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“Not necessarily.” Finn meets Cash’s gaze. “It will just take longer. Leo—” He pauses, turning to me and explaining, “Leo’s our tech guy. He’s going to go through security footage in the vicinity—traffic cameras, neighboring security systems, CCTV—he’ll pour through them to track the shooter’s movements.”
A spurt of optimism chases the chill running through me. “You can find someone that way?”
“We’re going to try,” Finn answers. “It’s not certain; there are a lot of variables, but there’s a good chance we will. In the meantime”—he looks back at Cash—“we’ll increase surveillance on your property.”
Cash leans forward slightly. “What are you thinking?”
“Cameras in the woods outside your fence. Very small, so it’s unlikely they’ll be spotted. That’s still your property, correct?”
“Yes. About two hundred yards beyond the fence is the property line.”
“Okay.” Finn gives an approving nod. “So we’ll have those cameras installed this afternoon. And we’ll have two people guarding your property, as well. One of us will be stationed by the house, the other will be on a roaming patrol, and backup if we need it.”
Cash and Finn go back and forth for a few more minutes, discussing the security system and restrictions going forward. I bob my head obediently at everything—no more trips out in the yard, only get in and out of the car in the garage—feeling sick about it.
Bile rises when Finn suggests, “I would make sure to keep all the blinds closed at night. Just to be safe.”
When Cash says, “Maybe I should buy a car with bulletproof windows,” I dig my nails into my hands so I don’t burst into tears.
Iwantedto hear this.
I wanted to know the truth, and here it is.
All of this—Cash paying all this money for protection, having to hide in his own home, talking about buying a car with bulletproof windows, not to mention being shotat—it’sall my fault.
No one will say it, but I know it’s the truth. I’mthe one who’s already been threatened, not Cash. Kyle has motivation to keep me quiet. And he has the money to pay someone to do it.
If it was just me, it would be terrifying enough. But now Cash has been pulled into it. And he has to suffer through his worst fear—losing another person he cares about.
Why did I go on that stupid date?
Would I have reconnected with Cash if I hadn’t?
But then Cash wouldn’t have been shot at…
My thoughts are all scattered, emotions tossing them all over the place.
I’m scared. Sad. Angry. Confused.
“Ari, hun, can you look at me?” A worried voice, but so tender, drags me out of my head. Cash is staring at me, his eyes dark with concern. “Where did you go?”
I blink. Finn is gone. It’s just Cash and I on the couch. How long have I been spacing out for?
“Cash—” My voice breaks. I hate how weak I sound.
Cash answers my unspoken question. “He just left. It’s fine; you just got quiet, that’s all.”
And didn’t even notice Finn leaving? As everything refocuses, embarrassment sweeps through me.
“I was staring into space like a zombie?”
“No, Ari.” He kisses me lightly on the lips and I lean into the contact, needing the connection with him. When he pulls away, his expression is filled with so much affection, I want to cry all over again. “I think you just disassociated for a minute. It’s just something your mind can do when it’s overwhelmed.”
“Oh.” My voice dropping, I whisper, “I guess I couldn’t handle it, after all.”
“No.” Cash picks me up, setting me on his lap and looking at me fiercely. “You have been handling everything incredibly. After everything… You are one of the strongest people I know.”
“It’s all my fault,” I blurt out. “And now you’re suffering for it.”
