Page 24 of Lock

I take a step forward at his words. “Then why are you shaking?” I chuckle, tilting my head. Looking at him from head to toe, I let my true self show.

Stepping back, I keep my eyes on him. Having Shelby again might not be the only thing that can’t wait. Cooper might have to be dealt with too.

Once there’s sufficient distance between us, I turn sharply and approach the car with hurried steps.

Shelby and Riley are both in the car, and I feel a little calmer.

They’re safe.

Joining them, I lock the doors before starting the car.

“I’m sorry about that,” I say, looking first at Shelby and then back at Riley.

My little girl looks up from her dolly, Penny, completely oblivious.

Pulling out of the parking lot, I apologize to Shelby again.

“I’m sorry. It won’t happen again.”

The petite brunette beside me waves off my words. “Don’t worry about it. He’s mad. Like, you should book him for a seventy-two-hour hold kind of mad. He’s been making weird accusations against Kaleb and his brothers for years. As if there could be three serial killers in Cromwell Town and no one would know.” She laughs, rolling her eyes.

I let the action slide because she’s right. That is absurd . . . there’s four.

Matching her smile, I nod.

“He thinks I . . .” My eyes flit to the rear-view mirror to check Riley is preoccupied before mouthing, “Killed,” then say, “my ex-wife.”

Shelby rears back as if I slapped her.

“He’s obsessed with catching a killer.”

“Seems he’s in the wrong town because he won’t find one here.”

My cock stirs when her hand lands on my thigh.

“Are you okay?”

Squeezing her hand, I look from the road to her and back. “I’m perfect.”

“That you are,” she mutters.

The rest of the drive is done in silence. Shelby doesn’t speak up when I take the long way around, adding an extra five minutes onto our journey home. Maybe she thinks I’m worried about Cooper, but the truth is, I’m just not ready to say good night.

Pulling into my drive, I’m filled with disappointment.

“Thank you for dinner,” Shelby whispers, climbing from the car.

“It’s the least I could do. Thank you for taking care of her.”

“Anytime,” she offers. “Good night, muffin.” She waves to Riley through the window.

I frown, watching her walk away. After tonight, nothing will ever be the same. Shelby is mine and has been since I crawled into her bed four years ago.

It’s about time she and everyone else knew it.

CHAPTER TWELVE

Shelby