The Safe Bet (Hidden Truths #1)(55)

“You need to eat.” Michael was knocking on her door a few minutes later. “I have a sandwich for you.”

“I’m okay, but thank you,” she said when he entered.

He ignored her words, placing a food tray beside her. “Eat.” He folded his arms and stared down at her. Was he going to stand before her and watch while she ate? He had some nerve.

“Please.” He softened his stance a little, but he didn’t move. His eyes shifted to Kate’s legs, and he took a step back from the bed. “I’ll let you know when Jake and Connor are back,” he said after clearing his throat.

Kate watched him leave and was glad that he pulled the door shut behind him. She stared down at the sandwich and fought the childish urge to throw the plate at the door. Goddamn you, Michael Maddox.

She felt something pulling inside her, swelling to the surface.

Tears warmed her cheeks, and she wet her lips. Her emotions pushed through her mind like a tsunami engulfing the shore. She tried not to give in to the pain, but she was at her breaking point.





CHAPTER SEVENTEEN




IT WAS CLOSE TO NINE when Kate left her bedroom. She needed fresh air. She didn’t see any sign of Michael as she entered the living room and exited to the balcony.

She wasn’t sure how long she’d been standing there looking out at the city, but she could feel Michael’s presence before he spoke.

“I have an update.”

She tensed at the sound of his words and slowly turned to face him. “Yeah?”

He sat on one of the lounge chairs and gripped the arms. “Erick Jensen is out of town. And I spoke to your father. He corroborated Nathan’s story. He also mentioned knowing Erick, as well. But I feel like something is off with your dad. I don’t know.”

“You think he’s keeping something from you? Why would he do that?” She rubbed her arms, trying to push away a sudden chill.

“I’m not sure.”

She forced herself to take a seat on the chair next to Michael. She didn’t think her legs would support the weight of her body any longer.

“You cold? The temperature here drops a little at night.”

“No, I’m okay. The breeze feels good.” The coldness of her body and skin had nothing to do with the weather.

“You haven’t heard from your stalker since you came here. Maybe he or she got scared off.” He rubbed his temples and glanced at Kate.

“Regardless—”

“You still want to know who killed your mom.” He stood up and folded his arms.

She nodded, then tilted her head back, looking at the starlit sky. Did she believe in heaven? God? Was her mom up there somewhere, the woman that she’d never met?

She could feel the tears brimming to the edges of her eyes. Being in Charlotte was too painful—even if she hadn’t found herself in such a crazy situation, she should have known how coming to this city would affect her.

“Kate!” Michael shouted her name, his face scrunching as he suddenly charged her way.

Before she could even respond, he grabbed her by the forearms and yanked her forward out of the chair. He pressed her to the ground, covering her body with his.

She looked up at him, breathless, as he cupped the back of her head to keep it from hitting the ground. He braced himself over her like some sort of human shield—but why?

“I want you to crawl into the house—and stay behind me, okay?” he whispered.

“Wh—what? Why?”

“Just do it—now.” He shifted back off her as she went to her hands and knees and crawled toward the parted doors. Fear clutched hold of her heart, ringing it tight—but she forced herself to keep moving.

Once inside, Michael stood up and shut the doors, and then he commanded the blinds to close. “We’re okay in here.”

“What the hell was that all about?” she asked while wrapping her arms around her chest, her body trembling as Michael grabbed his phone off the table.

He didn’t answer her, instead, he made a call. “Jake, get over here now. It’s urgent.”

“Talk to me,” she demanded once he ended the call.

He came up in front of her and gripped her forearms, steadying his gaze on hers. “You had a sniper rifle trained on your chest.” He inhaled a sharp breath and stepped back, releasing his hold. “The glass is bulletproof. Don’t worry.”

“I—what?”

“Your stalker had you in his sights. A red dot sight. I know one when I see it.”

She could feel her body tighten, her skin crawl. She wanted to hide inside a shell, snap it closed, and bury herself at the bottom of the deep sea. The situation was hitting her in an all-too-real way. Her skin grew clammy, and her vision blurred.

The next thing she knew, Michael was rushing to her side and holding her upright. “You okay?”

“I think I should sit down.” He lifted her into his arms and carried her to the couch. “You could’ve been killed. You used your body as a damn shield, Michael,” she bit out, angry at him for risking his life for her—a woman he barely knew. Goddamn you.

“Are you crazy? Of course, I’m going to protect you, but—”

“No, I never meant for you to put your life on the line for me. Jesus, Michael, I should leave—” Michael’s fingers came over her lips, cutting her off.