Page 7

KELLY

T hings with Cam are, to put it lightly, amazing. Incredible. Just … wow.

I know I'm inexperienced when it comes to relationships, but being with him just feels right.

He's sweet, protective, and makes sure I'm always taken care of.

After we made love on his couch, he cleaned me up in the shower and tucked me into his bed, curling up around me and whispering comforting things until I fell asleep.

There was no awkwardness in the morning, either, just another home-cooked breakfast before he had to head off for work.

Over the past few weeks, we've settled into a sort of routine. Cam works three days a week, and on the days he doesn't, he comes over and helps me turn my fixer-upper into my dream home. Cam is like a one-man renovation team, painting and building and even installing new hardwood floors.

I can't believe how lucky I am .

But today is Friday, which means that I have a full day to myself.

Cam is working until 4 PM, so I've decided to spend the day doing some much-needed shopping.

I need a few things for the house and some new clothes.

I figure it'll be a good way to kill a few hours while Cam is fixing planes or whatever it is he does.

I make it downtown and park in one of the many open spaces. The weather is beautiful today, and as I grab my purse and get out of my car, I can't help but smile. Life is good, and there's a pep in my step as I walk towards my destination.

As I walk, I can't help but remember what Cam said about keeping an eye out for anyone following me or looking at me funny. I'm pretty sure that's just his protective nature coming through, though. We haven't seen any sign of a stalker since the incident with the door.

There isn't much as far as big superstores go in Covington, but I'm learning to love the smaller, quieter businesses.

I pick up a few cute matching workout sets for all the runs Cam has insisted I join him on—in no small part because of the secluded, wooded trails we've taken full, naughty advantage of—and add some lingerie on as a special surprise.

After that, I grab some things for dinner and enjoy the slow, sun-soaked afternoon as I stroll downtown on my way back to my car. Cam has proven to be the better cook out of the two of us, but I'm not far from catching up.

He's also proven to be possessive as hell, bordering on obsessive, but I sort of like it. Okay, I really like it, if I'm being honest with myself. Cam is quiet and well-respected in town, but if some man looks at me a little too long, a totally different part of him rises to the surface.

I like it. I like him, maybe even love him. I'm still trying to decide if it's just because this is all so new to me, but I don't think so. It feels way too real, too genuine for that .

I smile as I load the groceries into my car, waving at a few of the locals I've met through Cam and chit-chatting for a minute before heading home.

I've still got a lot of time before Cam gets home, but there is always a project that needs to be done in the old Colonial.

Right now, I'm working on sanding down and repainting the kitchen cabinet doors that Cam removed for me last week.

Once home, I grab my things and take them inside.

I stop dead in my tracks when I enter, using the back door that opens right into the kitchen.

Slowly setting my purchases down on the counter, I approach the beautiful bouquet.

It's at least two dozen red roses—not my favorite, a little too cliche—but surprise flowers of any variety are lovely.

Smiling, I snap a picture of them and text it to Cam.

Me: Thanks for the flowers 3

He doesn't text back but calls in less than a second. His voice is tight, and I can hear the wind blowing against the phone speaker as if he's outside rushing somewhere. "Kelly, I didn't send those flowers."

"Oh," I say slowly. "Then who did?"

"Kelly, listen to me. I want you to leave your house right now. Get back in your car and go somewhere busy. Stay where there are lots of people around you."

I go cold all over, and my hands feel so numb I can barely hold the phone. "O-okay. Cam?—"

"I'm calling the police as soon as I hang up, and I'm on my way. Just get out of the house."

"I'm leaving now," I whisper, tears burning my eyes.

"Good girl. I'll be there as fast as I can."

"Okay. "

My hands shake as I grab my keys, but a feeling of total dread washes over me all at once. I can feel eyes on the back of my neck, and I know in my bones that if I turn around, someone is going to be standing right there in the dining room looking at me.

"Oh, Kelly. What's the rush?" Frank says, his voice sickly sweet. "It's been so long. Why don't you take a seat, and we can catch up?"

I whirl around, my heart pounding. "Frank? How … how did you get in here?"

"That's not important. Come here and sit down with me, sweetheart." He gestures towards one of the dining room chairs, not with an empty hand, but with a small, silver pistol. My heart thunders in my chest at the sight.

No, no, no.

I shake my head, my entire body trembling. "No. No, Frank. I don't want you here. I don't want to see you. Please just leave."

He scowls, and for a brief moment, I'm terrified he's going to shoot me on the spot. "Sit down."

I glance down at the phone in my hand, still clutched tightly. Cam hung up, and I desperately want to call him back, but I have a feeling it would only end badly.

"What do you want?" I whisper.

"You," Frank says simply, his eyes traveling over me. "I've wanted you since the first time I laid eyes on you, Kelly."

I feel sick to my stomach.

"But we never had a chance. Now we do. You're soldier isn't here, and we have all the time in the world. SIT DOWN, Kelly."

The last two words are so harsh, so commanding, that I have no choice but to sit. My entire body trembles, and I feel like I might be sick .

"So beautiful," Frank says softly, staring at me. "And all mine."

I feel a sob build up in my throat. This can't be happening.

I think of all the beautiful moments Cam and I have shared, how spending time with him has made this new phase of my life the happiest ever, and I don't want it to end.

I don't want Frank to touch me, but I'm afraid that if I fight back, he'll shoot me.

The police will be here soon, I tell myself, the police AND Cam. You just have to stall!

"Frank," I say slowly, trying to keep my voice from shaking. "Frank, I need to use the restroom."

"No. You're not going anywhere. You're staying right here, with me."

"But Frank?—"

"I said no!" His voice is loud and angry, and when he takes a step towards me, I let out a little cry, jumping to my feet.

"Kelly!"

"Stay away from me," I whisper, my voice shaking.

"Don't make me hurt you, honey. I just want us to be together, like we should be."

His free hand shoots out to grab my wrist, and he pulls me forward against his chest. He smells awful, like he hasn't showered in days, and the feeling of his skin on mine is clammy. Time slows to a standstill as he tries to lower his face to mine, lips pursed.

What would Cam want me to do? I think. The answer is as clear as day. Cam would want me to fight.

And fight I do.

I slam my forehead against his, and he yelps, pushing me away.

I run for the door, but Frank is faster than me.

He grabs me by the hair, but I fight back like a scalded cat, kicking and screaming.

I scratch at his face hard enough to draw blood, and he finally releases me.

I can hear sirens in the distance, but I've still got at least a minute before they reach us.

Everything after that seems to happen all at once, but in slow motion at the same time. Frank raises the pistol with a shaking hand, the other hand clasping his bloodied face, but before he can even aim, the basement door flies open and Cam slams into him, hard.

"Go!" Cam yells, trying to wrestle the gun from Frank without setting it off. "Outside, Kelly! Go!"

I run as fast as I can, my pulse thundering. The police car screeches to a halt in the driveway, and two officers jump out, guns drawn. I put my hands in the air, sobbing, and one of them lowers his weapon to intercept me.

"It's okay, miss," the officer says. "You're safe."

"Cam is still inside!" I cry. "You have to help him!"

I know Frank is no match for Cam, but Frank is armed. I'm scared and shaking, and all I want is for my protector to wrap me up in his arms and hold me close.

The other officer runs towards the house, and when I hear the crack of a gunshot, I scream.

The police won't let me back into the house, and when a pair of ambulances roll up, my hysteria only grows. It turns out the ambulance is for me, not for Cam. They insist on checking my vitals and try to tell me I’m in shock, but I don't care about that right now.

"Cam!" I sob. "Where is he? Is he okay? "

"Miss, please calm down," one of the paramedics says. "They'll bring him out shortly."

Shortly feels like an eternity. I keep my eyes glued to the front door of my house, praying for Cam to walk out safely. Finally, it opens, and I see Cam step outside. He looks a little battered, and I can see a bruise already forming on his cheekbone, but otherwise he looks fine.

I sob again, this time with relief, and the paramedic, trying to calm me down, laughs. "Looks like he's fine, miss."

He approaches the ambulance slowly, a grim expression on his face, and my stomach clenches. The joy of seeing him alive and unharmed drains away when I realize he's in cuffs, two cops flanking him, and tears fill my eyes again.

"What happened?" I yell, hoping someone will answer me. Paramedics run into the house, and while Cam is being led to the police car, another figure is brought out on a stretcher. I suck in a breath when I see that it's Frank, unconscious and bloodied.