Page 36 of Drive Me Crazy

"What in the hell is Emerson doing with her?" I shift, trying to get a better look at the house. "It's a damn country song goin' on up in there." I cock my brow as I watch the lights in my house come on and go off, room by room.

"Why is she taking so much time giving her a tour of the place?" I step out from the under the cover of my hiding place. I can't stay away; I keep imagining he'll break in on them and I'll hurt a man over those two.

The hair on the back of my neck stands on end, I whip around, searching the dark. I tense up when a shadow catches my attention. "Who you lookin' for?"

"Fuck!" I clutch my chest, recognizing the voice in the dead of night. "What the hell, Chord?"

"Dude," he inches closer to me. "you're jumpy."

I double take. "I'm on a stakeout! I gotta keep my eyes peeled for intruders."

"A stakeout?" He snorts as he tries to hold back a chuckle. "I'm here for this. Let's do it."

I cut my eyes at him. "Asshole."

"What? I'm here to assist. I'll be Joyce to your Hop." He elbows me and is rewarded with a glare.

"By the way, you need to be careful sneaking up on people. I could've been packin'."

"Why would you need heat, when obviously I have the guns?" He flexes, grinning like a fool.

"Seriously?" I cock my brow. "Put those away before you get hurt."

"Whatever. You're jealous."

"We could get Maisyn and her taser gun, she could go full contact." I shrug, chuckling with him.

"That'll do it." He nods. "Wonder if she's busy?"

I back hand him in the gut. "Watch it, asshole."

"You know, I came over here to help out, not to be abused." He rubs his stomach, grumbling.

The lights in house begin to dim or go off throughout. The doors open on the balcony to the master, Harper's silhouette comes into view. My breath hitches when her hand goes to her face.

She's crying.

Last I spoke to Landon, Harper hadn't showed any emotion. It's as though she's simply going through the motions. I can't say I'm surprised, but concern moved front and center.

I rub the back of my neck, rolling it as I do. "I asked Landon to go about his daily schedule. We can't risk tipping this guy off at all."

"Glad you brought that up... One wants to help; you know they have resources and Lea is amazing with this type of trauma. They can bring some insight to it all." Chord shoves his hands in his pockets.

"What, exactly, is One offering? I mean I understand he wants help, y'all are family but I want to be here at night. It's important for me to keep her safe."

He lays his hand on my shoulder. "Well then, it's a good thing I'm here to protect you both."

"Aren't you supposed to be my friend?"

He slaps my back, hard. "Haven't you ever heard of tough love? I'm just applying some pressure."

"So, what are you thinking for additional security?" I gaze at Harper wandering back into the house. She closes the doors, but her light never goes out. My chest aches at the symbolism of that light, it calls to me, like a beacon in the night to where my love lays her head as she fights the night so full of fright.

Chord meanders to the end of the fence, searching through the moon-lit night for any sign of trouble. "I take it, you're wanting to have the night shift."

"Yeah, since I work days." The clenching of my heart causes me to catch my breath. "Now that she's here, I can't allow him to get to her ever again. I hate not being able to go to her, to tell her everything and to fix it all. I need to make things right for her."

"I hear ya, man. This is a good first step, but you can't be here 24/7 and One knows people that can."