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I turn the package over, searching for an address, but there’s nothing. No identifying markings, or hints, as to who left it.
I try to shake off an uneasy feeling. This thing with Scott is making me paranoid.
NINE
Kaye
Since the pizza’snot here yet, I make good use of my time. I trot upstairs and duck inside my old room, Rosalie’s room now. The net sum of her possessions sit on my bed. A small suitcase plus a few designer bags filled with new clothes.
There are just a few of my things left in the closet that need relocation downstairs. I fill my arms with clothes on hangers and a couple pair of shoes. On my way down, the doorbell rings.
“One second,” I call out, then rush to dump my things on Barbi’s bed.
This time, when I answer the door, a delivery driver waits with enough pizza to feed a small army.
“Wow. Thanks.” I give him the tip, and with pizzas in hand, I climb the stairs and head to the fire escape.
“Pizza’s here,” I call out, needing help. Paul climbs down the fire escape and grabs the pizzas. Suddenly, the front door slams shut and I jump at the sound.
“Everything okay?” Paul looks at me eager to help.
“I think I left the front door open.” Although, I’m almost positive I shut the door, but I’ve been wrong before. “I’ll be right up. Just want to make sure it’s locked.”
“Sounds good, but hurry, the sun’s about ready to set.”
“Will do. Be up in a jiffy.” I leave Paul to the pizzas and head back downstairs. Indeed, the front door is open. Which doesn’t make sense. I thought I heard it slam shut.
When I look out at the street, everything appears quiet and peaceful. An old man walks his small ankle biter of a dog a block away. A group of high schoolers laughs and smokes a few houses down. Everything looks completely normal.
For some reason, however, my attention snags on a figure down the street, hanging outside the corner store. Dressed head to toe in black, he’s trying not to be seen. Our gazes connect for a fraction of a second before he turns away, but in that second of contact a strange feeling overcomes me. It’s that heebie-jeebies kind of feeling that screamsdanger.
Just as I’m ready to go back inside, however, a very familiar SUV pulls up at the curb. Rafe, Hayes, Alec, and Zeb all pile out of the vehicle. My heart quickens when Zeb looks at me. He runs his fingers through his hair, giving it that tousled bedhead look like he just rolled out of bed.
And now, I’m thinking about him in bed.
“Hey, sunshine.” Rafe gives me a quick hug.
“I thought you were called away for a mission?”
“Was a short op,” Hayes explains. Like Rafe, he pulls me in for a hug, then continues past me like he owns the place. “Where is everyone?” He pokes his head outside, asking me.
“On the roof.” I take a step back, letting the large men into the townhouse. Zeb is last and when he’s beside me, my heart kicks into overdrive.
“Miss me?” His left brow arches and the corner of his mouth lifts in a grin.
“Was I supposed to?” There’s a little squeak in my voice.
“I missed you.” His tone turns sexy and his eyes smolder with desire.
The combination of that tone of voice, those eyes, and his innate magnetism, creates a potent mix that makes my head spin.
“Everyone is on the roof. There’s wine and pizza.” There’s something about Zeb that makes my stomach flutter, my heart pound, and my words trip all over themselves.
“Interesting combination. What about beer?”
“None of us drink beer. Sorry.”
Why do I feel bad about that?
