Page 128 of Capturing You

She hated that he knew her that well. She hated that she’d ever been honest with him, giving him ammunition to weaponize her vulnerability.

“Your optimism is amazing, but sometimes it gets you in trouble.”

Like when she’d believed Lenny loved her. Like when she’d trusted Forbes to be honest with her.

Yes, her optimism was a problem.

“I was afraid,” Lenny continued, “that you’d come home, hoping the men who’d chased you would leave you alone. And”—he gestured toward her as if she’d made his point for him—“here you are. So I was right. Where have you been, anyway?”

“Where I go is none of your business. What I do is none of your business. My safety is none of your business. Mylifeis none of your business. Get out.”

“Brookie—”

“Get. Out.”

When he didn’t move, she walked past him, her pulse thumping in her ears. She needed to get somewhere safe so she could call Nathan. His partner would talk him down and get him out of her apartment.

Lenny’s footsteps followed. “Where are you going?”

“To the bathroom. That okay with you?”

He grabbed her hand, but she yanked out of his grasp and bolted.

She made it to the bathroom and locked the door behind her.

Had she outrun him? Or had he let her go? She didn’t know.

“I’m calling the police.”

“No need.” His voice sounded from right on the other side of the door. “I’ll leave. I didn’t mean… I’m sorry I scared you.”

“Next time you want tonotscare a woman, maybe don’t break into her apartment.”

His sigh was heavy. “I was worried, that’s all. I would never hurt you. I love you.”

“I won’t put up with your brand of love.” She softened her tone. “It’s over, Lenny. It’s been over for a long time.” She needed to be honest, and forceful. She needed him to understand that she meant what she said. So even though she didn’t want to hurt him, she added, “You need to leave, now. And don’t come back.”

She clasped her hands together to minimize their trembling and prayed he’d do as she said.

For a long moment, there was nothing but silence. And then, his footsteps retreated. A door opened, and closed.

He was gone, for now.

But not forever. She sat on the edge of the tub and dialed Nathan. He’d offered to help her with Lenny. It was time to take him up on it.

* * *

After she explainedto Nathan exactly what had happened, he assured her he’d keep an eye on his partner. “Worst-case scenario, I’ll talk to the chief.”

“His father,” she said.

“In the department, even to Lenny, Leo is the chief. He’ll take care of it.”

Assuming the man could be trusted, but he’d been an owner of the charter company with the seagull logo. Maybe he’d been involved with The Network.

Was he still? Was Leo Taggart the reason the operation had returned to Shadow Cove? Was he the reason that nobody had been arrested yet?

When she asked about Bryce Dawson, Nathan said, “We’re looking for him, but he hasn’t gone home or to work all week. Portland PD is on it. When Dawson pokes his head out of hiding, they’ll catch him.”