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I meet his eyes, seeing nothing but fierce determination there.
“We can handle ourselves,” he says simply. “We’ll keep you safe.”
“Maybe you guys should—”
“We’re not going anywhere,” he says firmly, pulling me against his chest.
Nodding, I lean into his touch, a lump lodged in my throat, but as I hear Cole explain what happened to the dispatcher, as the scent of copper fills the crisp air, I’m terrified I’ll lose them.
Chapter Twenty-Two
LILY
After being delayed by a crash in town, the police finally showed up. They’ve been here for hours. From surveying the site, reading my messages, taking statements from all of us, and now searching the yard, they’ve chased the daylight away. The flashing red and blue lights cast eerie shadows across the yard as the sun sets, making the familiar trees look menacing. I’ve always loved the woods, nothing but trees surrounding me for miles, but every shadow now looms with unknown dangers.
The sympathetic look on the officer’s face doesn’t make her words any less terrifying. “I know this is hard to hear, but based on the escalation we’re seeing, I really think you’re dealing with a dangerous stalker. These things tend to get worse, not better.”
My stomach churns as I nod, and I wrap my arms tighter around myself. The cool evening air cuts through my cardigan, but the chill I’m experiencing comes from somewhere much deeper.
“Is there anyone you can think of who might do something like this? An ex-boyfriend, maybe? Someone who’s shown obsessive behavior?”
Matt’s face flashes in my mind immediately. The photos on my phone. His explosive anger when he found me here. “My ex, Matt,” I say quietly. “He’s been angry about me staying here with his friends.”
She studies me, mind whirring. “Angry how?”
I grimace. “Calling me names. Showing up here to cuss me out.” I shrug. “Usual break up stuff.”
She frowns. “That’s not usual, but okay.” The officer jots something down in her notepad. “Have you documented any of the harassment?”
Heat floods my cheeks. Is that what Matt is doing? People are hurt in breakups and it makes them do weird things but harassment? I mean, Matt did go out of his way to come to the house to berate me in front of the guys.
“Uh, no, I’ve mostly been trying to ignore him. I thought he’d move on.” A hard line forms between my eyebrows. “Should I have reported it?”
She sighs. “Situations like this are complicated, especially with someone you had a relationship with.” She closes her notepad, expression serious. “Given what we’ve found here tonight and what you’re telling me about your ex’s behavior, I strongly recommend that you and your friends consider staying somewhere else until we can investigate further. I’m not saying he’s guilty. He is a suspect, though.”
The words steal my breath. We have to leave? This place has become home to me. The thought of leaving fills me with panic, like as soon as I find somewhere else to stay, the spell will break and the guys will decide they’re done with our little fling. But it’s more than that, isn’t it? It has to be.
“These things can escalate quickly and become very dangerous,” the officer continues, glancing toward the car where officers are still searching for evidence, though I’m only half listening now. “We don’t want to take any chances.”
Numbness trickles through my limbs and I follow her gaze. None of this is real. It can’t be. It’s like I’m watching someone else’s life implode.
The officer turns back to me. “I’ll be in touch once we process everything here. In the meantime, please be careful. I want to make sure you understand the danger is very real.”
Swallowing, I clear my dry throat. “I understand.”
With a satisfied but grim nod, she heads back toward the other officers who are photographing the car and searching the yard for footprints or any other evidence. The sight makes my stomach lurch all over again.
“Lily!”
Callie and Aspen rush across the yard; their faces are etched with worry. The guys must have texted them. Before I can even open my mouth to explain, they’re pulling me into a fierce group hug that immediately breaks down all the walls I’ve been trying to maintain.
“Oh, honey, are you okay?” Aspen’s voice is soft with concern as she rubs my back.
The tears I’ve been holding back finally spill over. All the fear and anger and violation I’ve been trying to be strong about comes pouring out in ugly, gasping sobs against their shoulders. There’s something horrifying about the officer’s reaction. Before, I managed to convince myself that the texts and pictures weren’t a big deal. Seeing that concern and fear etched into her face? That rattled me to the core.
“I’m so scared,” I whisper between tears.
“We’ll figure out who did this.” Callie’s voice is sharp with fury.
