Page 102 of Wasted

Relief brought air to her lungs even as her pulse raced at the sight of him. He was all right. “Did you check in here?”

“Yep. First thing.” He slowed as he reached Sydney. “Wanted to make sure Max was okay.”

Victoria’s heart pinched. She met his sincere, protective gaze. “Thank you.”

“I didn’t see anything to suggest anybody went in there. And even though Max is afraid of everyone, an intruder would likely take one look at him and decide not to mess with any dog that huge.” The hint of a smile angled Cillian’s lips.

“I hope you’re right.” It would be much longer before Victoria would feel like smiling. Someone had compromised the safety of her home and endangered those she cared about. “Did you see evidence of the intruder anywhere else?”

“He got in through the rear. The window by your back door was broken.”

“He broke my window?”

“Yep. Ever think of getting a security system installed?”

“Do you know how expensive those are?”

He grinned. Probably thinking of how incongruous it was for a Weston to say such a thing. But she had stopped living on her father’s money when she’d moved out of his house years ago.

She sighed. “Perhaps I should look into it. But first,” she turned toward Sydney in the narrow hallway, “I need to find a different place for you to stay.”

“You’re kicking me out?” The girl’s eyes grew as large as when she’d seen the threat on the mirror.

“No, sweetie. I’m not kicking you out. But it isn’t safe for you to stay with me right now. I can’t bear to think of what could’ve happened to you if you’d been here alone when the intruder?—”

“I don’t think there’s danger of that.”

Victoria aimed an irritated gaze at Cillian. “How can you say that? He accessed my house to threaten me.”

“Not while anyone was here. Think about it. Glenn is doing everything so far when nobody can see him up close or ID him. I don’t think he would’ve broken into your home if anyone had been here.”

Cillian’s reasoning made sense. But Victoria wasn’t about to tell him that. His head was far too oversized as it was. “It would still be irresponsible to allow Sydney and her baby to stay here when I know my house isn’t safe. And when I’m apparently a target of someone with evil intentions. It’s far too dangerous.”

“But you can’t send me away!” The agony that twisted Sydney’s voice jumped Victoria’s attention to her. Tears ran down the girl’s cheeks.

“Sydney, I?—”

“You have to let me stay here. Please.” She grabbed Victoria’s hands, squeezing them hard. “I never told you this, but I’ve been having bad dreams. Nightmares, I guess. And what Kathleen says are panic attacks.”

Concern twisted Victoria’s stomach. “Sydney, I’m sorry. I had no idea.”

“I know, because I try to stay positive. But I’m not always so sure L—” Sydney clamped her mouth shut. Had she been about to say the name of her boyfriend? “I’m not always sure he’s going to come for me like he promised. And if he doesn’t, I could end up on the street, and…” Her terrified gaze aimed at Cillian, then swung back to Victoria as she gripped her hands even harder. “And child services would take my little girl away.” Sydney’s breathing grew shallow and quick as she continued. “And then I won’t?—”

“Okay, Sydney, please.” Victoria tried to interrupt her spiral with a gentle return squeeze on the girl’s hands. “I want you to slow down and take a few breaths for me, okay?” She locked her gaze on Sydney’s, infusing her voice with calm confidence. “None of that is going to happen. I will not let you be alone, and I and Kathleen will help you with your baby, okay?”

The teen nodded, her nostrils still flaring.

“Breathe, sweetie. One deep breath.” Victoria took in a long breath herself.

Sydney mimicked her.

“Good, one, two, three, and now exhale.” Victoria started exhaling first, and Sydney followed suit. “One, two, three.”

The girl’s death grip on Victoria’s hands loosened as she breathed.

“There. Isn’t that better?”

Sydney nodded, the size of her eyes decreasing to normal as her body relaxed. “This is what I was trying to say.”