Page 24 of Hidden With You

I sag, the humor and lightness going right out the window. “Right. And you really think there’s meat behind that, not just some jerk being an asshole and trying to scare me.”

“Honestly? I don’t know.” He reaches over and takes my hand, then squeezes it. “But I’m going to find out. That’s why I’m here. Not sex. I’m here to keep you safe and to get answers. And Zelda, I’m going to do my job.”

I nod, suddenly feeling sober. We’re looking at each other, not saying anything, when my phone buzzes. “Someone’s at the gate,” I say, recognizing the tone.

I put it on speaker, and Frank tells us that the team from Stark Security has arrived. I authorize access, and a few minutes later, there are four members of Stark Security standing in my living room. Leah, who tells me that Ryan sent her since we’re friends. Mario and Owen, neither of whom I’ve met but apparently work in tech and analysis. And Trevor, who I met at the party and is another field agent like Leah and Jasper.

“Why exactly are you guys here?” I ask the group.

“We’re going to do a walk-through of the property and see if there’s anything that needs to be upgraded,” Jasper explains. “Plus, Mario and Owen are going to get into your databases, download all of the camera footage, and hook up a direct link to our offices so we can keep an eye on your place in real time. That, and a lot more details. Do you really want the full agenda?”

“No. I trust you all to do your jobs. What do you need from me?”

“I assume the computer hard drive and other equipment are in the big house?” Mario says.

I nod.

“And do you go in there at all? Or do you just live here?” That from Owen, who, like everybody else who comes to visit, seems to be fascinated with the fact that I’m not interested in living in that monstrosity.

“I live here, but I do keep an office in the big house. There’s more room for bookshelves, and I can go there to write and get away from where I live.” I turn my attention to Jasper. “Do I need to move my computer in here? Or can I go there to write when I want to?”

“Do you mind staying here?” Jasper asks.

“I guess not. It’s just that when you start to write, you get used to having a specific space. It can throw me off for a few days if I’m not tucked in where I’m supposed to be. Then again, I’m not on a tight deadline. But why is it important?”

“The house still gets deliveries, and you have staff living there or coming and going. You mentioned that the housekeeper, Tricia, still makes meals for you and delivers them to your studio. There must be maintenance and repair teams coming in and out, not to mention landscaping, someone to take care of the pool, and—”

“I get it. It’s easy to get inside if someone’s determined.”

Jasper nods.

“Fine. I’ll stay here.” I glance at him. “I’ll be more distracted when I’m trying to work, but I’ll get by.”

“I think wherever you work there’ll be distractions. A threat like this is a big distraction.”

“Probably true,” I say, not bothering to add that I was thinking of him. The rest of the team probably doesn’t need that tidbit of information.

“I’m assuming you need to go grab a few things?” he says.

I nod. “I need my notes for sure. A few other things.”

“Okay. Why don’t you and Leah go do that? I’m going to stay here and work with these guys.”

Five minutes later, Leah and I are walking across the property. “You wanna tell me what’s going on between the two of you?”

I wince. I should have known she’d figure out there was something. She’s known me too long, after all.

“There might have been a thing at Jamie’s party.”

“A thing?”

“He’s hot,” I say. “And I didn’t even know what he did for a living then.”

She twists her mouth, clearly unhappy with what’s going on. “Listen. Just don’t be stupid. Jasper’s new to Stark Security, and I don’t really know him. But from what I’ve heard, this guy’s got issues. Someone killed his family.”

“I know. He told me.”

“Yeah, well, I bet he didn’t tell you all of it.”