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“It’s best if you don’t have details.” I readily agree to that and just let out a breath of relief.
It’s only another minute before my phone starts ringing and I know right away that it’s Noah.
“Anya,” he sounds so relieved and happy on the other end I can’t help the small smile that lifts my lips. “They’re okay. The police just received a call that someone found them wandering Charleston alone. They’re on their way back to me now.”
“Noah, that’s wonderful!” I glance around, needing validation that I sound completely natural right now. Tanner gives me a comforting smile and head nod, encouraging me to continue. “Take a few days and spend time with your kids, but when you’re ready, give me a call. We’ll make sure nothing like this happens again.” Noah quickly agrees and thanks me again before hanging up. Judging by the look on Alec’s face, I don’t think Noah will actually need me anymore, but obviously Noah doesn’t know that yet.
“He doesn’t actually need a lawyer anymore, does he?” All three men look at me with impassive expressions, but it’s Tanner that answers me.
“His kids are safe. That’s all that matters.” There’s a small part of me that wants to argue with him, to demand more information. But I’m also aware that everything they keep from me is for my own good. I’m a lawyer, and I’m technically obligated by law to report any crimes I’m aware of. Of course, I already toe that line. So instead of asking for more information, I just nod my head.
Once Alec gets word that the rest of his men are on their way back, he gives me permission to head home. I hate the fact that I have to get permission from my brother just to leave his house, but I’m too tired to argue about it. A half an hour later, I’m climbing the steps to my apartment with Hunter right on my heels. The moment we get to the door though, my body freezes. My eyes hone in on the piece of paper hanging from my front door with a knife just like the one from last time. A loud, angry growl comes from the huge man standing right behind me.
He’s quick to step in front of me and unlock my front door. He pulls a gun out from who-knows-where and steps inside my apartment. Stand right there. He moves me to stand against the wall next to my door before he slowly makes his way through my apartment with his gun poised and ready. He’s back only a couple of minutes later with his phone against his ear. I don’t hear him say anything, but he’s obviously listening to someone on the other end. He grabs a Ziplock back from my kitchen and goes back to open the door. I watch as he pulls the knife and note and puts them in the bag.
“Let’s go.” Is all he says before leading me back out the door and out to his car. The drive back to HQ is not just quiet, it’s completely and utterly silent. The silence is completely deafening and it’s killing me.
“Are we going to talk abou-”
“No.” The single word is sharp and much louder than I would have expected. But the message is loud and clear. Instead of attempting again, I just huff back in my seat and shake my head. Clearly whatever I thought we had, I was wrong. It’s becoming more and more clear that our night together was just a one night thing. Whatever possessive and protectiveness he seems to have over me is strictly because he was ordered to by my brother. It’s a hard pill to swallow, but I can’t say I’m exactly surprised. I started to convince myself that I was completely wrong about Hunter not liking me, and he just finally stopped fighting it. Having him so quickly dismiss me and what we shared the other night is a total kick to the gut, but also a hard slap back to reality. But it’s a slap I needed, and I won’t forget it again.
* * *
“How the hell is there nothing on the cameras?” Alec growls, and the tension in the room is so heavy it’s almost stifling.
“There is something,” Tanner says, almost as if he’s irritated. “But the person is covered head-to-toe. We can’t see his face.”
“So he knew the cameras were there?” This time it’s Collins that asks and he sounds just as perplexed as the rest of us.
“It’s the only logical explanation. Of course, we don’t actually know what he was dressed like the first time so for all we know he’s been covered every time he’s left these little gifts.”
“I want three men down there to do a full sweep. Search for anything that could indicate who this person is. Tanner, have you checked any surrounding cameras around their office?”
“They all came up empty. None of them are aimed directly at the front of Anya and Willow’s building and anyone that popped up surrounding it didn’t show up on any of our databases.” That answer seems to appease Alec, but you can still see and hear his irritation.
“I want to look over it, see if anyone stands out to me. Maybe this is a retaliation thing.” It never occurred to me that whoever this is could possibly be connected to Alec. It seems unlikely, but I’m sure Alec has his suspicions for a reason.
“It could be someone I’ve gone up against in court.” Tanner looks at me and nods.
“I’ll broaden the search.”
“Until then,” Alec says, pulling my attention back to him. “I want you gone. I don’t feel comfortable having you around until we figure out who the hell is after you.”
“What do you mean gone?” My hackles rise.
“Hunter has to take off for a few days, you’ll go with him.”
My gaze snaps over to Hunter who has straightened up from his position against the wall. It’s obvious that he wasn’t aware of this change of plans. I didn’t know he was leaving, but I guess it doesn’t matter if I knew or not. He doesn’t need to check in with me. But apparently now I’m going with him. I don’t even know where he’s going.
“I can’t just leave, Alec.”
“Yes, you can.” His voice is low and angry and it’s the tone that I know better than to argue with. I hurry and mentally go through my current cases, trying to work out if I have to have any in person meetings this week. My next court date isn’t for two weeks, but I will have to meet with my client ahead of time.
“Fine. But I have to be back by next Wednesday.” He gives me a sharp nod, then changes the subject. I glance back over at Hunter, and just as I suspected, his growl is firmly in place.
Yep, he’s definitely pissed.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
