by Tia Siren
“I don’t think so at all. You spent three years with a creep who got increasingly possessive and manipulative. It’s about damn time you found men who know how to treat you right,” she said.
“Would it be—”
My mind started spinning as the last course started going out to the guests at the wedding. I thought about what would happen if I ever had to choose, if there ever came a point when one of the twins would get jealous and threaten to leave if I didn’t choose. I knew I wouldn’t be able to. I cared about all of them in different ways. I enjoyed their presences for very different reasons, and at this point I couldn’t see myself not communicating with all of them somehow.
“You’re wondering if it would be possible to be with all of them, aren’t you?” she asked.
“They’re all so wonderful, Courtney. Is that selfish of me to even think about?” I asked.
“Yes. But why does being selfish have to be a bad thing?” she asked.
“I don’t know,” I said.
Just then, someone in the kitchen turned on the television. The chef and the cooks were bickering about which game to play, bouncing it between the Rams and the Dodgers games. I smiled as I looked up at the television, watching the Oakley brothers play. I saw Cole run down a man on the field and tackle him, knocking the football from his hands as I cheered. I watched Cameron hit a homerun, smacking the baseball clear across the field as I jumped for joy. They were rock stars on television as I rooted for their teams, and Courtney and I stayed in the kitchen to watch the games.
The guys would be in a good mood come Tuesday since both of their teams won.
“You are so fucking lucky. If one of these twins drops you, send them my way,” Courtney said.
“I can do that. I’m sure they’d devour you, too,” I said.
“Well, I need to get out of here. Got an early day tomorrow at work,” she said.
“Are you sure there’s nothing I can say to convince you to come back to the apartment?” I asked.
“Lexi, get the fuck out of there. It’s not safe. Until they find Jeremy, coop up with one of these twins. I know I’ve been on you about getting back to your strong and independent self again, but this is serious. I’ll come back when Jeremy’s fucking behind bars where he should be. Go stay with one of the twins. I’m serious, Lexi.”
“Don’t let him chase you off. That’s just what he wants. That’s what fuels men like him,” I said.
“Aw, Lexi, you are insane in all the very best ways, but don’t do anything stupid, all right?”
“I promise. Let me know when you get back safely,” I said.
“I’m not the one being stalked. You text me, too,” she said.
I helped the kitchen crew finish wiping things down before I headed to my car. I slipped in and locked my doors, taking precautions as I sat in the parking lot. It was well lit and near a busy road, but what Courtney had said had gotten my head spinning. She was right. Jeremy still hadn’t been caught, and there was no reason to think he wasn’t still out there trying to get to me. I felt my skin crawl as I checked all the mirrors. Then my phone rang in my purse.
“Hello?” I said, answering the phone.
“Well hello there, Lexi.”
I recognized the voice instantly.
“Hello, Tony Wolf,” I said, grinning. “How are you doing this evening?”
“I’m here, too. Hello, Miss Lexi. Wonderful to hear your voice,” Terry said.
“And hello to you, too, Terry Wolf. To what do I owe this surprise?” I asked.
“I’ll get right down to the point. Terry and I are coming back to LA tomorrow, and we were hoping we could take you out while in town,” Tony said.
“The both of you?” I asked.
“The both of us,” Terry said.
“Well, I’d love to. I’m busy Tuesday evening, but I’m wide open the rest of the week,” I said.
“Oh, you will be for us, love. What is taking up your wonderful Tuesday evening?” Tony asked.
“Cole and Cameron,” I said.
“The Oakleys! I told you they enjoyed Lexi, too,” Terry said.
“That sounds fantastic. Wonderful to hear it. So, this means you are free Friday evening then, yes?” Tony asked.
“Wait, you guys are all right with me going out with the Oakley brothers?” I asked.
“Of course. They’re good men. I’m sure they’d treat you well. You’re a beautiful woman in her mid-twenties. This is the time of your life. Have fun with it,” Tony said.
“Friday evening there is a Christmas ball, a formal occasion, and Tony and I would love to have you on our respective arms,” Terry said.
“Well, that means I’d have to go shopping. I don’t have anything formal like that,” I said.
“No need. I’ve already had a dress tailor-made for you,” Tony said.
“Wait. What?” I asked. “How do you even know my size?”
“One of Tony’s many talents,” Terry said.
“Do you have any talents, Terry?” I asked.
“He’s a fine dancer. You’ll find that out on Friday,” Tony said.
“Well, I haven’t said yes yet.”
“The tone of your voice tells me everything I need to know,” Tony said.
“Cocky and suave. I can get behind that,” I said.
“That’s Tony’s job, too,” Terry said.
“Oh, you’re naughty. I very much enjoy that,” I said.
“Well, we will enjoy your company Friday evening. The dress will be delivered to you Wednesday morning. Try it on and let us know if anything is out of place. But trust me, it won’t be,” Tony said.
“I will let you both know how it fits,” I said. “I’m looking forward to it.”
“Keep yourself safe for us until we can get to you, all right?” Terry asked.
I could hear a slight twinge of worry in his voice, and it caused me to look in my mirrors again. I checked both the side mirrors before I looked in my rearview, and the sight I saw sent shivers down my spine.
Over at the corner of the hotel looked to be a figure, a hooded figure with its hands in its pockets. At first I thought I was seeing things—until the figure moved. The person slowly backed into the dark alleyway, covering itself with the LA night sky.
I thought I was going to vomit.
“I will,” I said as I cranked up my car. “I promise.”
“Wonderful, darling. We’ll keep in touch,” Tony said.
Chapter 19
I pulled up to my apartment complex and looked up at my door. It was hanging wide open, and I felt that same shiver of fear run through my legs. Every single hair on my body stood on end as I slowly got out of my car. I popped my trunk to grab the crowbar I kept there. Slowly, I made my way up the steps, my ears listening for any sound indicating danger.
But I knew he wasn’t here.
I was certain that Jeremy had been the one staring at me in the hotel parking lot.
Walking into my apartment, I looked at the mess that had been created. As I stood in my kitchen, tears streamed down my face. My couch was overturned and the stuffing had been ripped out. My coffee table was broken and was sticking out of the wall. All the glassware in my kitchen crunched underneath my feet. The contents of my fridge had been dumped onto the floor.
“Holy shit,” I said as tears continued to flood my face, dripping onto my clothes.
I slowly walked down the hallway as I dug my phone out of my pocket. I hit the redial button and heard Logan answer the phone, but the moment I turned and walked into my room, all I could do was sob.
“Lexi? Lexi, where are you?” Logan asked.
“Is that Lexi?” Liam asked. “Put her on speaker.”
The mattress had been overturned and shredded with a knife. My mirror was broken and my makeup was tossed onto the floor. Blushes and lipsticks and mascara littered the carpet, painting it every color I had ever possessed. Sobs wracked my body. I could hear the brothers talking, but I had no i
dea what they were saying. The only thing I could do was look around the room.
And then my eyes finally settled on the wall.
I screamed. I screamed as I read the statement over and over again. I heard bustling on the other end of the line before the phone fell from my fingertips and my hand clasped over my mouth. There, on the wall—written in my pink lipstick—were the words, “Can they keep you safe now?”
I picked up the phone with my shaking hands and took a picture of it. I sent it to all the twins, knowing I had to cut things off with them. This couldn’t go on any longer. They were in clear and present danger. I cared about all of them too much to do this to them any longer.
I had to get out of town. I had to leave until the police could find Jeremy.
Stumbling back into the wall, I pressed send on my phone. I listened as the photo whizzed off to everyone, and then the phone fell from my hands again. Tears lurched down my neck as I slid to the floor, curling up into a ball and holding my knees tightly.
Holy fuck, what in the world was I going to do?
Suddenly, I heard familiar voices call out into my apartment. I buried myself deeper into the wall, wanting nothing more than to fade into the background and disappear. I heard the two men barrel through my apartment, calling my name as they turned into my room.
The note scrawled on my wall silenced even the firefighters before someone scooped me into his arms.
“Come here. I’ve got you,” Logan said.
He carried me out of my room and opened the door to the bathroom. The mirror in the bathroom was shattered, but the toilet seemed to be fine. Liam shut the toilet lid and Logan sat me down on it as I heard more men enter my apartment. Liam left to greet them as Logan tried to dry my tears.
“It’s okay. We’re here. You’re safe, and that’s all that matters.”
“The—th-the, the n-note. It—y-you guys, you aren’t s-sa—”
“Sssshhh. You’re in shock, Lexi. Breathe with me, nice and slowly.”
I turned my gaze as a pair of tall, handsome redheads appeared in the doorway. The Jameson brothers looked over at me, their eyes filled with concern as the blood drained from their faces. They knew they weren’t safe with me, but I didn’t understand why they weren’t leaving.
“You guys all have to get out of here,” I said. “You’re n-n-not s-safe. N-not safe.”
“She’s in shock,” Kyle said as he slipped behind Logan. “Let me.”
He put his fingertips on my wrist and took my raging pulse. Kevin slipped in as Logan slipped out, and I heard more voices enter my apartment. Kevin put a cool, wet washcloth on the back of my neck while Kyle tried to get me to take deep breaths, but I couldn’t focus.
The only thing I could focus on was the glass underneath my feet.
“Th-the p-p-police. We have t-t-to call. My phone—”
“How is she?” Cole asked as he popped his head in.
“In shock. If we can’t get her to calm down, she’s gonna need a hospital,” Kyle said.
“I can call the police,” Cameron said. “Give me a second.”
“Phone. My phone. Th-the number. It’s uh, uh—um, it’s Row-Row-Row—”
“Officer Rowland?”
I slowly turned my gaze toward the tall, dark, handsome man standing in the hallway. His bespoke suit boasted of wealth and prestige, and his long, dexterous fingertips scrolled through the contacts on my phone His dark brown eyes were set deep into his face, and I recognized his light accent immediately.
Even the Wolf brothers had come.
“Yes. Yes, yes, yes. H-h-him. Him. Him. Him.”
“Sssshhh. Sh, sh, sh. Look at me and try to breathe with me, Lexi,” Kyle said.
I took deep breaths with him as Tony got on the phone with the police officer. He walked down the hallway as the Jameson and Oakley brothers stood watching me. I felt weak, helpless, like a small child curled up, traumatized from their worst nightmare. I couldn’t stay here. Not anymore. My home wasn’t safe. This wasn’t safe.
None of us were safe.
I slowly caught my breath as police sirens came squealing down the road. I heard them skid into the parking lot before footsteps thundered up the steps. I heard Officer Rowland’s drawl in my apartment as people flooded through the door. The snapping of pictures could be heard as my eyes slowly fluttered shut.
“I know you’re tired, but you have to stay awake, all right?” Kevin said. “Your heart rate still isn’t settled.”
“Miss Marx?” Officer Rowland asked. “You okay to answer some questions?”
“Not right now,” Kyle said. “She’s still a bit—”
I held up my hand to him, and he gave me a curious look. I struggled to my feet, and he helped me, his hand sliding around my waist as Kevin grasped my arm. I could hear the Wolf brothers talking to the Oakleys while the Castle brothers talked to the other police officers. I knew they were probably looking for evidence, something that could point them in Jeremy’s direction.
The Jameson brothers helped me out of the bathroom, but I still couldn’t walk past my room. I stayed at the end of the hallway with Officer Rowland as Kyle and Kevin stood on either side of me, but I didn’t let him ask any questions before I told him about what I had seen, about the figure in the parking lot.
“Officer Rowland, he was watching me after work,” I said.
“What?” Kevin asked.
“How do you know it was him?” he asked.
“He was staring directly at me as I sat in my car. I was on the phone with someone before I got on the road, and I saw him in my rearview mirror. Coupled with my apartment the way it is, I know it was Jeremy.”
“Where did you see him?” Rowland asked.
“At the corner of the resort. He backed himself into the dark alley and disappeared from sight. Then I got home and saw all this.”
My body began to tremble again, and the Jameson brothers wrapped me in their warmth. My jaw quivered, threatening to spill tears down my reddened cheeks again. For the first time in my life, I was truly frightened for my safety, and I just didn’t know what to do.
“Rowland, we got something.”
“What?” I asked.
“Some of the glass that’s shattered in here has fingerprints on it, darling,” Tony said.
“Yes, love. They’ll be able to run it at their lab. Probability and statistics state that the fingerprints belong to Jeremy. The size of the print coupled with the description of him the officers could piece together for us denote that it’s probably him,” Terry said.
“I got something else in her room, Rowland,” another officer said.
“Yep. The tube of pink lipstick has fingerprints on it, too,” Cameron called out.
“And he must’ve actually stomped on some of your makeup, because there’s a massive boot print near your closet,” Cole said.
“That shit will probably match Jeremy, too,” Logan called out. “Anything on your end, Liam?”
“Nope. The living room is clean save for some broken furniture. But there’s a board that’s been ripped up.”
I grew still as my mind came back together. Jeremy had been in this apartment so many times, and he knew about Courtney’s weird paranoia with banks. I wrenched away from the Jameson brothers and ran down the hallway. I dodged officers and crunched through glass as they called out behind me, their footsteps close as I hopped over the broken furniture.
I skidded across the hardwood floor on my knees and looked at the board Liam was talking about.
“No, no, no, no,” I whispered to myself.
I reached my hand down in there and felt for the metal box. Courtney kept all her extra money there, money from odd jobs she took and extra tips she didn’t need to pay for bills and the essentials. I’d been begging her for months to invest it somewhere, telling her that the banks weren’t going to collapse like her paranoid mother kept ranting and raving about.
But the box was nowhere to be found.
“Wha
t’s supposed to be in there?” Liam asked.
“Officer Rowland!?” I called out.
Someone came over and quickly started taking pictures. The box had been there for so long that there was an imprint of its dimensions on the foundation beneath it. There were only three people on this entire planet who knew where that box was: myself, Courtney, and Jeremy.
And Jeremy knowing about it was simply an accident.
“What was in there?” Rowland asked.
“A lock box containing somewhere between two and three thousand dollars,” I said. “It was my roommate’s.”
“Any chance she has it?” Rowland asked.
“I can call, but I doubt it,” I said.
“I’ll give her a call, darling,” Tony said. “What’s her name?”
“Courtney,” I said.
Tony walked off with my phone to make the call as I sat back on my bottom. I felt the Jameson and Castle brothers sit down around me as the officer finished taking pictures of the broken floor. I sighed as I put my face in my knees. I couldn’t stay here anymore. I’d never be able to come back to this apartment no matter how strong I wanted to be.
“I can’t stay here anymore,” I said in a whisper.
“Then come stay with us. You know you’re welcome,” Kyle said.
“Or you can come stay with us. We’d be more than happy to have you,” Liam said.
“We could stagger our days at the firehouse,” Logan said.
“Or we could have our staff take over our workloads so one of us could be with you,” Kevin said.
“You could travel the world with us for a little while,” Tony said, “stay in the hotel suite we have booked.”
“Or you could always take us up on that protective detail we keep offering,” Terry said.
“You could come stay with us,” the Oakley brothers said in unison.
“Our coaches wouldn’t mind if we filled them in on what’s going on,” Cole said.
“Yep. We live in two separate houses, but you’re welcome at either one. And the guys could drop in on you at any time,” Cameron said.
I was absolutely overwhelmed. The owner of the complex had now come into the apartment and was surveying the damage and asking for my insurance information. I couldn’t even stand to go into my room, much less choose who the hell I was going to go stay with.