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The niggling sense to say fuck it all and take her home, especially after this conversation, has been rocky at best and is becoming stronger by the moment. I’ve always imagined that when I tell her I’m in love with her, it would be in private, probably in bed right before I got to slide into her. Having to delay the celebrations of us admitting our feelings is a buzzkill, but this is necessary.
“Stop telling him what he needs to do. He’s trying to figure it out.” Mom cuts Dad a stern look. “That’s why you were out so late last night.”
She’s got him on a leash she’s about to pull. I know it. And I also know she saw us going into the guesthouse as she watched from her window.
“You think I don’t know what kind of danger is lurking out there? It came into my girlfriend’s house while we were sleeping, right there on the other side of the wall.” My voice is getting hysterical. “You want me to go blast that on Newton Street and send the town into hysteria?”
Cassandra and I filled everyone in on what has been going on, much to their utter shock and fear. Watching my sister rush to my girlfriend’s side was a small reprieve, and the way my mother promised to keep us safe as if it were in her ultimate power, wasn’t too bad either. But Dad has been sitting there looking red-faced and stubborn.
“No, that’s what we’re not going to do,” Liam agrees with me. “And you’ve already filed a report with the police?”
Cassandra nods. “Not that it was much help. They didn’t take me seriously at all.”
“Figures.” Warren rolls his eyes.
Not that the department in Hope Crest is bad, but they don’t deal with a lot of crime. Some of the guys we went to high school with work there, and they aren’t the most reliable characters. Especially after I’ve seen with my own two eyes what Nikolai is doing about Cassandra’s case.
“She hired a private investigator. He hasn’t had much time on the case, seeing as this even more threatening attack only happened last night. And whoever it was slipped the security footage that was set up on her property.” I squeeze her hand where I have it resting on my leg.
Cassandra shakes her head. “He didn’t. Everything happened here …” She trails off, looking at my father, “Before I could tell you. The security company hadn’t started running the feed on my property. It was a mistake.”
“You’re fucking kidding me.” My blood is boiling, because how could they fuck that up.
Mom’s eyes grow worried, and she directs them to the woman I love. “Oh honey, I’m so sorry you went through that. I can’t imagine how scary and violating that was for both of you. To think that …”
She breaks off and looks away, and I notice Dad smooth a lock of hair behind her ear for comfort.
“So we can’t go to the cops. Can’t inform people there is a mad man on the loose. What do you suggestourfamily does?”
I don’t miss the way he’s clearly excluding Cassandra, and I’m done with it.
“Well, Dad, I’m going to protect the woman I love, yes,lovewith all my heart, if it’s the last thing I do. If you give a shit about me or any of that, then you’ll get on board real quick.”
Someone gasps, and I think Liam’s jaw might be on the floor. We’re obedient kids. We were taught never to disrespect our parents. For good reason, they’re typically fair and wonderful people. But he is seeing red when it comes to Cassandra, and my patience has run dry.
Dad looks like I’ve punched him in the face and is probably so shocked I stood up to him that he can’t fathom a response.
“It’s settled. You’ll stay at the guesthouse.” Mom’s head bobs like she’s already made the decision for us all.
“I couldn’t possibly intrude—” Cassandra holds up her hands before Alana bulldozes right over her.
“Stop it, we’re not playing that game. You’re one of us now. It might be fast, but my brother is clearly obsessed with you, and he’d be stupid not to be. We protect those closest to us.”
“She’s right. I would feel better if you were near Mom and Dad. I can put up some extra cameras, I already have some watching the crops. More traps like the animal ones I have, you’ll just have to be careful if you walk around at dusk. If there is anything I can help with, you let me know.” Liam’s voice is stoic, but I know it’s a huge show of support the way he says all of it.
I nod appreciatively at my brother, but my head whips to the side as soon as I hear a choked sob.”
“You’re all really … very … nice.” Cassandra hiccups and I can see she’s trying to keep it together. “It hasn’t been easy being back here, and now with the threats, the break-ins … I just …”
I hug her to me, pressing my palm to her cheek as I press the other side of her face to my chest and try to shush her to calm down.
“We’re not going to let anything happen to you.” Warren meets my eyes as they pass over everyone sitting around the table.
At the same second, my heart is breaking, it’s also being strengthened to the point of a steel coat wrapping around the organ. Because my family is not going to let anyone mess with Cassandra, and that feels like a huge step.
My gaze snags on Dad; his eyes are zeroed in on Cassandra, trying to control her breathing as she presses her cheek to my shoulder. While he doesn’t look as angry, he does look skeptical, but I guess improvement will happen gradually.
“I won’t let anything happen to you.” I press a soft kiss to her forehead.
