Hidden Impact (Safeguard #1)(5)

The laugh he hoped for wasn’t forthcoming, but she did glance back with a soft smile on her face. Ah well, he wasn’t much of a comedian anyway. Actually, he was shit for small talk.

He wondered if she’d realized she’d clung to him on the ride there in the ambulance or if she’d tucked herself against him instinctively as she came down from the shock. The woman wouldn’t have gone at all if he and Marc hadn’t backed up the paramedics with the recommendation to be checked over.

He hadn’t minded her soft little form pressed against his side, though. It’d been reassuring. She’d come pretty close to turning into road pizza and he was shouldering some guilt over not agreeing to listen to her in the first place.

His stomach churned as he considered it, another reason why he’d come home with her. A hunch. Anyone who’d known to wait for her on the street after the event would probably know other things about her too, like where she lived.

“A mild concussion is a small price to pay since things would’ve been a lot worse if you hadn’t gotten me out of the way.” Maylin jiggled her key in the deadbolt before succeeding in turning it, then struggled similarly with the doorknob.

Deadbolt and lock on the doorknob. Good. Too many people were complacent in upscale apartment buildings like this one. Considering the location and the security, actual issues inside the building were most likely unusual, but the parking garage probably had its share of incidents. No live security and not enough camera coverage.

“Might want to talk to the concierge down in the lobby about those locks. Maybe you need a new key made up.” She was more aware of her surroundings than most civilians he’d met, but a person could never be too careful.

“Key usually works fine. I’ve never had to fudge with it before. Not even a little.” Fine lines had formed between her brows when she turned to look at him and weariness showed in the smudges under her eyes. His mood darkened at the sight of them and a protective surge washed over him. She should get some rest, but he was about to make her night even longer.

“Let me go in first.” He set the box down in the hallway and took his sidearm from its holster.

She opened her mouth to protest, but fell silent under his glare. Good. They could argue about it after he made sure there was nothing to worry about.

As he entered the apartment, he visually confirmed the main living area was clear. The place was neat. Pillows artfully arranged on a modern-style couch and throw blankets neatly piled within reach. Several. Unless she liked to build forts in her spare time, he couldn’t imagine why she’d need so many.

Nothing looked disturbed. Maylin seemed to be in the habit of leaving at least one light on while she was away. He’d confirm with her later. Either way, it gave him enough to see by.

Stepping away from the entry wall in measured steps, he paused between each to scan the area inside the apartment from floor to ceiling before proceeding further around the corner in a wide arc. The technique was referred to as “pieing the corner” and it was a strongly ingrained survival habit to negotiate turning any corner. It gave him the best chance to spot a threat and take action accordingly. In this case though, he found nothing. But that didn’t mean there wasn’t anything to worry about. There was something off about this place.

The entire apartment was dead silent. Either it was empty or her intruder was very good at hiding.

As soon as he had a clear line of sight down the hallway he advanced past the breakfast area and kitchen, careful to check reflections in the glass to give him added visuals behind the counter.

Finally, he cleared the bedroom. Again, the room was tidy, with no obvious sign of search or invasion. She seemed to like a whole hell of a lot of pillows on her bed too. He wasn’t sure there was even room for her to sleep on there.

An image of her burrowed in her pillows, curled up and sleeping, popped into his mind.

Banishing it immediately, he knocked a few to the floor to be sure there weren’t any unpleasant surprises hidden among them. Not the time to be distracted.

Nothing seemed to be out of place, so he lowered his weapon and returned to where Maylin waited for him at the door, her phone in hand. Smart girl.

He lifted his finger to his lips and motioned for her to come inside. He retrieved her box of cooking supplies too and set it on the counter in the kitchen before conducting a second sweep. This time he checked every appliance, every light fixture.

Well, damn.

He could take her out into the hallway but he didn’t want to remain exposed for longer than necessary. Once they left the apartment—and he intended to be sure she left with him—he’d want to be on the move immediately.

She was still standing in her entryway, pale and swaying on her feet. He stepped close to her, wrapped his arms around her. Her shoulders and back remained stiff in his embrace for a minute before she relaxed a fraction. He lowered his head to whisper into her ear. “Your apartment’s been bugged. Do you have any family in the city?”

She shook her head, her face brushing into the hollow at his shoulder. A sense of purpose solidified. Protect. Defend. It’d started when he’d recognized the threat earlier and dove to get her out of harm’s way. It’d only intensified since.

He wasn’t about to leave her here.

He kept his voice low, his lips brushing her hair as he gave her his next set of instructions. “We’re going to go into your bedroom. I want you to pack a bag with what you need for a couple of days.”