Page 30 of Velvet and Valor

“No, but it doesn’t mean he won’t, either. It’s best not to take the chance.” I walk over to my kitchen pantry. “And speaking of not taking chances…”

“What are you doing? Don’t tell me you expect me to cook you dinner while you’re gone?”

“What?” I laugh. “No, not at all.”

I enter the pantry and open the long box at the very back of the uppermost shelf. A couple of undone snaps later, and I’m taking down a hunting rifle with walnut stock and cobalt blue steel.

“Holy shit,” she says. “You’re taking that with you?”

“No,” I say, patting my pocket. “I have protection. This, I’m leaving here. Do you know how to use it?”

I hand it to her, and she bites her lower lip in dismay.

“I’ve fired a gun like, once,” she says. “On the set of a movie, it was loaded with blanks. I hope I don’t have to use it,” she mutters.

“Most likely you will not,” I say. “But it’s a nice security blanket to have along just in case.”

She nods, looking worried.

“Lock up after I'm gone, and don’t let anyone inside.”

With that, I’m off, jogging down the driveway to the charger.

“Bottom drawer,” I mutter. “Bottom drawer. Shit…was it right or left?”

No time to worry about it now. There could be a killer outside, and I’ll be damned if they hurt June.

7

JUNE

“Yeah, I’m not waiting here.”

I rush out the front door and jog up the driveway after Axel. His face creases into a frown at my unexpected arrival.

“Is there something else you want me to get?” Axel asks.

“No, I’m coming with you.”

Axel sucks in air through his nostrils, his face studiously blank. Then he lets his breath out slowly, deflating slightly as he goes.

“Okay,” he says with particular and deliberate calm. “We don’t really have time to go into the grocery list of reasons that would be a very bad idea.”

I meet his gaze and nod.

“I know that there are a ton of reasons it’s a terrible idea. But I still want to come.”

Axel rubs the bridge of his nose and closes his eyes.

“It’s just not safe,” Axel says. “There’s a very, very good chance that Moorcrock and/or the triad people have figured out who you really are. Especially since you have a, um, let’s saystrong social media presence. They’re going to be watching your place.”

“Maybe, but I don’t want to say here.” I look back at his beach house. “All alone.”

Axel opens his mouth to argue, but nothing comes out. He studies me for a long moment, then nods.

“All right. But you need to stay in the car.”

“Okay,” I say, relieved I don’t have to be by myself. I would probably be fine. But my bubble of safety got completely shattered today. The idea of being alone and unprotected just doesn’t sit well with me.