16. Windsor

CHAPTER 16

Staring at the door to my condo, I'm shocked at my level of fear at entering a space I haven't been to in almost a month. Ever since the weekend that I was poisoned, Tanner and Tucker have hardly let me out of their sights.

Don't get me wrong, I rather enjoy their attention, especially when it involves the pleasure they give me, but coming home is long overdue. I've finally taken care of my mother's outstanding lien and listed this place for sale, but I'm still afraid of what's behind this door. Thankfully, no more pictures have shown up, and there's been nothing to indicate my admirer is still watching me, but that doesn't necessarily mean he's gone.

"You ready for this?" Lux asks when she finds me standing in front of the door with the keys dangling in the lock.

"Not really," I whisper, emotion clogging my throat.

Standing shoulder to shoulder with me, Lux also stares at the door before saying quietly, "You don't have to, you know. I know for a fact those men of yours would be more than happy to come do this for you. Hell, they'd buy a whole new apartment for you if they hadn't planned on you moving in with them like it was a given."

"I'm not living with them." Am I?

Lux laughs softly. "Hate to break it to you, sister, but yeah, you most certainly are." Turning the knob, she pushes the door open, and I suck in a sharp breath, worried about what I'll find. "I mean, they bought you a wardrobe. All the freaking clothes they could find!"

She's right. They did do that. In fact, they went so overboard that I sent some things back. My sister had been there when the clothes were delivered, and I'd even sent some home with her because it was too much. I cried when I realized how thoughtful they were in their selections. Buying me things they knew I'd wear in the office and for comfort. They paid attention to my style and preferences. Never in my life had anyone given me such a thoughtful gift.

"Based on your new home-"

"I'm not living with them."

"Sure, Winds, sure. I'd say everything here looks about right. Anything out of place?" We both lean forward to glance through the open door.

"Hey, Windsor, haven't seen you in a while." We scream and spin at the unexpected voice.

"Joe! You nearly gave me a heart attack." His eyes narrow, roaming over us both.

"Where you been?" I feel Lux tense next to me, and she clearly gets the same vibes from him as I always have.

"With her men. Working, bonding with a newfound sister. She's moving." I plaster on a placating smile to take the sting out of Lux's words as Joe's eyes widen.

"Men?" He appears like he might shit his pants. "Those same ones you brought home?" I almost miss the anger and the way his eyes narrow on me in judgment.

"Them be the ones!" Lux sings as she begins pulling me into my home. "We've got to go now. Packing up and moving along!" The door slams as soon as I'm clear of it, and she twists the locks so he can't come in.

"That was…"

"Creepy," she finishes for me. "He always like that?" I nod in answer as my gaze roves around the space. Something feels…off. But I'm not sure what.

Nothing appears out of place, but there's this feeling deep in the pit of my gut that screams something is different. Leisurely wandering around my living space, Lux talks about my weird neighbor, but I barely hear a thing as I try to figure out what's wrong.

"Windy, are you listening to me?" Brushing the living room curtains aside, I notice the window is open an inch or so above the sill.

"I didn't leave this open," I mumble.

"Don't touch it!" she shouts when I move to slam it down and lock it again. "We need to call Beau. He could get prints or something."

Backing up a step, I let her make the call as I check the remainder of the windows and the bedroom. Nothing else is amiss, just that window, but I can't shake the feeling someone has been in here since I've been gone. It couldn't have been Tanner or Tucker because every time I told them I needed something from home, they'd order it instead, and it would show up the same day.

"Beau is on his way; he's called your men, as well. I bet they're here before Beau." Lux has been deeply amused by how possessive the twins are over me, and as much as I hate to admit it because I should be a strong, independent woman, I kind of love it, too. I especially love that they don't control me while still being so dominant.

"I think you're probably right." I'm distracted when I notice a dog figurine on my dresser that I don't recognize. It's nothing remarkable, hardly even noticeable, but because it's a little tan pug, a dog breed I'm not fond of, it stands out more.

Picking up the porcelain figure, I study it all the way around, and when I reach the bottom, I notice a tiny wire sticking out. Popping the bottom off, I'm stunned to find a pin-size camera release from one of the eyes as I tug it out.

"Lux!" I shout, and she comes running after investigating the bathroom.

"What is it?" she responds. I hold the item up, and her jaw drops. "Shut the front door!" Her shout is subdued, but I don't see a speaker in the object, so I don't think they can hear us. "Who the hell would do that?" That's rhetorical because, of course, I don't know, or this whole mess would be behind me already.

Solemnly walking back out to the living room with the pug in hand, I drop down onto my sofa and lean back. Closing my eyes, I attempt to relax and breathe evenly to avoid the panic attack I feel rising in my chest.

There have been several leads in my case, but none have panned out. Nobody has been able to identify the man we know has been stalking me. It almost feels as if they never will, and I can't live like this. I can't keep on going, worrying about what this guy might do to me.

Tears silently slide down my cheeks as I sit and wait for all these men to tell me they can't find who's behind the threats.

Tucker

"I don't like this," I mutter for what must be the twentieth time as I scroll endlessly through emails that need answering but don't hold my attention.

"You've mentioned that." I barely resist the urge to growl at Tanner. "I'm not a fan, either, but she doesn't need to be stifled by us, and she's got security tailing her." She doesn't know about that minor detail because, in the end, she'd just argue with us, and we'd wind up doing what we'd done anyway.

Grunting, I read through an email from one of our clients requesting four shipping containers of non-perishable food be sent to Indonesia after an earthquake followed by a typhoon nearly demolished one of the tiny islands. Often, we get these requests from our altruistic high-profile clients, and we always offer a discounted rate or match their donations. After responding back with a requested list of items they're sending, I research what else the country needs and decide to send medical supplies along with the food.

Before I can tell Tanner what I'm doing, the phone rings. "This is Tucker Graham."

"It's Beau. Get to Windsor's apartment now." He hangs up before I can question why. Calling down to the front desk, I request a car be brought up from the garage ASAP.

"What's going on?" Tanner's up and out from behind his desk before I've hung up.

"That was Beau. He wants us at Windsor's apartment now."

We're both quiet as we head out. Our front desk manager hands me the keys to one of our Land Rovers. I drive while Tan jumps in the passenger seat, texting furiously as I navigate through the city.

The security we had tailing her meets us at the front doors. One takes the keys from me while the other gives a rundown of what's going on around the building and street. Nothing feels out of place, but as we arrive on her floor, I see a man standing in the doorway of what I assume is his place across the hall from our woman's.

Ignoring him, I open Windsor's door and step in. I hear the guy mutter something, but as soon as I spot Windsor sobbing silently on the sofa, I go to her instead.

"Sweetheart." She shakes her head and holds out something in her hand. Taking it from her, I see a tan pug figurine with a wire hanging from the bottom, and I immediately recognize it.

"Is that what I think it is?" Tanner asks as he takes a seat next to her, pulling her body into his lap.

"Camera." Standing up, I begin searching for more because I'd bet everything I'm worth that there are others. A guy does something like this, and there always is.

"She hasn't said a word since she found it," Lux whispers from where she's making tea in the small kitchen. Squeezing her shoulder, I continue my search.

Finding another figurine in the bathroom—this time a ballerina—there's a camera inside of it as well. My anger grows as I keep searching. A dolphin, a horse, and a picture frame are set in different spots of her home. Each with cameras inside.

Finding a bag under the sink, I stick all of them inside and tie it up before placing them in a drawer. I'll leave them for Beau to investigate because if I find the asshole who's harassing her and trying to kill her, I just might kill them instead, and the very last thing I want to do is leave Windsor's side. I love her too fucking much to do that to her.

A knock on the door draws me from my murderous contemplation. Pulling it open, the asshole neighbor is still there, standing behind Beau. "Come in," I growl, slamming the door shut.

"Lux said there was a camera in her room?" His eyes move between the two women.

"Five. All in different places." Showing him the drawer, he scowls before asking me to point out where they were found. After taking pictures, he puts on a pair of gloves and begins inspecting the cameras in each one.

"What do you know of the neighbor?" he asks me, and I'm immediately on alert.

"He creeps her out," Lux answers before me. "He was all questions when we got here. Kept asking where she'd been and why she hadn't been around. I got the feeling he infringes on her personal space a little too often."

"The thing is, these cameras have a very limited range." All three of us stare at the door.

"Could it seriously be that simple?" Disbelief fuels me towards the door.

Beau stops me from opening it. "I'd like to get a warrant for the guy's place before he knows we're on to him."

"Won't he know since the cameras are disabled?"

"Probably, but I've already texted a judge friend of mine who has been on this case from the beginning because she abhors stalkers, and I knew she'd get me what I needed and quicker than anything else." I fucking hate waiting, but I'm glad Beau has taken steps to ensure nothing can slip through the cracks.

The ding of his phone in the otherwise quiet space turns everyone's focus on him as he reads the message, a bright grin spreading across his face. "I'll need you guys to remain here." Slipping out of the apartment, I hear him speaking with the guy across the way.

An argument heats up, and I open the door to offer a hand, but four uniformed officers are on their way up from the stairs, taking custody of the creepy neighbor as Beau enters his condo. Only minutes pass before he comes back out.

Before addressing me, Beau reads the man his rights, and two uniforms haul him off.

"What did you find?" I already hate the answer.

"He was the one who put the figurines in there. He's also the one who sent the pictures, but I don't think he poisoned her. With stalkers, they either love or hate their victims, and this guy seems to worship Windsor. He's got journals full of poetry about how much he loves her. He's planned their entire future, kids included."

"Well, who the fuck tried to kill her?" I shout the question, hating that we don't have an answer and that this asshole isn't guilty of it all.

"Beau, can you give Lux a ride home?" Tanner comes out to ask, his face a mask of rage.

"Yeah, man, of course."

Glancing back, I watch the sisters huddled up on the couch together. "Let's take our girl home." Heading to the woman who owns every piece of me, I guide her up with a gentle hand and escort her to my waiting vehicle, Tanner not far behind.