Elaina

by Jennifer Hanks

  “I think that’s probably a good plan.” Luke agreed.

  “No.” I squeezed her closer, turning my head so I could look into her eyes. “I need you with me tonight.”

  “Are you sure?” She asked, her voice so quiet, but hopeful at the same time.

  “Jake, brother, I don’t think…” Luke started.

  My eyes snapped back to Luke’s and he didn’t need words by the look on his face, but I gave them to him anyway. “She’s staying with me if that’s what she wants.”

  Luke’s glance flicked to Lanie. “Is that what you want Lanie?”

  She nodded. “Yeah I do.”

  Paige moved around to stand on her other side. “Wow look at you. You even have the cop on the case coming home to where you’re staying.”

  Lanie smiled and I pulled her in closer. We were heading towards the door when Luke stopped me with a hand to my chest. “A word?”

  Lanie looked between us and then moved towards Paige, but her eyes didn’t leave me. “I’ll just grab my purse. Is it okay if I ride with you?”

  Luke answered before I could. “I’ll have an officer bring your car home later Lanie.”

  “Thanks Luke.” She put her hand up in a small wave before following Paige out the door.

  I got Luke’s attention. “I need to go.”

  “I know that, but listen to me. Taking her home with you is not a good idea Jake. It’ll only make things harder for her in the long run.”

  “She needs me tonight Luke. Tell me you wouldn’t do the same.”

  He couldn’t tell me that and we both knew it. “I hope you know what you’re doing.”

  “I don’t have a fucking clue what I’m doing man. All I know is I need to feel her beside me after what happened. I need to know I’m keeping her safe and hopefully she feels safe enough to actually sleep. I think there’s a better shot of that with us than at Paige’s. Don’t you?”

  He nodded, there was nothing left to say, so I laid my hand on his shoulder and squeezed. “Thanks for taking care of my girl.”

  I started to walk towards the door when he called out to me. “Jake.” I turned back, my arm on the handle of the door. “She is, isn’t she?

  “Mine?” I asked and when he nodded, I smiled. “Yeah she is.”

  I went out the doors feeling lighter, knowing I was taking her home, at least for tonight. And later after I got her to my place, gave her a t-shirt to sleep in and crawled into bed beside her, I finally took a deep breath. When she turned to me in the middle of the night, I didn’t hesitate to show her how I felt with my body, we didn’t need words to know that what we had wasn’t a passing thing.

  I just needed her to remember that.

  “Jake!” I flinched when I heard my name and realized I was lost in my thoughts in the middle of a damn work area. My eyes scanned the area inside the house looking for the voice, when they finally landed on Chase.

  “What!” I yelled back over the sound of the saws.

  “Got a minute?”

  I was already walking towards him when he hollered so I continued, following him outside to stand on the dirt driveway we created in front of the house. He put his hands on his hips and looked to his feet before meeting my gaze.

  “We got a problem.” He said seriously.

  I mirrored him with my hands on my hips. “What’s the problem?”

  “You.”

  My eyes widened and I lifted a hand to point my thumb back to myself. “Me?”

  “Sorry man, but I’ve had complaints, even a few threats to walk off the job. You know we don’t have the time to hire and train new guys.”

  “This is my fucking company. Why the hell are they coming to you?”

  “My guess is you’re a little hard to talk to right now.”

  “Bullshit!” I swore. “Next to Ben I’m the easiest one to talk to in my family.”

  “No, you were, but you haven’t been all week and the guys are feeling it.”

  I let out a long breath and rubbed the knots once again forming in my neck. Damn stress. He wasn’t wrong, I knew that and I knew I was being a dick, but I couldn’t run a jobsite without the guys feeling they can come to me with problems or concerns.

  “Listen,” Chase continued. “I get it man. Ben said your girl’s house was broken into last night and he said there’s been a lot of family shit going on, so if you need a break, go take one, I’m here today and I can be as long as you need me to.”

  I hung my head a minute longer before nodding. “Thanks man, but I’m good. I’ll talk to the guys, set things straight. I can’t be the boss and walking off my jobsite, that’s not me, but I’m glad you told me.”

  Chase’s lips twitched. “I had to, I was afraid of mutiny.”

  I chuckled, the first real one in a week. “That bad huh?”

  He laughed. “Only the new guys. The regular guys were worried about you. They know this isn’t you.”

  I grimaced. “There’s more new guys than regular.”

  His smirked. “Now you get why I was concerned.”

  I slapped Chase on the shoulder and headed back inside the house, letting out a loud whistle, having everyone shut off their machines moving to stand together and I did something I never fucking do.

  I apologized.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

  LANIE

  I stood with Luke inside my small foyer, my face what I was hoping a mask of confidence, my insides a complete mess. The policemen were long gone and Luke had my place cleaned up for me so I wouldn’t have to. I wasn’t sure whether that was a police department thing or a Luke Dimarco thing, but either way I was grateful.

  Luke reached down and held my hand. “I’ll walk through with you.”

  I wanted to tell him that was unnecessary, that I was fine, but honestly I wanted him to walk through with me. It was nice having someone take care of me for a while. I’d been doing for myself for so long it just felt nice to have someone stand with me.

  Walking through my kitchen and then my living room reminded me of last night, but nothing prepared me for the reminder when I hit my bedroom. The visions of destruction still played in my mind even though I could see everything was back in its place. My bed was covered in a blanket I recognized from the closet in my bedroom, obviously someone found it there and replaced the damaged comforter. I was grateful they did.

  “Do I have any clothes left?” I asked.

  Luke shot me a sad smile. “Very few. I let Paige know and she said she’s coming by later to take you shopping.”

  “That was nice of you and trust me she’ll love that job.” I answered his grin with one of my own and felt my shoulders relax. “Do you do this for all of the house robberies?”

  His grin disappeared and he tugged on my hand. “Come sit with me in the kitchen for a minute okay?”

  I nodded, but knew by the look on his face I wasn’t going to enjoy this conversation. We sat at my counter after he politely refused the drink I offered, facing each other, when he began to talk.

  “Do you know what my job is with the department?” He asked.

  “You’re a detective, right?”

  He nodded. “Right, but I’m a special detective, Lanie.”

  My head tilted to the side in confusion. “What do you mean?”

  “I work mainly with women and children who are victims of a crime, usually involving a crime sexual in nature, but even in a case like yours they would bring me in.”

  “Why?” I tilted my head to the side. “Because I’m a woman?”

  He smiled patiently. “Lanie your house was broken into and nothing was stolen. Someone violated your personal space and by that I mean, probably your most personal space by going through your bedroom dresser and drawers, but even more than that; when they cut up your underwear and bras, this became a whole different case.”

  I hadn’t given that much thought, but it made sense. “So, you think someone wants to hurt me sexually?”

  “I don’t know. I have
no idea what I’m dealing with. That’s why the officer asked you about past relationships, any men you may have turned down or ignored their advances. Even the most innocent things can sometimes be a piece in a really extravagant puzzle, so I need you to really think and call me if you remember anything about anyone.” He waited for me to nod before he continued. “I have an officer talking to Trey today because he was your last relationship.” He lifted his hand when I tried to speak, so I closed my mouth. “I know you said last night that he wasn’t capable and he’d never been anything but a perfect gentleman with you, never even raised his voice, but everyone has to be interviewed. I need you to let me know if you remember him ever saying something that gave you an odd feeling. People sometimes disregard the little things even if they felt wrong at the time. Okay?”

  “Okay I will.” I paused. “Does that mean you’re back to work?”

  “Not officially, but the chief is letting me help out with the case because I explained you’re a friend of mine.”

  “That’s kind of you Luke. I’m glad you’re the one on the case.” Something occurred to me. “You don’t believe this was random, do you?”

  “Not really.” The doorbell rang and I looked at Luke who was smiling. “Wow he has good timing.”

  “Who?” I asked. But he was already pulling me from my seat and towards the front door.

  Luke swung open the front door and I immediately saw and recognized Brody, but I didn’t know the other two men with him.

  “Hi Brody.” I waved awkwardly.

  He grinned and I had to admit, that grin and those eyes, Gia was a really lucky girl. “Hi Lanie.” He pointed behind him to a younger guy with dark brown hair, a little long on top, but short on the side wearing a grin to match Brody’s. “Lanie this is Ethan. He works with me installing security systems for our company.”

  “Hi Lanie.” He smiled.

  I gave him an awkward wave while Brody moved on. “And this is Pike. He also works for us on the security end.”

  “Hi Pike.” I said earning me a smile and a nod.

  “Brody and Ethan are going to install a security system in your house and show you how to set it. It will be connected to the police department so if anything happens, we’ll be alerted right away.”

  “You don’t have to do all of this.” I said.

  “Our dad would kick our asses if we didn’t.” Brody muttered causing Pike and Ethan to chuckle.

  I blushed at that, having taken a liking Jack and Anna right away. They’re the parents every kid would love to have, especially as that kid got older and could appreciate them more.

  “We’re going to get it set up Lanie and then I’ll explain how to use it and set your password.” Brody said, hefting a bag over his shoulder, Ethan doing the same before they disappeared from the foyer.

  I turned back towards Luke and Pike as Luke called my name. “Pike’s going to be keeping an eye on you for a while.”

  I frowned. “What does that mean?”

  Pike shifted his gaze to his feet, but I watched a grin play around his lips.

  Luke sighed. “The department doesn’t have enough staff for me to have an officer driving out here constantly to check on you and check on the house. So, I asked Pike for the next week or so just to be around, especially during the day when Jake and I are both working.”

  “That isn’t necessary.” I said.

  “Luke says you work from home?” Pike asked, ignoring me.

  “Umm…yeah.”

  “So once the alarms set up, you can set that and be good, but if you have any problems or concerns you’ll have my number and I’ll drive by, maybe stop in and check on you until Luke gets a better handle on this case.”

  “Is this a Police Department thing?”

  Pike laughed. “No Lanie, this is a Dimarco thing.”

  Luke grinned when I asked, “What does that mean?”

  Pike gaze was locked on mine. “It means; this family adopts people they like. I’m one of the latest and believe me when I tell you once you’re in the fold, you are in. They take care of their own.”

  “I don’t really know what to say to all of this.”

  Luke swung his arm around my shoulders, grinning down at me. “Nothing to say, just know it’s going to happen whether you like it or not.”

  I ran my fingers across my bracelet. “I’m beginning to see that.”

  After Luke was done explaining things to me, I sat and talked to Pike for a while, surprised how easy he was to talk to. He explained he met Cam in the military and they became very good friends. They lost touch for some time, but he said that’s a long story he’d tell me when we had more time. Luke was long gone and we listened to Brody give direction to Ethan while they set everything up. Pike asked about my family and I hesitated, but then he told me he lost his sister who died while he was serving in the marines and his mother took off after that, he hasn’t heard from her since. He didn’t seem too heartbroken over that. When he said he’d never known his dad or even his name, I felt like maybe we were kindred spirits surrounded by this perfect family. He covered my hand with his own when I told him my story and I realized when I told him that it had been easier than when I told Jake. I wondered if the more I talked about it, the less painful it would become.

  We exchanged phone numbers right before Brody announced they were done. He taught me how to set and disable the alarm and had me pick a number password for it, which I shared with all three men. Pike asked me about my plans for the day and I told him I had to go shopping for some clothes. I agreed to text him when I was on my way home so he could meet me here to go through the house with me. I knew it was overkill, but I didn’t refuse, having already learned I’d lose that argument.

  I worked for a while waiting for Paige to text me she was off work and drove to the mall in Cranberry to meet up with her since it was the closest one to her work. We agreed to meet at the pizza place located right outside the mall for a late lunch and I was happy to see she beat me there when I saw her standing outside the doors talking to someone. I quickly parked my car and made my way over to where she stood, in time to hear her let out a frustrated sound.

  “Paige!” I called out as I was crossing the parking lot to the sidewalk. Her head snapped my way and I saw the scowl she’d been wearing fade into a smile for me.

  She waved, putting her back to whomever she was talking too, which didn’t seem like her at all. I stepped onto the sidewalk just as her mystery friend turned and I was surprised to see Cole standing in front of me.

  “Cole?” I said.

  “Hi Lanie.” He smiled brightly. “How’s the car running? Tire’s good?”

  “It’s running better than ever.” And it honestly was which led me to believe he did more than replace and rotate my tires. “Any chance you’ll tell me what it all cost and who paid for it?” I asked hopefully.

  He laughed. “Absolutely not. I’ve had my ass kicked by those boys more times than I care to admit and telling you that information is a sure ass-kicking.”

  I frowned. “That’s what I thought you’d say.”

  “I’m gonna head out. It was nice talking to you Lanie.” He smiled sweetly in my direction and then turned to Paige. His face grew more serious, less flirty and friendly. “Paige.”

  “Cole.” She said haughtily.

  “What was that?” I asked, the second he was out of ear shot. “You’re friendly with everyone. What’s up with you two?”

  She made a face. “I don’t know. He just gets under my skin. He always makes me feel like I don’t know what I’m doing when he comes into the shop.”

  “How often does he come in?”

  She shot me a glare from the corner of her eye. “Too often.” Grabbing my arm, she pulled me along beside her through the doors to the tiny pizza restaurant. “Come on, I’m starved.”

  We ate and talked and then shopped for hours. It was exactly what I needed. I pulled out my phone when we were leaving the mall to text Pike.r />
  “Where does he work again?” Paige asked, when I said I needed to text him at work.

  “Right now he works at a new bar a friend of the Dimarco’s set up. It’s called Hanks I think.”

  “Oh, I know where that is. I heard it’s a really cool bar. They even have live music sometimes.” She bounced on her toes when we got to our cars. “Let’s go check it out.” I shook my head, but she cut me off. “Come on Lanie, its Saturday night. We never go out anymore. I promise we’ll have one drink and then you can just tell Pike in person you’re ready to go home and he’ll follow you.”

  It sounded kind of nice and to be honest I didn’t want to go home yet, so I agreed. “Okay I guess.”

  “Okay?” She squealed. “This is gonna be so fun!”

  I rolled my eyes, but thought she might be right. We used to go out some, but lately we were both in a funk. I got in my car, following her out of the parking lot and was surprised when it was only about twenty minutes until we were pulling into the parking lot of Hanks.

  We parked beside each other even though the lot was pretty full, it was big enough that we could get two spots together, and she linked arms with me pulling me with her towards the bar and laughing.

  We moved through the front classy double doors and I waited for my eyes to adjust to the much dimmer lighting than had been in the parking lot. I’d never seen that many lights in a parking lot before.

  I was really impressed when I looked around, my eyes taking it all in but settling on the bar to the left of the door. It was packed full of people, the bartenders working hard behind it to keep up with the orders and that’s when I saw Gia throw her tray on to the top of the bar and yell out an order. I’d forgotten Gia waitressed here, Jack had told me that, but I also thought he said Brody was trying his hardest to get her to quit, especially now that’s she’s pregnant. My eyes scanned the tables filling the center of the room and moved to the DJ on the rather big stage bobbing his head to the music. I elbowed Paige and pointed, making her giggle along with me because his antics were so funny.

  Arms still linked she yelled, “Let’s look for a table!”