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Fuck appearing professional and pretending I didn’t care.
I marched to her and wrapped her in a hug, banding my arms tight around her, pressing her body to mine. Carrying her a few steps away, I brushed my hand over her head.
Speaking took effort.
“Are ye okay?”
For a long moment, she didn’t answer. Instead, she just clamped me to her, her heartbeat pounding.
Mine raced, too. It only slowed from holding her.
She was here. Not hurt. Not taken.
A small nod was my reply, but neither of us let go.
Slowly, reality poured in. Behind us, Daisy explained to Ben and Valentine what had happened. Ariel shifted in my arms.
We disengaged.
I gazed at her beautiful face. “Talk to me.”
Her gaze sought something in mine. “Someone was here. We’re sure of it.”
“Ye didn’t see him?”
“No, but he knocked, then we heard him walk through the house. Casey and Cait arrived and started their intimidation routine, then you showed up.”
I twisted around. “Ben, are there any cameras here?”
His dark glower deepened. “Not yet because we havenae moved in. If it was Larson, why the fuck would he knock?”
There was only one answer.
“A fear tactic,” Valentine said. He backed out of the room. “I’ll see if the lasses downstairs saw anything. Them being here before us could’ve saved ye both.”
Ariel shuddered.
This time, I resisted pulling her against me. Already, my boss was watching me with concern.
I’d raised his suspicions.
By force, I made myself stand taller. Step back from Ariel.
Ben took up his phone. “I’m calling a search,” he announced. “The mountain rescue team had a training evening and were just starting to arrive at the hangar. Daisy, don’t leave my sight for a second. Jackson?”
I waited on his command. If he did anything but send me away with Ariel, I wouldn’t be able to do it.
Others could search. As far as I was concerned, she was only safe with me.
“Stay with Ariel.” He switched his gaze to her. “Happy to go home and lock the doors?”
“Give me a blanket fort and an armed guard and I’ll be happy,” she replied.
In relief, with my blood rushing and heat burning me up, I tucked her under my arm and didn’t look back.
At her tower, we threw off our coats and snowy boots by the door and climbed the stairs.
Around the first corner, Ariel stopped me with an abrupt turn.
