Jaded (Jaded #1)(89)

“Because you’re drinking.”

He cried out, “I’m not drinking! I’m just looking like I am. The guy’s not stupid, whoever he is. He’s going to know something’s up when he comes and everyone’s surprisingly sober!”

“Logan is drunk.”

“So? Logan can drink. She’s not a part of this.”

“You want your girlfriend to be inebriated when some killer shows up, looking for an easy target?” I spat out. “That’s who I’d go for if I was him. She’s close to our circle and she’ll be vulnerable. And probably passed out by the time he gets here—where she’ll be alone because you’ll be hanging out with me, waiting for him to show up.”

Corrigan hissed and shook his head, “You’re a little too good at this game, Sheldon.”

“It’s not a game. It’s my life and it’s others’ lives. I’m tired of this guy pushing me around. I’m pushing back now.”

“… he’s trying to scare you and I’m thinking the more you scare, the more mad you are, and the more ruthless you’ll get. That’s what you need to survive this nightmare, Sheldon.”

I remembered Officer Sheila’s words and felt nothing.

“I’m ready for him,” I only said and left the room.

Tatum stopped me just as I walked out of the room and informed me as he glanced at Corrigan, “Yerling just showed up with his buddies. They’re outside. Chet and Holster won’t let them inside.”

“Where’s Bryce?”

Corrigan asked.

Tatum shrugged, “I don’t know. I thought he was down here with you guys.”

I found him upstairs in a back room, in my dad’s office.

“What are you doing in here?”

Bryce didn’t turn around, but opened some cupboards and exposed four video screens.

“What are those?”

“Video output. I wanted it installed because your last alarm system was useless.”

“Why? I mean…” Okay. I got why. I just didn’t…the why didn’t help keep the shivers away. Huskily, I murmured, “Bryce, I don’t like video cameras.”

“Don’t worry. There’s nothing that’ll break privacy or anything. I just had the guys install them on your doors, like—here’s the front doorway, there’s the back doorway, here’s the other door, and…” He studied the screen closer and asked, “Is that Yerling?”

I moved closer and peered at the screen to add, “And look—Mena’s come to join them.”

“If her brother shows up…” Bryce let the threat hang open.

“It wouldn’t be at my invitation. Trust me. Unless he’s the stalker, then he can come.”

Bryce grinned and asked, ruefully, “Did you just hear yourself?”

I shrugged.

Bryce chuckled and switched the screens for the last doorway. It was rarely used and it led into the garage from the street. In fact, I normally leaned tables against it from inside the garage, but I gasped as it came onto the screen. The door had been left open and I saw that no tables blocked it anymore.

“What?” Bryce looked at me.

“It’s never open. I…tables were there, the lawnmower’s in there—that door isn’t used because we can’t use it.”

“Would you have mowed the lawn today?”

It only took one incredulous look for Bryce to realize the moronic value of his question.

“Just saying…,” he finished haplessly, but he refocused. “I don’t get it. Anyone can walk in here through the front door, why use that door?”

“Like someone who doesn’t want to be seen here?” I suggested, rolling my eyes.

“So…oh hell,” Bryce swore. “The guy’s already inside…what now?”

“What if…the guy is coming for me, right? I mean….why don’t we stay put and have him come to us? We can monitor these screens then and sees who comes in and who goes outside.”

“Yeah, but…” Of course. There was always a but. “If Yerling starts something, I’m going to have to go down there. I don’t want to leave you alone.”

“Maybe he won’t.” And we didn’t live on Mars so I don’t even know why I uttered those words. I flushed and remarked, “Sorry, wishful thinking.”

“That’s okay,” Bryce soothed and ran a hand down my arm and around my waist.

He scooped me on his lap and sat on a chair.

Corrigan said disgustedly, “You guys are just rabbits.”

We’d left the door unlocked and I turned to see Logan, who stood rooted in the doorway, as Corrigan moved around us and studied the video screens intently. Logan shut the door behind her as I rested against Bryce and turned my head towards Corrigan.

“Not that I mind, normally,” Corrigan relented with a rakish grin. “But tonight is for other things.”

I asked, “What are you doing up here?”

“Crowd control,” Corrigan remarked and glanced our way. “Your place is overflowing now. What do you want to do?”

“The cops are going to get called pretty soon,” Logan piped up with a flush.