Page 105 of Diamonds

Maddox steps inside, looks around.

“Okay, Alissa.Come inside.But keep the door open.”

I do so.I look around.I let out a sigh of relief.Everything is still neat and tidy.Nothing out of place.No one’s been here.

Or if they were…they’ve covered their tracks well.

31

MADDOX

Alissa’s living room is clear.

I check her bedroom next.Not a throw pillow out of place.I make sure to check under her bed, in her walk-in closet.

Then her bathroom.I peek behind the shower curtain.

She’s all clear.

I turn to her.“I think you’re okay to stay here.”

She widens her eyes.“But… What if someonewashere?What if they just covered their tracks?”

I frown.“I suppose that’s possible.But it seems unlikely.If anything, I would think Rouge and her minions would want to intimidate you.Leaving your place in perfect shape wouldn’t exactly be accomplishing that.”

She gulps.“I suppose not.”

“But if you’d like, you can come with me to my place.We’ll check it out.And then we’ll come back here, and I’ll stand guard while you shower, get dressed.”I cup her cheek.“I’ll stay with you until you feel safe again, Alissa.I promise you that.”

She smiles.“I’d like that.”

“Okay.Let’s head over now.”

We leave Alissa’s apartment, making sure all the locks are engaged.She doesn’t have a security system, which I’ll be rectifying as soon as I can.We make the short drive to my place.

I park in my reserved spot behind the shop and turn to Alissa.“Heads up.It’s probably a little messy.And that’s if ithasn’tbeen searched.”

“I don’t mind a little mess.”She smiles, but her eyes are distant.

Once again I tell her to run as fast as she can away from here if something bad happens, and once again she agrees.But when I open the door to my place and walk in…

Again.Nothing.Everything is how I left it when I departed for the club last night.Not a cufflink out of place.

Just to be sure, I check every potential hiding spot while Alissa sits on my couch, tapping her fingers against the armrest.

And we’re clear.

No one came here last night.

But like I told Alissa, I’ll stay with her all day if she needs.I’ll keep the shop closed another day, spend the day with her.Make love to her.Cook her dinner.Whatever she wants.

I plunk down on the couch next to her.“I think we’re all set here.”

She nuzzles her head into my shoulder.“Thank God.”She sits up, looks into my eyes.“Do you think we’re okay?”

I draw in a long breath, rub at my left temple.“I don’t know if I’d say we’re okay.But we’re safe for now.We might want to keep a low profile for a while.Maybe take a trip.Wait for all the Bill stuff to blow over before we investigate in the club again.”

She widens her eyes.“A trip would be lovely!Maybe we could visit my father in the UK.It’s been years since I’ve been back home.”