Page 68 of Guarding Over You
Blaze didn’t answer. He was already moving, his long strides eating up the space between them as his gaze swept the parking lot again. His warm and steady hand came to rest on her back, guiding her slightly behind him as if it were instinct. As if he were going to shield her from harm.
It was then that she noticed the bulge under his shirt. He was wearing agun.
Why hadn’t she’d known he had one? Or that he would walk out with it on him?
He was supposed to be here to help calm her and it was only revving her up.
He crouched by the rear tire, the set of his shoulders telling her everything. “That’s not a slow leak,” he muttered. “Someone cut it. It’s a clean slice, deep enough to ruin it and get their point across quickly. Maybe even if they were in a hurry.”
Her throat felt tight. “I thought so. The note was on the windshield again.”
“Let me see it.”
She handed it over. He didn’t even unfold it right away, just looked at the paper for a moment, his jaw flexing.
Then he opened it and read.
The muscle at his temple jumped. “Whoever did this isn’t just trying to scare you,” he said. “They’re testing boundaries. Seeing how close they can get without being caught.”
Her pulse jumped. “You think they’re here?”
His eyes lifted, sweeping the rows of cars again. “If they were, they’re gone now.” He straightened, folding the note carefully before handing it back. “I’m going to change your tire, but you need to report this to security and see if they can find anything on the cameras.”
“You want me to do that now? I’ve got to get Gracie.”
“You need to do it,” he said. “I can pick her up if you want, or can she stay later? You need to call the police on top of it.”
She didn’t want to do any of those things but knew he was right.
“Let me call the daycare first and let them know what is going on. She can stay until six, it’s just I normally get her before five, but I don’t want them worried.”
“Do that and we’ll take care of this without her around to witness it.”
“Thanks, Blaze.”
“Don’t thank me yet. If I find out who is doing this, you might not like the side of me that’s making you wary.”
“Hard not to be. You’ve got a gun on you.”
“I do and I will again if someone gets near you.”
“Just as I expected. Not alone.”
I shake my head. Arden has been warned.
Words aren’t enough. Now she needs to feel it.
It’s my turn now to get what is due to me.
My turn for her and everyone else to know what I’ve gone through and what I’m feeling. What I’ve felt.
I start the car, content that my voice is finally being heard. A small, satisfied smile lifts the corners of my mouth as I pullaway, gliding past Arden’s parked car and the evidence of my work.
22
HIS PROBLEM TOO
“Motherfucker,” Blaze muttered, muscles straining as the lug nut refused to budge. He tried again, swore louder this time and it still wouldn’t give.
