When she lets out a tiny moan, it spurs me on. Lifting her up with the intention to carry her down the hall to her bedroom, her legs immediately wrap around my waist.
Just as I take one step in the direction of the hallway, a loud crash and shattering of glass sounds, and I immediately bring us down behind the small kitchen island. Maintaining my hold on Noelle, I listen for signs of entry into the house, but hear nothing. Reaching into my pocket, I call Ty who picks up far quicker than I expect, thank God.
“Fos?”
“Sounded like something large came crashing through one of the front windows of Noelle’s place just now. We’ve only been home a short time.”
“No entry?”
“Not as of right now.”
“Sit tight. It’s been another slow night so I can head over in a minute.” There’s a pause. “You carrying?”
Letting out a sigh, I answer him, pissed at myself. “Not currently.”
“All right. Thomasino’s coming with me. I might have some boards we could use to temporarily secure the window. I’ll bring those with us. See you shortly.”
Once I end the call, I concentrate on the fact that I have a woman in my arms who is trembling in fear and far too quiet.
“Ty and his buddy are on the way.” I run a soothing hand over her back, noting the rigidness of her spine, which is likely due to the combination of the fear and adrenaline that rush through the body in a situation like this. “Shh. I’ve got you. You’re safe,” I speak quietly, pressing my lips to the top of her hair, relishing in the silkiness of it.
I’ve determined no one has entered the house, but I’m not sure I can untangle myself from her death grip to go and inspect anything. It had sounded as if one of the windows in the small spare bedroom facing the front of the house had been damaged. Knowing Ty and his buddy are on their way over in official capacity, I’ll hunker down and try to offer her some comfort.
Continuing to run my hand over her back as I hold her, shifting into a more comfortable position with her on my lap, I’m hit with two startling realizations.
I’ve begun to get attached to the spitfire of a woman in my arms—far more attached than I’ve ever permitted myself to get—and there isn’t anything I wouldn’t do to keep her safe. But I also can’t help but feel like fate somehow intervened on Noelle’s behalf tonight, throwing up a road block as if to say, Hey, Kavanaugh? Did you forget that you’re no good for her?
Doesn’t mean I don’t want to tell fate to fuck off, though.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Noelle
“That was one hell of a brick.”
“Forget the brick. That was one hell of a note strapped to the brick. Guy’s a real charmer saying shit like, This is just the beginning! before breaking a woman’s window.”
“You about finished with that window, Fos?”
I’m still sitting on the kitchen floor, my back against the island, knees pulled to my chest with my arms wrapped tightly around them, dazed and not really registering the conversation going on in the other room a few feet away from me. I hear some hammering and some crinkling of plastic and know they’re likely boarding up the now missing window and securing it with thick, tarp-like plastic in case it rains because, well, Florida.
As pathetic as it is, my mind is racing with a million and one thoughts and the bulk of them are selfish.
I have my college degree in business and accounting. How does this happen to someone like me?
I’m not a complete dumbass, so how did I ever get taken in by someone like Brad?
This is the second time Foster has been saddled with my crap.
Oh, shit. What if I lose my job over this? I mean, I can’t really blame the guy but—shit, shit, shit!
What normal, educated woman has to deal with this kind of thing on a Saturday night? Or ever?
How did this happen to me? How did I let it happen to me?
“Noelle?” My entire body jerks as I’m startled, drawn from my inner thoughts and self-recriminations. Looking up at Ty, he gives me a patient and kind smile. “I wanted to see if there was anything you needed to add to the report before we leave.”
Shaking my head, I mutter, “No, sir.”
He squats down. “Hey. You didn’t do anything to deserve this.” He waits, and I finally give a short nod. “I suggested to Fos that you not stay here tonight, just to play it safe.” Raising up a hand with a stern look to stop my protests, he adds, “I can walk you into your bedroom while you pack some things, if you like.”
I hate this. I hate being in this position—having to constantly rely on others like this. Because, to me, it means Brad’s winning. That he’s managed to scare me out of my own home.
As if knowing where my thoughts have led me, Ty starts in, “Now, don’t think—”
“Davis.” I turn to see Foster who’s just joined us. “I would stay here with you tonight except I’m not carrying my sidearm, and I would rather have it if I were staying here with you. If you want to stay here tomorrow night, that’s fine. I’ll bring it with me.”