”
Ethan groans. Despite my anxiety, I feel almost giddy at the thought of being able to tease him so easily.
“Now is not the time for those words, woman. Especially when I’m not there to do anything about it.”
I step into the bubbles, setting the gun down on the side table. Unease still creeps in at the edges of my thoughts. I like my private space to remain private. The thought of another person invading it makes me seethe. Not to mention, I don’t know who it is. My mind wanders to the same unease I felt on the street last night. At least my gun offers a line of defense in this moment.
A small part of me wonders if it’s the same person. It feels too similar to be coincidental. My shoulders slump, and I glide into the warm water.
“Ethan…”
“Hmmm?”
His comforting rumble wraps around me like a blanket. Soft and warm yet tight and firm.
“I think someone is following me.” I let out the confession on a whisper. The other end of the line goes silent for a moment too long. “Ethan, are you there?”
“Yes.” He sighs. “I was thinking the same thing. Who do you think it is?”
Only one person jumps to mind.
“I think we both know who it is.”
“Can I ask you something?” His terse tone softens. “Don’t hunt until I get back. Just wait. Please?”
“I can’t just not recon my spot. I’m on a timeline.”
“Fight with me on anything else you bloody well want, but not this.”
The concern edged in his voice softens my resolve. I may not be a fan of taking orders, but I won’t disparage his genuine concern.
“All right. I’ll wait.” His audible sigh of relief on the other end of the line has my lips tilting up in a small smirk.
“I looked over the video footage and didn’t see any activity markers, but I’m going to scrub through it tonight just in case I’ve missed something.”
With how anal he is, I’d place money on not a thing being missed.
“Thank you.” My voice cracks with apprehension over the whole situation.
“You know how you can make it up to me?” His voice drops low to a suggestively smooth baritone.
“I feel like I’m going to regret asking this, but how?”
“We can go back to discussing the seduction techniques you intend to perform on me.”
“The gun next to my bed has home defense ammo in it.”
“Fuck. The image of you holding a gun while you speak of its virtues is too much to bear…”
