Total pages in book: 115
Estimated words: 109695 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 548(@200wpm)___ 439(@250wpm)___ 366(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 109695 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 548(@200wpm)___ 439(@250wpm)___ 366(@300wpm)
“It’s okay. Maybe one of your neighbors has one.”
“I don’t understand,” Mom said. “They were waiting for you to cross? But then they sped up? Were they trying to hit you? Are you sure that’s what happened?” Her voice got louder and more hysterical as she spoke.
“Yes!” Felicity said. “I saw the whole thing. Someone just tried to kill her! If not for Nate, she’d be dead.”
“We don’t know that for sure.” I shook my head. A shiver ran down my spine, and I couldn’t seem to stop shaking.
“Let’s go inside.” Stone held me close. “We’re all a little shaken up, and it’s going to be a while before the police show up.”
I sank against him, grateful he was taking charge. As we filed into the house, Will finished his phone call to the police. “They said it would be about half an hour before anyone could get here.”
Stone took me to the couch and pulled me down beside him while my mom left to get us some water to drink. Emma had kept the kids in the back yard, away from all the excitement.
Felicity sat beside me, and I turned to her. “Don’t let the kids know what happened, okay? When the police get here, let’s meet them outside. I don’t want to ruin Gracie’s birthday.”
Her eyes held worry, but she pressed her lips together and nodded. “That’s a good idea.”
We hardly spoke before the police arrived, all of us in a state of shock. Stone and I hurried out to meet them, along with Felicity and my parents. It didn’t take long to tell them everything we knew. The fact that no one saw a license plate, or the make and model of the car, didn’t give them much to go on.
One of the officers pulled me aside. “I don’t want to upset your family, but do you know why someone would want to kill you?”
I swallowed. “No. I have no idea.”
“No husband, boyfriend, co-worker, or ex-lover?”
“My husband and I are going through a divorce, but I can’t believe he’d want me dead.”
The officer’s brows drew together, and she glanced at Stone. “Is that him?”
“No… that’s… he’s a friend.”
“Okay. So what’s the name of your ex?”
“Brandon Jones.”
“You have an address and phone number for him?”
“Sure.” I gave it to her, and she added it to her notes.
“Okay. Anyone else?”
I shook my head. “Not that I can think of.”
“I’ll file a report and see if one of our detectives can look into it. In the meantime, I’d suggest you be extra careful, and let us know if anything else happens.” I nodded and she put her pad away. “We’ll be in touch.”
“Thank you.”
As they drove away, Stone came to my side. He’d had to give them his name as a witness, and I worried it would be bad for him. “I’m sorry you had to talk to them.”
He raised a brow. “Don’t be. It’s not a problem.” He sighed. “Can we go now? Not that I don’t like your family, but they’re a little much, and we need to talk.”
A smile crossed my lips. “No kidding.” We stepped to where my parents and Felicity stood. “We’re going home now.”
My mom’s brows rose. “But someone just tried to kill you. I don’t want you in your house by yourself. You should stay here, where you’ll be safe.”
Oh crap. Now what?
“She won’t be alone.” Stone wrapped his arm around me. “I’ll be staying with her.”
“Oh.” Mom glanced at Dad and Felicity, and then back at me. “Really?”
I nodded. “Yes. Nate told you he was in security, so he’s been helping me. He already installed a security camera on my front porch and changed the locks.”
“Why? Has someone been threatening you?”
“No. Nothing like that. I just don’t want Brandon to get in the house when I’m not there. In case he made a copy of the key.”
“Oh… right.”
“I thought it was a good idea,” Stone said. “And after this, I’m getting a security system set up as well.” He glanced at my mom. “I’ll make sure she’s fine, and I’m going to find out who did this. They won’t get away with it, I promise.”
My mom’s eyes widened, then she rushed forward and threw her arms around Stone. “Thank you, Nate. I don’t know what’s going on, but I’m so glad you and Serenity are together.”
Caught by surprise, it took Stone a few seconds before he returned the hug and patted her on the back.
I did a mental head-slap. Did she just say we were together?
She stepped away, only to have Felicity throw her arms around him and thank him as well. After she was done, my dad stepped forward. Stone braced for another hug, but Dad held out his hand, instead.
As Stone shook his hand, Dad leaned toward him and lowered his voice. “I’m trusting you have the resources to take care of my daughter?”