Page 57

“We’ll be okay.”

He hadn’t realized he was shaking until Cameron tightened his hold and repeated his earlier words.

He took several deep, calming breaths until the tension lessened in his chest and shoulders. Rylan sagged against Cameron’s chest and relaxed as his scent washed over him.

But flashing lights pulled in behind their car and they were both alert until an officer knocked on the driver’s side window and Cameron rolled it down.

“We’ll go check to see if there’s anyone in the house. You two stay here.”

Cameron nodded and handed her the house key and gave her the alarm code.

They watched with wide eyes as the two officers unlocked the front door and drew their weapons before disappearing through the door and into the darkness of their house. It was quiet, the sound of the crickets and an occasional car driving by droned on in the background until the two cops emerged from the house. Both of them exited Cameron’s side of the car and they went to meet the officers at the front door.

The woman they spoke with held up a brick packed in a clear, plastic bag. “Nothing looks disturbed and there was no entry to the house. The alarm was still armed. Does anyone have a problem with either of you? Any confrontations or threats?”

Rylan’s mind blanked, and he shook his head.

“Yes.”

His head snapped up, and he stared at Cameron.

“Tristan.”

“I don’t even know if he’s still in town. And how would he know where we live?”

Cameron pulled Rylan closer and glanced at both officers. “I have surveillance cameras on the front and back entrances.”

“Good. Does the footage save?”

He nodded. “Yeah, it saves to a separate drive on my computer. Is it okay to go in the house?”

“Yeah, it’s all clear.”

The officer handed Cameron his keys, and they went inside. As the three others went to the computer, Rylan shut and locked the door behind them.

“Would you like coffee?”

“We’d love some. I’m Tanya Greg and this is my partner, Steven Corner. Please use our first names.”

“Thank you. I’m Rylan and this is my husband Cameron. I’ll go make a pot.”

Working from instinct, Rylan started a pot to brew before he moved to the back door and blew out a breath when he found it locked. He then closed the blinds and the curtains over the sink, feeling better someone couldn’t see in from the outside. When the coffeemaker beeped, he jumped at the sound and felt his heart beating hard in his chest.

Not wanting to let Cameron out of his sight for too long, he reached for the mugs, the creamer, and the sugar, then placed the items and the thermal pot onto a tray before carrying it to the living room. He set the tray down and poured the coffee, everyone dismissing the condiments and taking their coffee black as they watched the screen.

“Who’s Tristan?”

“Tristan Scott is my older brother’s best friend. He hates me.”

Tanya stared at him for a long while. “I think there’s more to that story.”

Rylan glanced down at his feet and swallowed hard. Other than Cameron, he’d told no one of the assault and shame made his chest throb.

“If this is him, it shows he’s violent and violent people don’t stop. They only escalate until someone’s hurt or dead.”

He swallowed and thought about Cameron getting hurt because Rylan didn’t tell them the truth and that alone had Rylan blurting out his story.

“It happened four years ago.”