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Rylan waited until Tanya pulled out a notebook before continuing. Leaving out the emotion the night he told Cameron, he told the officers what happened from the time Tristan and Declan had become friends, to the night of the attempted rape, and then the incident at the club and the next day as Rylan was moving out.

During the middle of his retelling, Cameron left his seat at the computer and wrapped Rylan in his arms. His hold centered him enough to get through it.

The room was silent as he stopped speaking and he watched as Tanya and Steven shared a look. After a minute, Tanya spoke.

“I won’t lie. He’s already attacked you both physically and verbally, and if we find evidence on the surveillance it was him, I recommend you both get a restraining order against him. But the order only does so much, so be aware of your surroundings whenever you leave the house and I would recommend you don’t go out alone at night. And because he could have snuck in after he threw the brick, get sensors added to your alarm system.”

Cameron’s arms shook as he gripped Rylan tighter to his chest.

“The background check came back clean.”

“They usually do. Our advice is document everything. If he calls, if you see him watching you when you're about town, anything. We can build a case based on what happened here and any other incidents that come up.” Both Tanya and Steven pulled out their business cards and handed them over. “Call if you have questions and dial 911 immediately if you're in danger.”

Rylan and Cameron both nodded.

“We’ll check the surveillance for today and several weeks prior to see if anyone suspicious comes up and we’ll let you know. For tonight, I recommend you board up the window and get a hotel room.”

“Thank you, we will,” Rylan whispered.

Steven shook his hand and then reached for Cameron’s. “I know if someone threatened my husband, I would have the same look on my face. But don’t do anything rash. Let us take care of him and keep each other safe.”

They watched as the officers drove away. Rylan was so lost in thought he didn’t notice two cars pull into the driveway. There were several loud voices, but it wasn’t until Issa’s scent surrounded him as she hugged him, then he snapped out of it and clung to her. Suzy was rubbing his back and smiling at him and he smiled back. The trio ushered everyone inside the house before they surrounded Rylan and the two women.

As the Aaron, Suzy, and Issa kept him company, Cameron ran out to the shed with Tim and Eric. They boarded up the broken window before Cameron ran upstairs and packed a suitcase for them.

“Why do you think Tristan hates me so much?”

“Oh, honey, I don’t think he does,” Issa rubbed his back, “I think he believes you belong to him. That’s why he paid so much attention to you. I hate to say it, but he thought you were flirting with him and in his drunk mind, he attacked you because he thought you wanted him. But you moved on and Cameron protected you from him, and he’s pissed he lost the control he thought he had over you.”

Rylan scoffed. “I’ve never belonged to him. I didn’t even speak to him much, and I didn’t encourage him.”

“We know. There’s nothing you could have done, it’s all on him. He’s the aggressor. That’s what makes him so dangerous, because in his twisted mind, you do.”

Cameron growled as he heard Issa’s words. He lifted Rylan off the couch and they clung to one another as Rylan breathed him in, convincing himself they were okay.

“I hate to say this, but if his obsession hasn’t waned in the four years since he tried to rape you, he is capable of things we aren’t even considering.”

“How do you know this, Issa?”

“My sister had a stalker. We contacted police and other professionals that deal with stalkers. I even spoke to a stalker advocate in England for advice. The results in stalker cases are bleak if they already displayed violence. Stick close to Cameron, or us, or the trio. Never go out alone if you can help it.”

Aaron cleared his throat and Rylan flushed, realizing the trio didn’t know about Tristan’s attack before tonight.

“Hey, Rylan, it’s not your fault. If you ever need us, call and we’ll be here.”

Tim and Eric nodded.

“We’re all packed. I called dad, and he called a handyman he’s used over the years and he’ll be by late in the morning tomorrow to fix the window.”

Rylan nodded. Dejection rushed through him for bringing violence and problems into Cameron’s life, but his husband kissed him.

“They’re right. You aren’t responsible for whatever is going on in Tristan’s head. It’s his fault for forcing himself on you and spewing every hurtful thing he could think of when you didn’t fall for him. Don’t let him get to you?”

Cameron kissed him, leaving Rylan breathless when he pulled back.

“You are beautiful, inside and out, on top of being talented and successful. The luckiest day of my life was when we met and I will spend the rest of our lives loving you and protecting you.”

“I love you and I’ll protect you, too?”

“I know you will, angel. Let’s get to the hotel and get settled for the night.”

Rylan leaned close to Cameron’s ear and whispered. “I need you inside me. I want you to warm me up and make me shiver in a good way.”

Cameron straightened and reached for his hand. With the other, he grabbed the suitcase and corralled the rest of the group out of the house, setting the alarm and locking the front door.

Rylan smiled as Cameron moved toward the car threw the suitcase in the trunk. He hugged their friends, thanking them for their support, before joining Cameron at the car. Despite the horrible few hours after dinner, he wouldn’t spoil the rest of the night with his husband.