Page 214 of Second Sets Omnibus

“You look like you’re fucking terrified,” Carter remarks, eyeing me as he leans against the wall. He crosses his arms over his chest.

“You think, Sherlock?” I grumble, taking a sip of my coffee.

Ah, the sweet nectar of the Gods. It’ll perk me right out of this shitty funk. Soon, I’ll be ready to face my stalker head-on. Just give me thirty minutes and more coffee.

“I’ll forgive you for that. I was just stating the fucking obvious. You’re terrified to go home.”

“As I should be, right? That asshole listened to me…me…” I trail off, my cheeks heating.

“Oh, well, that ought to be fucking good. Want to enlighten me on what you were doing?” He grins wide with a mischievous glint sparking in his eyes.

“Fuck off. Nope. No way.” I’m definitely not telling him I was getting myself off as my former boyfriends watched and listened, begging to come inside.

“On a serious note, Little West. We’ve been working all night to secure your camera system. No one else can view it. We scoured the damn server looking for whoever was in there too and booted them. Unfortunately, we couldn’t track them to their location. Only the security company you hired. But we were able to make sure no one else but Veritas has access now.”

I swallow hard. Someone was using my cameras to look at me. Hear me. Fucking watched me. And my child. My poorfucking baby has had someone’s strange eyes set on her. My stomach drops. How could someone do that? Who even knows how? This is absolutely ridiculous. Our safety is my number one priority. I’m just so damn fed up with watching my back and over my shoulder. I want my safe space back.

“Thanks for looking out for us. Um… Is it safe to go back home?” Despite the intrusion, I want to sink into my bed and never get up. That place was built just for me and Ly. It’s my damn sanctuary. I won’t allow some desperate asshole to take over my life.

“You’re good to go home. Just know, I’ll be keeping an eye on you. So, keep your clothes on.” He raises a brow, smirking when I flip him off.

“You’re an asshole. I don’t know how my angel sister-in-law puts up with you,” I scoff, faking my anger as he laughs.

“She tamed me,” he whispers with affection, eyeing the space near the entrance of the kitchen where Kaycee walks around, kissing her children on the head and handing them their breakfast.

“Okay, well… I’ll be heading out then. Anything else I need to know?”

“Keep vigilant. Carry your damn knife… Or that gun Liv gave you a year ago for protection. You remember how to shoot it, don’t you?”

“Yes. She forces me to go to the range at least once a month. I’ll never forget how to shoot,” I grumble into my coffee, taking another long swig.

“I know you don’t like it. But knowing how to point, aim, and shoot will be useful if you’re ever in a situation with that deranged fuckhead. Got it?” His tone brokers no room for argument. Much like a damn dad’s voice.

“Yeah. Yeah. I’ll dig it out from my closet and?—”

“Load it, River. Load it the fuck up. Put the safety on and put it beside your fucking girly toys in your drawer. Have it available. If he was watching through the fucking cameras… What’s stopping him from jumping through your windows? Set your fucking alarm. Load your gun and protect yourself,” he growls, inching closer to me. A tic forms in his jaw as his eyes assess the fear on my face and paling skin. Blowing out a breath, he wipes a hand down his face. “I’m not trying to fucking scare you. I’m trying to make you understand. Right now, you’re safe. We’re doing everything in our power to prevent this from escalating. I have some agents surveying your property and watching for anything serious.”

“Okay,” I say, swallowing hard again. “Thanks, Carter.”

“You’re in safe hands, Little West. You just gotta take the fucking precautions yourself, too. That’s all.”

With that, I finish my coffee slowly, preparing myself for the inevitable. My skin crawls when Ly and I climb into my car. As I buckle her in, I kiss her cheek as she waves to all her cousins, watching us go.

“Are you ready to go home? Your Daddy Asher promised breakfast again.” My voice croaks at the word home, but I shake it off. Carter assured me we were safe. There are agents wandering around my property. And Asher is going to meet us there.

We’re in good damn hands. I just can’t shake this nagging feeling something is about to pop up and throw me off my axis.

Lyric grins. Everything about her lights the fuck up at the mention of them bringing her breakfast.

“Pancakes?” she whispers with big, pleading eyes. She had a few an hour ago, but my child is always down to eat.

I shrug, watching the light in her eyes sparkle brighter. My heart pounds. This is so damn new for us. Slick sweat coats my palms as I slide into the driver’s seat, giving one last wave to myfamily. All the shitty what-ifs bounce around my skull like an unpleasant smell. What if they leave again? What if they break her heart? Or yours?

No.

Scratch that last one. River’s barely mended heart is currently locked beneath thick steel and razor blades. It’s impenetrable. Maybe bulletproof. More importantly, Whispered Words proof. They can show up as dads. That’s it. Nothing less. Nothing more.

Keep telling yourself that.