by Heather Lyn
“Yeah, Brody. I’m all yours. For as long as you’ll have me.”
“That’s gonna be a long fucking time, baby.”
And no truer words have ever been spoken. She’s mine, fucking finally, and I’m never gonna do anything to lose that.
CHAPTER SEVEN
Lindsey
Brody motherfucking Walker.
Stepping out of the shower, my thoughts keep going to earlier tonight. Wrapping my wet hair in a towel, I pull on an oversized sleep shirt and get into bed. Reaching for my Kindle, I decide to read a couple chapters of my favorite author’s newest book. I planned on making Brody jealous tonight, but I had no idea he’d get that jealous. Ryan is a nurse at the hospital, and he’s a good friend. He had no idea what I was doing, but it worked out perfectly. We’ve always been kind of touchy-feely with each other, and it fed right into Brody’s mood.
Brody is one hell of a lover.
I’ve never in my life had that kind of sex, and good Lord was it earth-shattering. I was definitely taken aback when I saw he had a piercing, but that just added to the pleasure.
Literally.
Laughing at my pun, I decide to forgo the book, picking up the remote on my end table. I’m pretty sure if I try reading a romance novel, my brain will lead me to even dirtier places, and I don’t want that. Okay, maybe I do want that, but only if Brody is with me. And he’s not.
The look on his face was priceless when I told him I was pulling his leg about working tomorrow. We made plans for me to go to his place, and I can’t wait. He’s been so good to me, and even more about that whole phone call shit. I gave Garret a call after Brody dropped me off to let him know. He thinks that should take care of everything, so I know I’ll sleep well tonight. No phone calls, thank fucking God.
Finally tired enough for sleep, I head into the bathroom and run a comb through the wet locks, twisting it into a braid. Turning the bathroom light off, I head back into my bedroom, turning that light off as well, filling the room with the glow from my television, Supernatural playing quietly. Getting comfortable, I lie down and grab my cell so I can text Brody.
I’m just clicking on his name when there’s a knock at my front door. My senses go on high alert and I grab the remote to pause the television. Sitting in silence, I wait to see what happens, but hear nothing more. Just the four knocks and that’s all. After a few minutes, curiosity gets the best of me and I pad to my front door, arms wrapped around my stomach. I stand on my toes and look out the peephole.
Nothing.
Narrowing my eyes, I flip the deadbolt and unlock the doorknob, carefully pulling the door open. Nobody’s there, but there’s a piece of paper taped to my door. Pulling it off, I find only a few words scribbled across the paper.
You’ll regret this, bitch.
A cry of terror flies from my mouth, and I clap a hand over it to stifle the noise. Slamming my door shut, I flip the locks and run back to my bedroom. The paper still in my hand, I frantically scramble onto the bed and reach for my cell phone. My heart is telling me to call Brody, but instead I call Garret. He answers on the second ring.
“Lindsey, everything okay?”
“He came to… to… my apartment….” I can hardly speak over the sobs.
“Son of a bitch,” he booms. “Keep your doors locked. Call 911. Jace and I are over fifteen minutes away. Dispatch will get a couple cars there in minutes.”
“O… kay….”
“Deep breaths, Lindsey. It’s gonna be okay. Promise.”
And he hangs up, my screen going dark. I quickly swipe to my keypad and dial again. The call only takes about five minutes, and in no time I hear sirens screaming. I don’t move from my bed until I hear a pounding.
“Ms. Taylor, are you okay in there?” a voice yells, and I drop my phone and scramble to the front door. Checking the peephole, I find two uniformed officers standing in front of my door. I pull the door open and allow them inside. My tears haven’t slowed, and as I shut the door behind us, it dawns on me that I never called Brody.
§
“Ms. Taylor—”
“Lindsey.” Clutching a handful of tear-soaked tissues, I draw my knees up to my chest while they finish asking questions. They’re waiting on the crime lab to come swab for prints.
“My apologies, Lindsey. Did anything else happen? Any other strange noises when you got home? Was your door locked like always?”
“Yes, sir. Nothing was any different than usual.”
Sniffling, I reach for a fresh tissue to wipe my painfully swollen eyes when Garret steps through the doorway. My face crumples at the sight of him, so grateful he really came.
“Shit, are you okay?” he asks, maneuvering around the room to me. He kisses my head and I’m surprised by the kind gesture.
“Walker, what are you doing here?” Officer Baker asks, raising an eyebrow at Garret.
“She called me. This is Brody’s girlfriend,” Garret says, sitting next to me on the couch.
Baker nods and leans forward to address me. “We’re just gonna take a look around the place, if that’s okay with you?”
I nod my approval and look at Garret.
“Thank you,” I mumble. He doesn’t respond, and we both look up when Jace walks into my apartment. He nods at me and then walks over to the doorway that leads to my bedroom, presumably to see the other officers.
“I need to call Brody,” I say, voice shaky and weak.
“I called him when we pulled in. I wasn’t sure if you had or not. Should be here soon.”
“Thank you,” I say again, and this time Garret squeezes my hand tightly in his. We sit silently until Baker and his partner come back in with Jace in tow.
“Crime lab is ten minutes out. We’re gonna take a look outside. Walker, you gonna stay in here?”
“Yeah, man. My brother’s on his way, so I’ll come help y’all when he gets here.”
“Sounds good.” We’re left alone, the only sound Jace walking up and down the hallway outside and Garret’s walkie occasionally chirping out calls.
When the crime techs show up a few minutes later, I bury my face in my knees and cry softly. This is becoming too real.
My apartment is a damn crime scene. What the hell is going on? When did my life become such a nightmare?
“Listen, man, you need to let me the fuck through.”
Brody’s voice sounds down the empty hallway and Garret jumps up.
“Shit,” he grumbles, leaving my apartment.
A minute later, I lift my head in time to see Brody come crashing into the room.
“Linds,” he breathes, rushing straight for me. Jumping up, I leap into his arms, legs going around his waist as I completely break down.
“Christ, are you okay?” he asks, face buried in my neck. But I can’t answer, too overwhelmed at the moment. Gently shushing me, he tries again. “What happened?”
“He left a note on my door,” I cry, grabbing at Brody’s shirt, trying to melt myself into him for protection.
“Fucking hell.” Sitting on the couch, he folds me into him, lips pressed to the top of my head.
“Why is this happening to me, Brody?” I whisper.
“I don’t know, baby.”
“I’m so scared.”
I haven’t said that out loud but it’s the truth. My entire life has been flipped upside down by this nutcase.
“I know you are, Linds, but we’ll get through this. You’re safe and that’s all that matters. Garret and the department will figure it out, and they’ll arrest the asshole, okay?”
“Okay.” My tears have slowed for now, but my grip on Brody hasn’t changed.
He rubs a hand up and down my back in an attempt to soothe me, and I lean back for just a second to kiss his stubbly cheek.
“Thank you for coming.”
“Don’t thank me for that, Linds. I’m where I want to be.”
He presses a soft kiss to my forehead and I snuggle back up to him. For the first time all night I feel safe, and I
know that even if this creep burst through the front door, I still would be.
§
An hour later, they’re finally starting to finish up. I haven’t moved from my spot on Brody’s lap, and he hasn’t asked me to. Garret and Jace have been helping Baker go through the paperwork they’d already filed on my case, getting him up to speed.
Glancing at the clock, I see it’s almost eleven a night and I’m exhausted. Curling up even more, I bury my face in Brody’s neck and close my eyes.
“Everything okay?” he whispers.
“I’m tired. I just want them to hurry up.” I know it’s petulant of me, but I’m ready for sleep and honestly, the sooner this shit gets finished, the better.
“Give me two minutes, Linds.” Kissing my head, he slides me off his lap and disappears out of my apartment. A few minutes later, he comes back in and walks in front of me. Holding out a hand, he helps me up and cups my face, giving me a kiss.
“Go get some things. We’re gonna get outta here.”
I give him a questioning glare and he smiles.
“I’m getting you out of here. Garret said they’ll lock up when they leave. I want you to come home with me, Linds. You’ll feel better once you get away from here.”
I contemplate his words and quickly agree. Excusing myself, I head back into my bedroom and grab the duffel bag under my bed. Filling it with some clothes and the necessary toiletries, I stuff my phone charger in and head back out to Brody.
He’s deep in conversation with Garret, his hand on the back of his neck. He looks pissed, and I’m wondering what else is going on. He wasn’t this angry a few minutes ago.
Stuffing my feet into my flip-flops, I grab a hoodie hanging off the stool in my kitchen and head over to them. Standing next to Brody, I look up at him with an eyebrow raised. “What’s wrong?”
“Lindsey, you drive a black Honda, right? License plate HD6GM,” Garret asks.
“Uh, yeah. Why?”
“They slashed your tires, baby,” Brody says, wrapping his strong arm around my shoulders. I bow my head and take a deep breath, forcing the tears away.
“Can we go now?” I ask.
Garrets nods and reaches out to squeeze my shoulder. “We’re gonna get this taken care of, Lindsey. You have my word. I’ll call you tomorrow to give you an update.”
“Thank you,” I say, stepping forward to wrap my arms around his neck in a tight hug. He squeezes me with one arm and then I step back, reaching for Brody’s hand.
“We’ll talk to you tomorrow, bro,” Brody says, holding out a hand that Garret shakes.
Brody takes my duffel from my shoulder and carries it for me, steering me down the small hallway for his truck. I tell myself not to look, but I do. Two techs are standing next to my car, and sure enough all four tires are slashed. And not just slashed, completely shredded.
“Jesus Christ,” Brody growls, and I turn my face into his arm as we walk. I can’t look anymore. Why the hell would someone do that?
He tosses my bag in the bed of the truck and turns to me, his face falling when he sees the fresh tears falling.
“Come here.” Brody opens his arms and I fall into them, mine tight around his waist. My shoulders shake and he holds my head to his chest, whispering to me.
Pulling myself together, I move back and Brody wipes my tears away, giving me a small smile before opening the passenger door. After he helps me inside, I buckle up, clicking it in place as he gets inside. After doing his own seat belt, Brody reaches over to grab my hand. Lacing our fingers together, he places a soft kiss to the back of my hand and rests them on his thigh.
“I’ll call Drew tomorrow and get your tires changed, Linds.”
“Drew?”
“Jace’s younger brother. Owns an auto body shop just outside of town.”
“Oh. Okay. Thank you for everything, Brody.”
“I told you, no need to thank me.”
The drive to Brody’s is silent, leaving me to my thoughts. I rack my brain, trying to come up with some sort of answer, but I can’t find one. None if this makes sense. A month ago, I was just a nurse with a normal life. Now my life has become this long scene from a horror movie, and I’m not sure it’ll ever end.
Ten minutes later, we turn down the driveway to his place. At the end is a decent-sized ranch with a huge front porch and two-car garage. It’s gorgeous, and yet somehow exactly how I expected Brody’s home to look. It’s just so him.
He parks the truck in front of the garage and kills the engine. “Welcome to my home, Linds,” he jokes, hopping out of the vehicle. In the weeks we’ve been dating, we’ve always gone out. It dawns on me then that in that one night, we’ve both ended up at each other’s places. For some reason, the thought makes me laugh.
Climbing down, I shut the door and, in the darkness, reach out for Brody, using his hand to steady me. He must sense my anxiety, because he grabs a flashlight from the bed of the truck and turns it on. His driveway is bathed in the glow and I breathe deeply, not quite as freaked out. He walks us to the front door, and after letting us in, he shuts and locks it behind us.
“So, would you like the grand tour?” he asks, flipping a light switch. Tossing my bag on the floor next to a table, he looks at me with a small smile.
I shake my head at him.
“No?” he asks. Stepping forward, he reaches for my hands and squeezes. “What do you want to do, Linds?”
“Take me to bed and hold me?” I ask. My voice feels small, but the thing I’ve learned about Brody is that I can tell him exactly what I need and he won’t question it. With a curt nod, he flips the light back off and takes my hand, guiding me to his bedroom.
He turns a small lamp on and I take a quick look around his room: queen bed, television on a long bureau, an attached bathroom. Simple, yet so Brody.
“The bathroom’s there. Feel free to get ready for bed. I’m gonna get some more towels for you. Back in a second.”
Left alone, I pull off the sweatshirt I’m wearing so I’m left in my oversized nightshirt. Kicking off my flip-flops, I head right for his bed and pull the blankets back. Climbing in, I lie on my side, groaning at how comfortable his bed is. Brody returns a minute later, a stack of towels in his hands. He carries them to the bathroom and then strolls to the side of the bed. I hold my arm out to him, wanting for him to join me, and he smiles.
That freaking smile.
He slips his shoes off and strips down to his boxer briefs, leaving his shirt on. Pulling the blanket back, he gets into the bed with me and immediately pulls me into his arms. Lying on our sides facing each other, I bury my face in his chest and for the first time all night, I can finally breathe easy. Brody’s hands gently trail up and down my back, every so often kissing the top of my head. In no time, I find myself falling asleep, pulled under by the steady rhythm of his hands.
§
Slowly waking, I blink repeatedly. Turning my head, I instantly find the brown eyes of a certain guy staring right at me. Smiling, I yawn and turn to face him.
“Morning, sleepyhead,” he says, brushing hair off my face so he can kiss me.
“Morning, boyfriend.”
“Boyfriend, huh?” Brody laughs and lies down next to me. Changed into a pair of worn jeans and a black T-shirt, he smells like he took a shower and it’s heaven. Absolutely delectable.
“Mmm. Yeah. It’s funny, last night Garret called me your girlfriend and I didn’t correct him. So yeah, I guess your brother made it official.”
“Leave it to that asshole,” Brody jokes. He kisses me deeply, tongue swirling with mine, but he pulls away too soon for my liking. “For the record, I’ve considered you my girlfriend for a while now.”
“Yeah? You should’ve asked or something. I like to be wooed, Walker.”
“Wooed, huh? I’ll show you wooed,” Brody growls at me, rolling me under him as he kisses me again, this time leaving me dizzy and panting against his lips.
“Brody.”
“What do
you want, baby?”
But before I get the chance to answer him, my stomach growls loudly. I burst into laughter and Brody joins in, looking down at my stomach.
“Breakfast, Linds?”
“Feed me,” I joke, laughing when his eyes darken.
“Oh I’ll feed you all right.”
Swooping me out of the bed, he kiss the tip of my nose and swats me on the ass. I head for the bathroom with a smile, Brody going to the kitchen. After splashing some water on my face, I go in search of my bag so I can brush my teeth. Finding it on the couch in his living room, I pad back to his bedroom to get changed.
I know so much more is to come. I have no idea what Garret’s phone call will bring, but for now I focus on the good. I’m at my gorgeous boyfriend’s house, and maybe if I play my cards right, I’ll get lucky.
Looking up, I find Brody leaning against the doorway, jeans slung low on his hips, that dang V peeking out from under his shirt. His eyes are hooded as he watches me get changed. Keeping eye contact, I yank my nightshirt over my head.
Yeah, this girl is definitely getting lucky.
CHAPTER EIGHT
Brody
“Okay, I understand. Thank you, Jace. I appreciate it.” Lindsey ends the call and looks at me with a small smile.
“What?” I ask, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. We’re kicked back on the couch watching the ball game, but she’s been on the phone with Jace for the last ten minutes.
“They found some prints and stuff on the door, but they won’t have any answers for at least a couple more weeks. Other than that, nothing.”
Shaking her head, she burrows up to me and I pull her even closer. I don’t bother saying anything to try and make her feel better, because I know nothing will until we have answers.
“You wanna do something tonight?” she asks, tilting her chin up to look at me.
“I gotta run the bar tonight with Nate still being out. Wanna come with?”
Linds shrugs and agrees. I kiss her forehead, and we settle back down to finish the game. My mind keeps straying, unable to focus for long. I can feel the tension in her body, and I know deep down she was hoping the phone call would give her answers. I just hope that shit gets figured out soon.
