Page 11 of Jessica's Hero

Will I? Not yet. Not when this feels so right.

“We’re going to figure this out,” I tell her.

Hope lightens her gaze for a moment before fading. “How?”

“First, I’m going to your house with you. I want to see everything.”

Jess frowns. “You won’t be able to tell things are different. I don’t have proof. It’s not like I took pictures inside my house. So you wouldn’t know that the chair used to be on the other side of the couch. Or that I used to have a bowl of fruit in the kitchen. It’s just my word against?—”

“I believe you.” Though I know I shouldn’t, I can’t resist giving her hand a comforting squeeze. “I believe you, Jess. All of it. And I’m furious that no one has helped you until now. That’s not how things are supposed to work.”

Jess starts to say something, but stops herself. Her brows wing into a worried V. “But… what should I do about my house? If my security isn’t working…”

“Do you have someone you can stay with? For tonight at least, so we can get your security system checked out. Possibly upgraded.”

Or definitely upgraded. Because I’m not letting Jess go back there alone until I’m satisfied it’s completely safe.

“No,” she replies quietly. “I don’t have anywhere to go.”

Oh.

I can’t remember the last time I saw this much sorrow in someone’s eyes. And my gut—screw that, my heart—is screaming at me to hold her.

But I can’t. I shouldn’t. It’s not my place.

Jess glances at the clock on the dashboard. “Shoot. I’m sorry. You must have other things to deal with right now.”

“I don’t, Jess.” I give her hand another quick squeeze. “The only thing I care about doing right now is making sure you’re okay. Making sure you’re safe. So here’s what I’m going to do. I’m going to your house. I’m taking photos. I’ll loop Oliver, my partner, in on this. And tonight, once we’ve gone through everything, I’m bringing you to a hotel to stay. Tomorrow, we’ll make sure your security system is in order. Upgrade anything we need to. And Iamfollowing up on this. You’re not getting brushed aside again.”

She stares at me for a moment, her expression unreadable. Emotion works in her eyes.

As I wait for her response, I begin to second guess myself. Was I too pushy? Overbearing, like my mom accuses me of being whenever I go to visit her?

Maybe Iama little overbearing. But it’s just because I want to make sure the people I care about are safe.

“Okay.” Jess gives me a wobbly smile. “If you’re sure you don’t mind?”

“I don’t mind at all. I want to do this.”

And as I watch the relief spread across her face, I get that twinge in my chest again.

I could say this is strictly professional concern.

But deep down, I know I’d be lying.

CHAPTER 3

JESS

“So, are you coming to our game night next weekend?”

Nora takes a sip of coffee, regarding me over the rim of the mug as she waits for my response. When I don’t answer immediately, she sets the mug down and gives me a sympathetic smile. “If you don’t want to go, I understand. But I think you would enjoy it. Our game nights are a lot of fun.”

“I’m sure they are,” I reply. “But if it’s a team thing, I don’t want to intrude.”

“You won’t be. It’s just awhoever is around and wants to jointhing. Jackson will be there, of course. So will Leo and Georgia. I think Maya is asking Scarlett and Grant to come. So it’s not just the team.”

The team we’re discussing is the Blade and Arrow Security team, a group of seven Special Ops veterans who run a private security company here in Sleepy Hollow. Nora’s the lone female member of the team, and herhusband, Jackson, joined a couple of years ago, shortly after their wedding.