“What?” he asks when it’s obvious that the mood in the room has shifted.
“Nothing. Let’s talk about plan of action.” Beck is quick to change the subject, and I notice Chelcie visibly relax.
“Right now, we keep doing this. The girls stay here and so do you. Axel knows what’s going on, and we all agree that their best protection is either here or at the office. When you need to leave, Coop or I will come stick around. I know you have a few security installs coming up this week. If you would have taught us how to install those bastards, then we could have taken those, but it’s those high end, fancy motherfuckers. My guess is this unsub will make himself known when the ten days are closer to an end. Until then, we wait and try to find Adam.”
“What the hell is an unsub?” I ask the room when Maddox stops talking.
Coop stops looking around the kitchen before giving me his attention. “Unknown subject, Babe. You have any Cheetos here?”
“Jesus, Coop! Could you at least pretend to pay attention?” Beck barks, causing me to jump.
I can tell Beck is frustrated, knowing there isn’t anything we can do at the moment.
“Got it,” I say meekly. “So we sit and wait.”
This doesn’t do anything to help reassure me. Regardless of how safe I feel with Beck, and his ability to protect Chelcie and me, not having answers is downright terrifying.
“Don’t worry. We’re going to catch this jackass no matter what.” Beck’s words don’t help.
‘No matter what’ is the part that causes me the most concern. The thought of the happiness we’ve just now gotten back vanishing to some unknown threat, and not knowing how to prevent it causes my heart to hurt.
“Stop, Dee. Just trust me to do whatever it takes to keep you and Chelcie safe.”
I nod my head at Beck’s words and try to keep my breathing even, but inside, my gut is telling me that there is no way possible for this to end well.
“How are you taking all of this?” I ask Dee later that night while we lay in bed.
She lifts her head off my chest and rests her chin against her hand. She just looks at me for a few beats, not giving anything away, before she says anything.
“I’m scared. I know you don’t want to hear that, but no matter how safe I feel in your arms, I can’t help it. There is someone out there that wants to hurt me, wants to hurt Chelcie, and who knows who else. Beck, he could be anyone off the street. What if it’s someone I pass every day and I have no clue?”
“I get it, I do. But, you have to believe and trust that we will keep you both safe. I won’t let this asshole take you from me, Dee. I finally have you back in my arms, and I’ll be goddamned if anyone threatens what we have.”
Her eyes close briefly and she takes a deep breath. I just continue to rub my hands lightly against her back. I would give anything to take this fear from her, but I can’t. Isn’t that the kicker? I would do anything for this woman, and I am completely powerless in this situation.
“I do, I promise. I know you and the guys will do everything in your power to keep anything bad from happening, but that doesn’t change the fact that the threat is here, and we have no idea how to stop it.”
I can hear the desperation in her tone. I shift our bodies so that we’re laying on our sides facing each other.
“Listen to me; you’ve come so far, Dee. Not just with your personal demons, but Baby, you’ve finally let it all go. The pain, the fear, all of it is gone and you better believe that I will fight an army if it means I keep this look of peace in your eyes. You hear me? I refuse to ever let you feel powerless or afraid. As long as I’m here, you will never, ever, feel that darkness touch you again.” I wipe the few tears that have fallen from her eyes and kiss her lightly. “Forever, Baby. You and me forever.”
“Forever,” she echoes with a wobbly smile.
She burrows as close as she can get, wraps her arms around my body, and tangles her feet with mine. Not once throughout the night does her hold let up. My girl knows exactly where she’s meant to be, and exactly who will move heaven and fucking earth to make sure that not one hair on her head is harmed.
****