Page 57

"You live here?"

The cottage is in a quiet area of the island, tucked away on a postage-stamp-sized lot down a street with no view. I don't mind though. Just having a home on the island is enough of a win for me. "Yeah, got it in a foreclosure sale. When I took possession, it was rough on the inside. Had hurricane damage that went unchecked. It took some time, but I finished the repairs about five years ago."

"You can put me down, Sully."

I kiss her temple and focus on getting the number punched into the keyless entry. "Nope."

She glances over her shoulder to watch me.

"Aren't you worried I know your code now?"

I chuckle and kick the door open with a fast twist of the knob. “You can come inside any time you like. Better yet, just never leave."

I kick the door shut and carry her toward the couch.

"Are you turning into some creepy stalker who kidnaps women?"

I don't put her down but stand there holding her in my arms. "The only woman I want to kidnap and keep safe is you, Vi. Now, before your sister gets here with your stuff, how about you tell me more about the things that've been happening?"

Her mouth twists into a disgruntled curve.

MacGyver escorted Jasmine to their parents' house to pack and retrieve Violet's clothing and belongings as well as her own so Jas could stay with her boyfriend until things are sorted out. In the meantime, members of the Blackwater Saints will make periodic checks around work schedules and the like as a personal favor to both me and MacGyver. That's what the small-town riding club did for their own. The more eyes, the better.

Violet narrows her gaze at me, and I swivel to carry her to a chair instead, seating myself with her on my lap. "Talk. Did you tell MacGyver everything?"

Her eyes shift away from mine, and I gently squeeze her hip. "No detail is too small, Vi."

She exhales and gives me a glare.

"I did. I think. I mean… It's nothing."

"What's nothing?"

"I thought I saw Thad one day when I was closing up Betty. And I might’ve seen someone at the grocery store. I’m not sure. I never got a good look at either of them. Just a glimpse of someone who looks similar, I'm sure, because I’m on edge."

"And you didn't think those occasions were important enough to mention to Chase?"

"When I don't know if it was actually him? Sully, please don't make this out to be more than it is. Those men could've been anyone. They probably were random strangers. Everything that's happened is so unrelated and probably not connected. It’s all coincidence. Now let me up."

I know better than to try to force her to sit still, so I release my hold and shoot up behind her to steady her when she gets dizzy from moving too fast. I gently hold her elbows until she inhales and nods that she's okay. "The sightings might seem random," I say, "but until we know for certain, it's best to take precautions. Yeah? So let's look at this as a chance to play house without pressure. We eat, watch movies, and you recuperate while I take care of you."

"You have better things to do on your days off, Sully. And you told me the Saints are watching the house now, so why can't I stay there in my own bed?"

"Because you need posthospital care. And why risk the robbers showing up at your house with you inside and injured?" I frown at her and shake my head. "Besides, you agreed. Unless… Ms. Greene, did you use me to get released from the hospital?"

She tilts her head to one side and glares at me, but I see the lack of heat behind the look.

"Wouldn't you have agreed to just about anything if it meant getting out of there?"

I point to the couch. "Sit and get comfy. I'll fix you a snack. Jasmine should be here by the time you're done eating. And, no, you're not leaving. You still need concussion checks, and I'm the one trained to keep an eye on you, so you're stuck with me whether you like it or not."

Her expression softens to one that tugs at my heart.

"You're a good guy, Sully. Are you sure you⁠—"

"Yes," I say, cutting off whatever detrimental comment she was about to make about herself. "I'm sure." I frame her face with my palms and fight off the urge to hug her so tight I absorb her into me. I can't be that way with her. It's not healthy for either of us, but right now? "I don't look at you and see my sister, but when we got that call… When you…"

Her hands grip my biceps, nails flexing into my skin.