Page 26 of Killer Notes

I take one more look at the lake before making my way to the front of the house. I enter through the single door and find the inside to be rustic and simple. The living and kitchen area is one big open space, with a three-panel slider that brings you out to the deck I was standing on not a minute ago. One bathroom, which I’m not happy with but I can deal, and two bedrooms.

It may not have the comforts most people are used to, but I’m elated with the simplicity of the home. I may be here for a serious reason, but I think I’m going to enjoy my time in this place.

CHAPTEREIGHT

Tobias

I don’t sleep. I can’t. A prickly sensation that someone is watching us crawls around my brain and roots itself deep. But that’s ludicrous. Right? No one knows where we are. I made sure of that yesterday.

We are off the grid. Meaning, nobody knows where we are. Not even my partner John knows the location of Pops’ place. Granted, the place isn’t truly off grid. We have electricity and the water comes from an underground spring. But with nature surrounding us, it feels like we’re deep in the woods.

After Pops died, I hired a local that knew my grandfather to take care of the house. I trust Jimmy with this place and to keep silent with our whereabouts.

As I glance out of the glass slider, I can’t let the uneasiness go. With Saint sleeping with Danny, I pace the inside of the house like a guard dog.

Still feeling on edge, I walk the perimeter of the house again and scan the lake for anything off. Hell, I even run to the end of the long gravel driveway that’s obscured from the main road by overgrown brush and trees.

The entire night, my eyes darted to every little movement outside, while my ears were tuned to every sound in and out of the house. I finally glance at the clock and it’s almost six a.m. when I collapse on the sofa, exhausted.

I still can’t sleep, so I lean back against the cushions and stare out through the slider to watch the sun creep over the horizon of pine trees.

One second, I’m watching a heron take flight in the early dawn mist and then the next thing I know, I’m being shaken awake by Danny, while my dog idly stares at me with his head tilted.

Jutting up from the couch, I eye Danny through blurry eyes. “What’s wrong?”

“Did you sleep out here all night?” Danny frowns down at me. “You won’t do anyone any good if—”

“I know. I know,” I groan, swiping at my tired eyes. “You don’t have to tell me. And no, I didn’t sleep out here all night.” It’s not a total lie, but Danny doesn’t need to know that.

Saint whines, letting me know he wants out.

“Yeah, right,” Danny scoffs, rolling his eyes. “I’m going to make some coffee. Want some?”

“Yeah. But first, I’m going to do a quick perimeter check with Saint.” I get up, stretch, and stride toward the front door, with my dog next to me bouncing with exuberance.

I chance a glance over my shoulder and catch sight of Danny’s ass in those black yoga pants, rounding the island.

Fuck.

But isn’t that exactly what you want to do to him?

I immediately shut down that thought, leave the house, and focus on what I’m supposed to be doing. “Check the perimeter,” I mumble to myself before going into a run.

Why now? Why this guy? It’s been over a year since Carl, and I’m far from needing a fuck, when I have my hand and the trusty fleshlight in my bag.

Hell, I can hardly stand to be around the singer… Okay, that might also be a lie. However, I know Danny doesn’t like me for some reason, which I’m okay with since we’re not here to socialize or fuck around.

I’m normally on my game. Nevertheless, with the singer here, a mixture of confusion and growing attraction is colliding with my unwavering duty to protect him. I won’t cross that line. Especially when the client’s life is at risk.

Ignoring him might be the only thing that will save me from a constant hard on. But every time I look at Danny, my pulse jumps, and every lustful thought batters against the ethics I hold onto. No matter how much I want to touch, taste, and fuck that man, I have to keep the singer at a safe distance. And if I repeat that a thousand times, my dick might catch on.

Grinding my teeth, I take a necessary acre tour around the house and the lake, to fully reacquaint myself with the land since I wasn’t able to last night.

I haven’t stepped foot onto this property in over four years. With the job, and Carl’s“I don’t do nature”bullshit, I regret not putting more effort into seeing my Pops or visiting this place before he died.

The most memorable moments of my life happened here, with my grandfather. I’m glad I never brought Carl to meet Pops. My ex would have ruined those memories for me.

“Sorry, Pops,” I quietly apologize, staring up at the clouds.