Total pages in book: 132
Estimated words: 128801 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 644(@200wpm)___ 515(@250wpm)___ 429(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 128801 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 644(@200wpm)___ 515(@250wpm)___ 429(@300wpm)
I’d heard of a couple break-ins, but I didn’t know they’d gotten so severe.
As much as I hated the idea that someone might want to steal from me when I’d worked so hard for what I had, it was much better than the alternate intentions that had been trudging through my brain.
I nodded. “I guess that’s good news then.”
The rumble of a growl vibrated from Ryder. “Good news?”
“It’s better than the alternative,” I told him.
The implication of what remained unsaid pulsed through the room, bouncing between the three of us. I could rest in the knowledge that no one had been there with the intention to hurt us.
Did the situation suck?
Sure.
But I could handle it.
“That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be careful, though. Keep an eye out,” Ezra added. “It worries me they might come back sniffing around the restaurant thinking you might keep money in there at night. I’m going to add another deputy to patrol downtown during that time.” Then he gave me one of his tight smiles. “Don’t worry. We’re going to find this guy. It’s happening so often, whoever is responsible is bound to slip.”
“I’ll be sure to remain vigilant,” I promised.
Ryder grunted again, and I ignored him, keeping my attention on Ezra.
“I’m going to have to file the report, which means your brother is likely to find out.” Ezra cringed on my behalf.
I let go of a small laugh. “That’s fine. I just wanted some actual information on the situation before the gossip started. You know how he is.”
“That I do. And I already sent someone over to get your door reinforced.”
“I appreciate that.”
“Of course. That’s what I’m here for.” He glanced between me and Ryder. “I’m going to head back to the station. Let me know if you see or hear anything.”
“I will.” Ryder and I followed him to the door.
“Thank you, Ezra.” I gave him a quick hug.
“I’m always here.”
He tipped his head at Ryder. “See you later, brother.”
“Yeah,” was all that Ryder said, and Ezra snapped the door as he left.
Tension suddenly barreled into me from behind.
Tacky and tight.
The air thinned.
The only sound the quiet volume of Kayden’s show from across the room and the thud of my heart that pounded in my ears.
I felt like I could hardly move as I slowly shifted around. Ryder stood five feet away, all menacing glowers and huffing like a bull.
“I don’t like it, Dakota.”
“I don’t like it, either. Some people suck, but there’s not a whole lot we can do about that other than let Ezra do his job.”
Ryder stepped forward. “There is plenty I could do about it.”
Barely contained fury slipped from his tongue.
I shook my head. “Don’t be an idiot, Ryder. Ezra has this handled, and the last thing I need is you getting involved in something that doesn’t even concern you.”
He slowly approached, closing the distance until there was no space left between us. “Doesn’t concern me? Believe me, Cookie…” His words scraped, low and gruff. Edged with a razor. “It absolutely concerns me.”
Rigidness clenched his jaw, and he seemed to war with what to say, the words he released cut with a severity so sharp I felt them raking across my skin.
“I don’t want you going back to your place until this asshole has been caught.”
I struggled to get my bearings. “And I’m not going to live my life scared over some jerk who’s going around stealing stuff. I’ve lived by myself for a long time, Ryder, and if Ezra doesn’t have an issue with me going back to my house, then I don’t, either.”
“Yeah? Well, I have an issue.”
Air puffed from my nose. I swore, he was worse than my brother sometimes.
“I’m a big girl, and I get to make that choice.”
He had me backed to the wall so fast I couldn’t comprehend how I’d gotten there.
Pinned.
Gunmetal eyes flamed in a way I didn’t think I’d ever seen them do before. But his voice was pained. “I can’t take that risk with you, Dakota, and not with Kayden, either. Please. Stay with me.”
“We each have our own lives, Ryder.” I forced it out around the tumult.
His teeth ground. “You are my life, Dakota.”
Chaos whipped.
A muddled confusion.
My brow drew tight, tugged together by the string of uncertainty and old wounds that yanked at the middle of my heart. It was on my tongue to ask him exactly what that meant when he suddenly swore and tore himself away, fumbling back two steps as he dropped his attention to the ground.
Scrubbing a palm over his face, he stared at the grains of wood like they might hold every answer he was looking for.
Then he seemed to gather himself enough to look back at me. A plea was driven into every line on his expression. “Just stay, Dakota. Please.”
THIRTEEN
RYDER
“Is this really necessary?”
Dakota grumbled the whole way up the stairs even though she wasn’t the one who was carrying the boxes. Not that I minded. I only minded that she thought it was a waste of my time or putting me out. For thinking for one second that she was a burden.