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Yup, definitely familiar.

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“Here’s your computer back, Miss Skye.”

“Thanks.”

“He with you?” Detective Oscar asked with a head jerk towards Rhys.

“Yeah. Jake’s recruiting from our pool of friends for ‘Piper Babysitting Duty’.”

“Don’t be stubborn about letting them help.” Her expression softened. “Speaking of Jake, it looks like he’s here to relieve the sitter.”

Turning around, I saw him stop and talk to Rhys. “Weird. He wasn’t expecting to be done at work until late tonight.” I looked at him again as he headed towards us. “Shit. Something’s wrong.”

Detective Oscar’s head tilted for a second before her body got tight. “You can say that again.” Her face returned to controlled and professional. “Mr. Hyde.”

Jake’s vibe was dark and tense, his tone short and clipped. “Detective Oscar, a word?”

“What’s wrong?” I asked, going up on my tiptoes to try and make him look at me.

Instead, he kissed my forehead distractedly. “I just need to talk to Detective Oscar about somethin’. Go see, Rhys, yeah?”

“Come on, darlin’. Let’s get some coffee.” Rhys put his arm around my shoulders and guided me towards a small kitchenette.

When Jake didn’t even react, I knew something wasn’t wrong.

Something wasreallywrong.

After what felt like hours, but was probably only about five minutes, Detective Oscar opened a door and stuck her head out. “Miss Skye, can you come in here?”

My stomach twisted and turned as I made my way to the room she was in.

I hadn’t noticed Rhys following until Detective Oscar looked behind me. “Sir, I think it might be best if you waited out here.”

“And I think it might be best if I came,” Rhys’ low voice argued, his easy smile gone.

“Detective Oscar,” Jake rumbled from inside the room. “Like you said, the more Piper and those around her know, the better.”

“Fine. Miss Skye and…” she paused, waiting for Rhys to introduce himself. When he just looked down at her silently, she continued. “Sir, please take a seat.” Detective Oscar walked around her desk and sat down.

Stiffly, I lowered myself into one of the chairs in front of her. My body was taut and rigid as I sat, literally, on the edge of my seat and waited to hear what was going on.

Jake stood behind me and gave my shoulder a squeeze. His thumb ran along the nape of my neck.

I turned to look back at him, but his focus was on a bagged envelope on Detective Oscar’s desk.

Rhys leaned against the wall by the door. Catching his gaze, he smiled at me but his dimples were barely noticeable.

Uh oh. Something is reallyfreakin’wrong.

“Jake got a package at work today.” After putting on gloves, Detective Oscar moved an evidence bag with a manila envelope in it to uncover two more bags. Grabbing one, she carefully opened it and removed a ball of fabric.

As it unraveled, I realized what they were.

“Those are my panties,” I whispered.

“Have you worn these recently?”