Chapter 20

CHAPTER TWENTY

Ainsley’s ears perked up at the sound of the feminine voice, and she jolted from the chair. She rounded the doorway of the office at a near run and immediately slammed into a huge body.

Her breath momentarily suspended in her lungs, her heart stalling. The fear that rolled through her dissipated as the familiar feel and smell of the man penetrated her brain. “Oh! I’m so sorry.”

Dare caught her easily as she bounced off his chest, and he waited until she was steady before releasing her. “No harm done.”

Ainsley glanced over his shoulder then back up at his face. He appeared to read her mind because he cracked a smile as he stared down at her. “Your sister’s in the living room.”

Ainsley couldn’t contain the smile that broke across her face at the news. “What’s she doing here?”

Dare fell into step next to her as they made their way down the hallway. “Probably wants to check on you. She and Cam are both here.”

Ainsley nodded at the mention of Kinley’s best friend, Campbell McCoy, who worked with Dare. Kinley’s gaze immediately zeroed in on Ainsley as she approached the living room, and she popped up from the couch. Kinley threw her arms around Ainsley and hugged her tight. She pulled back a moment later and shot Ainsley a concerned look. “How are you feeling?”

“I’m fine. Really.”

Kinley released her and dropped back to the couch, shooting a dirty look Cam’s way as she did so. “He wouldn’t give me any details, and I know you told me everything was okay, but... I wanted to see you for myself.”

Cam nodded Ainsley’s way. “Glad to see you’re feeling better.”

“I am, thanks.”

Dare gestured with his chin. “We’ll leave you ladies alone. I’ll be in the office if you need anything.”

Ainsley smiled in acknowledgment. “Thanks.”

Dare snapped his fingers, indicating for Sarge to follow. The dog lifted his head briefly to send an insouciant look Dare’s way, then flopped back down again.

Dare made an impatient sound in the back of his throat. “Sarge.”

“He’s okay.” Anxiety twisted Ainsley’s stomach into a knot as she regarded the dog, then Dare. Since yesterday, Sarge had kept her within his sights at all times but hadn’t ventured closer. He seemed to sense Ainsley’s reticence, and he respected her space while still protecting her. It was oddly touching. “I don’t mind if he stays.”

Dare flicked a look her way. “You sure?”

“No problem.” She forced a smile. It was time for her to get over her ridiculous fear anyway.

“All right. If you change your mind…”

“I won’t.” She waved off his offer, and the men disappeared. Ainsley turned back toward Kinley only to find her sister studying her intently. “What?”

“Just thinking.” Kinley shrugged. “I was a little surprised to hear you were moving back.”

Ainsley dropped her gaze away. “I missed it here. And you know I hated being so far away from you guys.”

“I’m glad you’re home. Have you found a job yet?”

“Actually, yeah. Dare’s sister was looking for someone to help with some office work, so he suggested me. It’s worked out really well so far. It’s not hard work, but it keeps me busy. Plus, any paycheck is better than none at all.”

Never again would she rely on a man to take care of her. Even if she eventually married, Ainsley would never allow a man to have full control again. She wanted her own money, her own safety net.

She’d emailed Marley her information this morning so she could set up her direct deposit, and she was ridiculously excited at the prospect of receiving her first check. She would finally be able to pay Dare for the suite and have a little left over to put into savings.

She would eventually need to go back to the bar to get her things, but she had enough now to get by. For now, she needed to lie low just a bit longer. Until Joel stopped looking for her.

“The company is just outside of town,” Ainsley elaborated, “but I work from here. Dare lets me use his office while he’s at work.”

Her sister nodded slowly. “That’s nice of him. Do you rent a room?”

“It’s a full suite adjacent to the house. The stairs are out by the patio, so I can come and go as I please. I was worried about the arrangement at first,” Ainsley admitted, “but he’s been really great.”

“That’s good. So, what happens when he gets home? Do you go back to your suite?”

“Sometimes.” Ainsley shrugged. “Usually we make dinner and we’ll talk for a bit before bed.”

“Well, he moves quickly,” Kinley said dryly, a hint of humor in her tone.

Ainsley felt her cheeks go up in flames. “It’s not like that. I’m sure he’s just being nice because I’m new. Not new to Brookhaven.” She waved a hand in the air. “But you know. Because I’m renting the suite. He’s just being… neighborly.”

Kinley studied her, the blue eyes so similar to her own seeming to delve deep into her soul. “He does seem protective of you.”

Ainsley didn’t know how to reply to that. In truth, she’d never felt safer than when she was with Dare. Despite her fear from yesterday, Ainsley knew he would keep her safe. He’d stuck by her side every waking moment, made sure she was taking her medicine and eating to keep up her strength. He’d been absolutely amazing and he put her at ease in a way no one else ever had.

It was strange because he was so intense, his attention like a laser beam focused on her, scanning her every thought. As she had last night, she found herself contemplating what it might be like to have Dare view her not with sympathy, but with desire.

She wanted so badly to ask Kinley for advice, but she bit back the urge. There was no sense in contemplating something that would never—could never—happen.

“Remind me to show you around before you go.”

Kinley stared at her for a long moment before accepting the abrupt change of subject. “Sure. So, tell me what happened yesterday.”

Ainsley recounted the details of yesterday’s shooting at the plaza. “Dare has everyone trying to track down whoever it was, so I’m sure they’ll find him soon.”

“I’m sure they will,” Kinley said. “Do they have any leads yet?”

Ainsley had her suspicions, and she bit her lip. She couldn’t reveal the details of her past, even to Kinley. She was too ashamed. “I don’t think so. I haven’t heard anything yet.”

“We’ve never had anything like that here before.” Kinley eyed her for a moment. “It’s so strange… Like, the moment you show up, someone shoots at you. I swear, the world is going crazy.”

“It is.” Ainsley nodded, ignoring Kinley’s implication that Ainsley’s arrival had somehow precipitated the shooting. There was no way her sister could possibly know about Joel.

She picked at her thumbnail. “They’re still trying to figure out exactly what happened. There were a lot of other people around, too, so who knows?”

But no one close to her. The knowledge sent chills down her spine. Though she’d tried to dispel the thoughts that had plagued her for the past twenty-four hours, she knew… Joel had found her.

And this time, he wouldn’t let her go.