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“How’d you get in here?”
“Picked the lock.”
“You picked the lock? Why?”
“Because you aren’t answering your phone and you’re in a strange place. I was worried.”
Her eyes grow wide. “You were worried?”
“Yeah.”
“But I have Pepper.”
“Sixty pounds of nothing but friendly and excitement isn’t a guard dog.”
As if she picks up on my reference, she goes to her hind legs, pawing at my chest.
“Pepper, heel.” Pepper immediately jumps back at Rowan’s demand, looking between us confused.
“Baby, get dressed.”
She does a quick glance down, then spins to race back up the stairs.
My phone dings with a text from an unknown number.
Is there a reason you are unlawfully entering our house, policeman?
I respond with a simple— yes
Bubbles pounce on the screen, then stop, then start and stop again. Either Cruz is sending me a book of words, or he’s contemplating how to tell me to fuck off.
Do not hurt her, Ford. She is a precious gem. She is not weak and doesn’t need you fucking with her head.
Message clear. He’s not happy.
Rowan is the strongest woman I know, and she is more than precious. Trust in that.
Cruz— Things have taken a turn since we left. You have a modicum of our trust. If we hear anything concerning, I’m driving my sun-kissed ass back to Nashville. Alex has a mean right hook. Ask Robbie what happened when he screwed with Ember.
Me—I don’t even know what a sun-kissed ass is but keep it where it is. She’s safe with me.
“What’s going on?” Rowan hits the bottom of the stairs, and my eyes immediately lock in on her shirt. It’s well-worn and three sizes too big.
“Whose shirt?”
“Alex’s.”
“Why are you wearing his shirt?”
“Because I like it.”
Frustration festers inside and I think long and hard about how I respond.
“I have three missed calls from you and multiple texts from Harley and Jewls. Now Cruz is messaging.”
“Video alerted him I was here.”
“That explains it.” While she talks, I notice the splotchy flush of her face and neck.
