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Lukus wondered when she’d put it together. “I don’t want you to worry. You’ve just stopped having your nightmares, and I didn’t want to dredge up all of the Jake shit again until we have him behind bars.”
She was physically shaking now. “And you don’t? Have him in jail, I mean?”
He wished he could give her a better answer. “Not yet, but we’re working on it. I’ve got my best man out in California picking up the trail now. It won’t be long, I promise.”
“So, if he’s in California, why worry about guards here in Chicago?”
He hated to say it, but he wouldn’t lie. “Because we’ve temporarily lost him. We’ll get eyes on him again soon. For now, you’re safe here, and Brianna is safely locked down at their house for the next few days.”
Her voice fluttered. “So, is it possible he’s in Chicago?”
“I doubt it, but technically, I guess the answer is yes. He’s had enough time to make it back here.”
Tears spilled down her cheeks.
“Tiff, I promise you,” he said, “you’re safe here with me. There are so many locks between the alley and the loft. There’s no fucking way he’s gonna get to you. I promise.”
When she only cried harder, Lukus held her tight. He didn’t understand her fear. “Tiff, come on now. You’re taking this too hard.”
“No, I’m not. It was him,” she spat through her tears.
“Who was him?”
“Jake.” Her crying was coming harder.
“You’re not making any sense.”
“Today. After we got in the car, and CJ was pulling away from The Beauty Box, I saw a man step out from behind the pillar right next to the front door. At first, I just saw a flash, but he looked familiar. Then he stepped out, and I knew.”
“Knew what?” Lukus’s heart rate was ramping up with fear. He wasn’t sure he wanted to hear her answer.
“It was him, Lukus. The more I think back on it, it was exactly like him. I may have been pretty far away, but the way he stood there, watching us driving away with his arms crossed. He was so fucking cocky, just like Jake. He was mocking us that he could get that close.”
Lukus was furious. “What the fuck? Why didn’t CJ call this in? We should have been throwing a net over the area and picking him up.”
He saw his answer in her eyes. Her fear morphed to anger as she replied. “I didn’t tell CJ what I saw, but maybe I would have if you’d been honest with me, and told me what’s going on. At the time, I had no idea it could be him. Only after I was thinking about it did I start putting the puzzle pieces together.”
He wanted to be angry at her, but fear of how close Davenport had come to the woman he loved clashed with anger. Once again, the sadistic bastard had been one step ahead of them. He released Tiff and paced the kitchen, weighing his next move.
Lukus grabbed his phone, punching out a text alert with this new information to his whole team. He then sent a note to Markus, making sure he was on his highest alert. He also contacted Cameron, who was working on finding Jake’s trail through his cell phone and credit cards.
After ten minutes of hurried communications, Lukus refocused on Tiffany. If anything, she looked worse than before.
“What do you say we go work off some of our frustrations over Davenport on the basketball court? I’ve practiced shooting hoops a few times in hopes I’m gonna be able to beat you next time.” He was trying to make her laugh, but she didn’t even crack a smile. That was when he remembered she’d said she had several things upsetting her.
He moved close. “Come on. Wrap your arms around my neck. Your legs around my waist.” Tiff followed his directions. He picked her up, cradling her tightly, moving them towards the great room.
“Wait, Lukus. We didn’t even pick up the dinner dishes.”
“Who gives a fuck? We have more important things to worry about.”
“Like?”
“Like you telling me what else has you upset.” He sat in his favorite chair with the awesome view of the Chicago skyline. Their city was lit up brightly on a Saturday night. He dropped his feet onto the ottoman, holding her close on his lap, facing him.
She tried to look away. He used his finger to pull her to face him. She tried to close her eyes. He reminded her that was not allowed. “Open.” She slowly complied. “Now. Talk to me.”
Silence.
