Page 99 of Die for You

Officer Jackson leads Aurora outside to question her where we can’t hear them. My jaw clenches. I don’t like her alone with anyone we don’t know or trust.

In the middle of the room, Officer Williams hovers awkwardly with his arms folded. He’d rather be at home with his wife and a meatloaf.

“Someone called in a false tip,” I tell him. “We’re being harassed.”

Officer Williams frowns, interest piqued now. “Harassed? In what way?”

“Watching us through our fucking windows,” Damien growls. “Slashing our tires.”

Williams pulls out a notebook to jot it down. “Do you know who this person is?”

“Her ex.” Damien nods at the front door, where Aurora has disappeared with the other officer.

“And do you have proof of this person’s identity?”

We fall silent. Finn didn’t get a clear look at Jeremiah’s face in the window, and we didn’t witness him slash our tires. But we do have something.

“He broke into her apartment. We have a video. And she’s already filed a restraining order against him.”

The front door squeaks open, Aurora and Officer Jackson finally returning. Aurora’s expression is more troubled now, and all I want to do is close the distance between us and hold her to me, comfort her.

Somehow, Officer Williams still doesn’t look convinced. “So you believe her ex-boyfriend is the one who called in the false tip about the potential abduction?”

“Obviously.” Damien’s on his feet now, arms folded.

“While all of this information is certainly concerning”—Officer Williams casts all six-seven of Damien a wary look—“a woman called for the welfare check.”

Damien, Finn, and I exchange a look. What woman would call in a welfare check on Aurora? Jeremiah is the one messing with us. The only one with a stake in this.

“It must’ve been Barb,” Aurora suggests. “His mother.”

My teeth grind together. Now the bastard’s having his mother do his dirty work. Throwing the police off his scent.

He’s more clever than I gave him credit for. Which makes our job that much more difficult.

The police thank us for our time and head out the door. They called the fucking police on us. Sent them to our house in another attempt to get Aurora away from us.

An uncomfortable silence hangs over us when the door clicks shut behind the officers.

Damien’s ready to explode, Finn’s quiet fury a ticking bomb, and Aurora...she chews her lip, twists her fingers, and shifts uncomfortably. More distressed than ever.

Finally, I close the gap between us and hug her. She’s cold in my arms, and it isn’t until I’m holding her flush against me that I notice her hands are shaking. I rub her back in soothing strokes. “It’s okay. You’re going to be okay. We won’t let anything happen to you.”

“I know.” She steps out of my grasp with a small, grateful smile until it melts away and she looks between the three of us. “I’m sorry. For bringing all of this to your doorstep. I can leave if you want.”

“Don’t be fucking ridiculous, Aurora.” Damien snatches her up and carries her to the couch, pinning her in his lap. “You’re not going anywhere.”

To Finn, I gesture to the front door, and he follows me out. We could both use some air.

The officers are pulling away from the sidewalk and heading down the road when a husky, feminine voice calls out, “The fucking cops?”

“They’re not in cuffs in the backseat,” Trey drawls. “Must not have killed anybody.”

Sienna races up to us, brown hair floating behind her. “What happened?”

“Why the hell were the cops parked in front of our house?” Luke frowns, gaze following after them.

I can’t even bring myself to be happy to see my friends. “According to Jeremiah’s mother, we abducted Aurora. They came to do a welfare check.”