Page 15 of Guarded Knight (Echo Valley #3)

After my post shower run-in, Gabriel made himself scarce. I’ll hand it to him, he isn’t trying to cramp my style. Annoyingly, my workday still consisted of many trips to the window to stare down at the top of his truck.

I couldn’t get him off my mind.

But I’ve thought about myself, too. I avoided those eyes of his and any close contact for years just to stay safe from falling for him again.

I thought the distance would change things, and time…

like everyone always promises. But now that we’re a team again, it doesn’t feel dangerous, like I’m out in the open waiting to be taken down by a sniper, it feels like I’m wandering onto fertile soil, tapping into that root system again.

But isn’t that why I left Starlight Canyon in the first place? To not have people worry about me and to be fiercely independent and make mistakes that don’t make my loved ones freak out?

But it’s not like becoming friends again would stop me from leaving…

right? If this financial stuff at Scarlet Hope turns out to be fraud, I’ll have no choice but to leave here.

I’ll have to go where the next job takes me.

A girl like me can’t afford a day without health insurance. My meds cost an arm and a leg.

I grab my Stanley cup from the coffee table holding up my feet and sip away the dry melancholy in my throat.

It doesn’t feel right that Gabriel and I can’t be connected. But the right thing doesn’t always feel good.

I’d know better than anyone.

Freya agreed to work from the apartment today, thank God, because Gabriel stays in his truck when we’re here, which means I actually got some work done.

I place my laptop on the couch beside me and head down the hallway toward my room. I don’t want to disturb Freya with my phone call. Nor do I want the hairs on the back of her neck standing up.

My cell rings in my ear. I need to catch Kevin. I can’t get this next newsletter done without understanding this Harris Family donation, and he never responded to yesterday’s email. He picked up Freya’s calls, so I know he isn’t unavailable.

I could delay the report until after I see him at the donor event next week, but I’m a stickler for good communication with people who give us money. It feels like it rings forever before he picks up.

But he does. “Lara.”

“Hi, Kevin. Just following up on my email. Did you…?”

“Ah yes. The Harris donation. Sit tight. They’ll send me a report soon, I’m sure.”

“Are you sure?” I don’t want to piss off my boss, but I’m not a pushover.

“I still don’t have the reports you said Sickle Cell Care would send and I asked about that at the beginning of the month.

Keeping donations rolling in means letting donors know their money is actually being put to good use. We need to be on top of these things.”

I bite my lip. I probably shouldn’t have suggested my boss isn’t on top of things, but this is bullshit. We can’t give away hundreds of thousands, hell, it’s well over a million from my calculations, to other charities and not know where it’s going.

His pause is so long, I either annoyed him or we lost connection.

Finally, a blow-off. “I can’t control other people’s time.”

But you do control who gets Scarlet Hope’s money.

“I understand that. And I know you’re busy, so if you want to hand this off to me… It doesn’t make sense for our CEO to chase these things anyway. I could chase it, or Nina from finance.”

“Leave it with me. I can get through to the higher-ups more easily than you could.”

Another one of Kevin’s phrases that makes you wonder if he’s just being blunt or if he’s trying to put you in your place.

It’s always been an uphill battle with my boss, but after overhearing his call yesterday with Freya, it’s taking brute strength to see the best in him.

“Thanks.” My gratitude is reluctant. “I send the newsletter out on the last day of the month so I’d love either news on this donation or even tracking back to last quarter.

I don’t want our work to sound flimsy.” And then, maybe it’s trite, but I pull the only power move I have.

“I’m raising the majority of funds here. I can’t do it on the back of vapor.”

A beat. “Bye, Lara.”

And the line goes dead.

Shoot. He didn’t like that. I know I can be pushy, but for goodness’ sake, I’ve been patient for a month now. I already doctored my last two reports. I don’t want to write fluff again and I care more about our donors and our cause than I do Kevin’s feelings.

I walk back into the living area and put my phone on the end table next to the sofa where I’ve been working.

Freya has already closed her laptop and is packing up her things. “You ready?”

We said we’d head to Main Street to explore after work. I’m not done, but I can’t do any more without her annoying boyfriend’s help.

I need to tell her all of this. I probably should have mentioned it at the beginning of the month. I’ll see what Kevin does this time. One more chance, but if I don’t have news by the donor event next week, I’m going on the job hunt and encouraging Freya to do the same.

Plus, informing authorities.

I hope I’m wrong.

It would be a lot easier to move from Echo Valley with a job than without one.

She shimmies on her jacket. “I vote dinner out. Maybe that place with the string lights?”

My head’s still tangled in spreadsheets and the kind of financial smoke that’s like chasing ghosts. But I close my laptop. “Sure. If it means I don’t have to wash dishes or think about tax receipts, I’m in.”

It’s almost five when we leave and pass Gabriel’s truck parked on Main Street, golden hour draping Echo Valley in soft light.

Considering how he’s been constantly on my mind, it’s better I don’t stop to chat.

We pass the truck with a mere wave, but the soft close of his truck door behind us is a hit to the chest.

He’ll follow me. Watch me. But I imagine him less like a bodyguard and more like a voyeur, which leads my thoughts straight to the bedroom again. Damn, I didn’t even read smut last night.

Freya threads her arm through mine. “I can’t believe there are so many great shops and things here. They sure do take care of the town.”

It’s true. This place isn’t worn down. Storefronts glow, couples stroll hand in hand, and the smell of woodfire from a pizza place invites me to do a U-turn on the string light restaurant. Echo Valley is charm on tap. And under normal circumstances, I’d soak it in.

But I’m not relaxed. Not just because Cameron could be around. No, I’ve told myself Gabriel and Anton could kick the shit out of him anyway, and with G on the couch, any midnight rendezvous, notes, or photographs are impossible.

My heart races, not for that but because even with Freya’s easy chatter and soft dusk on my skin, I can feel him.

Gabriel doesn’t hover. Doesn’t interrupt. But he’s there. A shadow on the sidewalk. A reflection in the bakery window.

Freya barely notices. She’s in a post-work daze, stopping to pet every dog and browse every shop window. I smile like everything’s normal. Like my ex isn’t a stalker. Like the man I once thought was my soulmate isn’t currently tailing me.

Dinner is quick and easy, burgers and sweet potato fries under a heat lamp in the cool autumn air at a place with twinkle lights strung over the awning on the street. Gabriel doesn’t eat. Doesn’t drink. Just leans against the wall of the adjacent storefront with those hot aviators on.

By the time we get home, the weight of it all has calcified in my shoulders.

I kick off my boots and toss my bag onto the couch. “We never even checked if this place has cable.”

“Oh crap.” Freya lingers by the door, sifting through her purse. “I must have left my scarf on the back of the chair at the diner. I’ll be right back. It’s only a few blocks down.”

“Don’t mind me if I simply digest.” I pat my stomach.

“All good.” She beams.

She leaves, and I fall into the couch like a heap of junk.

I hope this is sorted soon. I’m not made for worrying.

Knowing my life is shorter than most has manifested in a carpe diem kind of attitude, a shit happens, it is what it is, this too shall pass mentality that, I think, has been mostly good for me, apart from I haven’t saved money for a rainy day.

That could bite me in the ass now that I’m on these meds.

But also… I never worried because my life is so full. I’ve had a lot of joys. My family loves me dearly, and because we all know it could all end any day now, we’re tight. We don’t fight much. We going on vacation together. Everything.

I sigh. I miss Xander. And my nieces… I wish they hadn’t moved across the country…

Knock. Knock.

I’m so startled by the noise I gasp. I sit upright before reminding myself that it can’t be Cameron because G was only two steps behind us.

I peek through the peephole.

No, G isn’t two steps behind; he’s here.

I open the door. “Is everything okay?”

He steps in without asking. “We need to talk for a minute while Freya is gone.”

His voice is steady, but something behind his eyes is storming.

I fold my arms, but not with my usual sass, it’s more to keep myself upright this time. “Let me guess. Aliens really did build the pyramids?”

He doesn’t answer right away and doesn’t laugh either, so I know this is next-level serious.

“What is it?”

His question comes out clipped and abrupt. “Did Cameron have a key?”

My stomach drops.

I take a step back. “Excuse me?”

Gabriel softens. “We’re trying to figure out how he got in. There’s no sign of forced entry, and I never asked so I need to. Did he ever have a key to your place?”

“You think I gave him a key and forgot to mention it?” My voice spikes. “Are you out of your mind?”

“I’m not accusing…”

“Yes, you are,” I snap. “You think I’m dumb enough to hand over a key to a man I was dating casually?”

His jaw flexes, but he holds my stare. “I’m sure there was a time when you weren’t dating casually.”

I narrow my eyes. “I don’t take men seriously enough to share keys, Gabriel. And even if I did, don’t you think I’m smart enough to mention something like that?”

“I do…” He steps closer like he’s holding back something seismic. “But Cameron has an alibi for the night the note and money were left. I’m not trying to put you on the defensive here, but we need the whole picture. I’d rather nail him for breaking and entering in Santa Fe than set a trap here.”

My stomach twists. He has an alibi? How?

“You didn’t give him a key. Did Freya?”

“Freya?” My face twists at the thought of it. “That would be weird. No…”

“It’s possible…”

“No it isn’t.” I bite, halfway between annoyance and wishing I hadn’t come here, where I have to confront all these questions that somehow put my judgment under a glaring spotlight.

I hate this. Do people really think I can’t handle my life? Sure, I picked a guy who went off the rails but I never let him that close… not really. And if one thing is certain, I know how to pick a friend.

I can’t help but glare at Gabriel.

“Freya’s my best friend. She’s been just as mortified over all of this as I have.

” My throat tightens thinking about all Freya has endured with a smile on her face and a hug at the ready.

“Do you know how hard it is for me to have introduced this trouble into what was once our sanctuary? That woman is loyal as hell. Freya being a problem is a million miles away from the answer, G. Try again.”

“I’m only asking because he got in without force.” Gabriel reaches out and touches my arm. “Hey. I have to ask. It’s the job.”

I glance down at his hand on my arm.

A job.

That’s all I am to him. Not the girl he kissed, not the woman I’ve fought to become—just the weak kid he once knew, breakable in his eyes no matter how hard I’ve proven otherwise. The way his words slice through me feels worse than Cameron’s shadow.

Because I thought maybe—just maybe—he was starting to see me differently. “Well, the answer is no, Sherlock.”

Just then, Freya walks through the door, and her gaze lands on us. Darting between us like she just interrupted something.

“Okay to come in?”

“Nope,” I mutter, snatching my jacket off the couch. “Let’s go back out.” I shoot G a look that could kill. “I need a drink.”

For the first time since Freya has met Gabriel, her gaze on him is narrow—because if she’s anything, she’s my ride or die.

“Absolutely.”

We swiftly move out the door and back into the night.

But I don’t know if I’m running from him or toward something worse. All I know is, I need to feel something other than this.