Page 37 of Guarded Knight

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’spossible…”

“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.

10

By the timewe reach the bar, I still haven’t walked the frustration out of my system. It felt like Gabriel was inching toward mending this rift. And now I’m reminded of all the times I was micromanaged, not by Gabriel, per se, but life in general.

I have an angel on my shoulder who tells me people care about me deeply and a devil that says they think I’m fragile. Incapable.