Page 32 of Bennett

This was going to be interesting, to say the least. And by interesting, she meant a complete pain in the ass.

She glanced around the room, her shoulders sagging under the weight of the silence. It felt massive now that she was alone, the lack of furniture amplifying every creak and whisper of air. And the fact that the rest of the apartments up here were nothing but shells didn’t help. The bare studs and open spaces gave sound a strange, distorted quality.

It’s just an unfinished building, she told herself. Nothing to freak out about.

But it sure as hell felt like something was watching her.

The phone in her pocket buzzed, making her jump. “Damn it,” she muttered, fumbling for the device.

Annie’s name flashed across the screen, her timing impeccable as usual. Laurel swiped to answer, her voice coming out a little more breathless than intended.

“Hey, Aunt Annie.”

“Hey, sweetheart. You settled in okay?”

“Sort of,” she replied, trying to steady her pulse. “The guys left a while ago. I’ve got a sleeping bag, a pillow, and enough snacks to feed a squirrel army.”

“Well, at least you’re not starving. And you sound way too awake to be murdered.”

“Yep, still alive.” Laurel managed a grin. “Though I nearly had a heart attack when you called. This place is a little…echoey.”

Her aunt chuckled. “Echoey or not, I appreciate you being there. You’re taking a big load off my shoulders, you know.”

“Hey, anything for you. I’ll check in with Brandi tomorrow, but for now, I’m just getting settled.”

“Good. And remember, if you need anything—”

“I’ll let you know. Promise.”

“All right, honey. You get some rest. And try not to let Bennett drive you too crazy.”

Laurel’s lips twitched. “No promises.”

Why did people keep saying that? Especially since it was unlikely she’d be seeing him again.

Annie’s laugh warmed her chest before the call ended, leaving her in silence once again.

Determined not to let the weird, uneasy feeling get to her, she wandered back out to the kitchen, deciding a snack was in order. Anything to keep her brain occupied and away from the fact that this place felt way too big and empty. She stayed away from the uncovered windows, too.

She had just reached for a granola bar when she heard it.

Footsteps.

Heavy, measured, and coming up the stairs.

Her muscles went rigid, her hand freezing mid-reach. The guys had left over fifteen minutes ago. They would’ve had no reason to come back, and it wasn’t like anyone else was supposed to be here.

Her pulse pounded in her ears, her thoughts racing. Was someone breaking in? Surely, the guys had locked the back door on their way out.

Laurel’s gaze snapped to the few things she’d laid out on the counter. Weapons, weapons…what the hell could she use as a weapon?

The only thing within arm’s reach was a travel-sized bottle of hand sanitizer.

Seriously?

“Oh, for crying out loud,” she muttered, her voice a strained whisper.

But she didn’t have time to find something better. The footsteps had reached the landing.