Page 81 of Colton On Guard

“Thanks.” Genna smiled. One thing about the Coltons, once they decided they liked you, they had your back. No matter what.

After Lakin left, Genna stretched out on the couch to nap again. She couldn’t seem to get enough sleep. Why not embrace it?

Some time later, her phone rang. Sitting up, she rubbed her eyes and squinted at the screen. Caller ID showed it was Kansas.

“I have news,” Kansas declared. “And I wanted you to be the first to know. We’ve arrested Chad, too. He’s being charged as an accessory to murder. Ann admitted he was there with her. She seemed rather proud of that, claiming it proved he loved her the most since he wanted you dead.”

Genna shuddered. “But why? That’s what I don’t understand. I moved away. Got out of their lives. What did I ever do to make them hate me so much?”

“We’re trying to get to the bottom of that now and establish motive. Ann claims that Chad never stopped talking about you and comparing Ann to you. Apparently, that was one of the numerous things that sent her over the edge, though between you and me, she was already there.”

“I’ll say,” Genna replied. “Chad was a serial philanderer. He left me for Ann, someone I thought was my best friend. And then he claimed he left her for another woman.”

“Claudia. That’s the name he keeps saying, but he can’t provide any specifics. I’m beginning to wonder if he made her up.” Kansas paused. “We’ll get this all sorted out. But I thought you’d want to know that they’re both in custody.”

“For how long?”

“Well, once the judge sets bail, they’ll have to stay here until they can make it. Attempted murder usually carries a pretty high dollar amount. And then they need to find someone to pay their bond. Do they have family around here?”

“Ann’s family is pretty wealthy,” Genna said. “They’ve been really good about getting her out of trouble in the past. Who knows though? They might have finally reached their limit.”

“You never know.” After asking Genna if she needed anything, Kansas said she had to go.

Parker swept in around five, bringing takeout. Apparently, the Coltons believed a good meal went a long way to fixing what ailed a person.

“Chinese,” he said, holding up a large paper bag. “I got us a little of everything.”

Revis pranced over to JB and sniffed her before coming to greet Genna. Parker took the food into the kitchen. When he returned, he leaned against the wall. “How was your day?” he asked. “Kansas told me both Ann and Chad have been charged.”

“Yes and they’re in custody. So at least I don’t have to worry about them for a while.”

“I know.” His smile widened. “Kansas thinks their bond will be set really high. At least there’s that.”

Watching him, for the first time she realized how powerful he appeared. Despite his broad shoulders and muscular arms, he never made a show of his physical strength. This, combined with his chiseled features and bright blue eyes, made him one of the most appealing men she’d ever met.

But she found the tender gentleness with which he treated her sexier.

Before she let desire take hold of her again, she wanted to get everything straight. “We need to talk,” she declared. Parker stared at her, the expression on his handsome face going from relaxed to wary.

“I’m not sure I like the sound of that,” he said. Then, before she could say another word, he continued. “Listen, I understand how you might feel it’s safe for you to go back home now thatyour stalkers are locked up. I get it and I agree. Except I really think you ought to consider staying here just a little bit longer.”

Stung, she swallowed. “Why?”

“Because you need to heal.” He came closer. “Let me help you with that. I’d like to take care of you.”

She pretended to consider. “But you have to work. What’s the difference if I’m alone over here or alone at my parents’ house?”

“You don’t want to stay?”

Since she couldn’t tell if he minded or not, she countered with her own question. “Do you really want me to?”

“Of course,” he answered without the slightest hesitation.

“But only because you think I need to be here until I get better?”

“Do you want the truth?” he asked, dropping down on the couch next to her wheelchair.

Though she suspected it might hurt, she turned her chair around to face him and answered in the affirmative.