Chapter 23

Sawyer stood outside Alexa’s apartment that evening, arms crossed, a scowl on his face. He eyed her as she came through the door.

“How’d you get babysitter duty?” Alexa asked as she walked outside, her camera bag slung over one shoulder.

“Austin’s still meeting with the police detective at command headquarters. I’ll drop you off at his place after we’re done. Hudson’s here, too. He’s down in the parking lot watching to make sure we’re not being followed.”

“Lovely. That guy Duke probably took off hours ago. If he’d been around, we both know he split the second Austin showed up. Austin was livid, demanding the apartment complex hand over all the security footage. He combed the entire area himself looking for clues.” She shook her head. “I still can’t believe Duke figured out where I lived.”

Sawyer was watching her, his face tense. “He could’ve been watching your father. Didn’t Admiral Rhinehart show up at your place before he found you at Austin’s apartment?”

“Well yeah, but that was over a month ago. Duke continued sending letters to my parents’ home since then. Why the sudden change if that were the case?”

Sawyer frowned. “I don’t know.”

She walked beside him down the steps, noticing how his head swiveled left and right, surveying the area. She stayed close, not wanting to admit her unease. “Austin’s mad I’m still doing the photoshoot tonight.”

“Yep. He is. But Duke’s a fucking coward. He won’t come after you right now. If he attempts something, it definitely won’t be until this incident blows over. You’ll be safe with me,” Sawyer assured her.

He escorted her to his vehicle, opening the passenger door. “I still can’t believe anyone would hold that big of a grudge,” Alexa said as Sawyer slid in the driver’s seat. “Even if my father did prevent him from getting a promotion, he created plenty of problems on his own.”

“Some guys can’t get out of their own way. He’s unhinged. And as for waiting until today to act? I don’t know what triggered it. Maybe something happened. Maybe he was just tired of waiting to make a move.”

“He’s already been discharged from the military,” Alexa pointed out.

“Duke probably got in trouble with the law some other way, too. He was threatening your father, and when that didn’t work, he’s moved on to outright threatening you.”

She shuddered.

“Hey,” Sawyer said, glancing over and pinning her with a look. “We’ll keep you safe. Austin is dealing with the police right now. He spoke with the MPs as well. I’m not sure what can happen given the guy was discharged, but any info we can use to get him arrested is good.”

Alexa gave Sawyer the address of the beach she was meeting her clients at, and they drove in silence, each lost in their own thoughts. Her phone buzzed a couple of minutes later, and she saw a text from Austin.

Austin: Sorry I couldn’t be there. Sawyer will keep you safe.

Alexa: I know. Any helpful info from the police?

Austin: Negative, but I’m working on it. See you tonight. xx

“That was Austin checking in,” she told Sawyer. She did a doubletake as she saw him smirking. “What?”

Sawyer shook his head. “Just that the guy’s totally whipped. He’s crazy about you,” Sawyer said.

Alexa laughed despite herself. Hearing that from Sawyer was just too much. Nothing like some helpful words of wisdom from a man who didn’t seem at all interested in a girlfriend. “How would you know?” she asked.

“Please. I’ve known the guy for years. My teammates are practically like brothers. He’s all in,” Sawyer said confidently, his gaze checking the rearview mirror.

“Are we being followed?” she asked.

“Just by Hudson.”

“That’s good,” she said, relief washing over her. “And for the record? I’m pretty crazy about Austin, too.”

***

Alexa eyed Austin that night, the past hour they’d spent talking over the situation draining her energy. Austin looked worried, which was unlike him. His normally easygoing demeanor was replaced with the tense look that seemed permanently fixed on his face. He ran a hand over his short-cropped hair, pacing back and forth. “I wish the police would just arrest the mofo. He’s threatened your father, he’s threatened you—”

“We can’t prove who left the dead bird and note,” Alexa pointed out. “There were no fingerprints, and the surveillance from my parking lot didn’t show who put them there.”

“Damn it,” Austin muttered.

“Do you really think he’d come after me?” Alexa asked. “And don’t say yes just because you’re my overprotective boyfriend. He was trying to scare us, yes, but what are the chances he really seeks revenge on my father by harming me?”

Austin let out a sigh. “I just don’t know, Lex. It’s not a chance I want to take either. People can do crazy things when they’re hell bent on revenge. The guy got into a knife fight with some other sailors he was arguing with. We’re trained to defend ourselves, and despite the fact that you’re in good shape, I’m a hell of a lot stronger than you. But if Duke came after you? Hurt you? I don’t think I could stomach it.”

“They’ve got to be able to make an arrest soon based on the letters. He’s been threatening my father for months.”

Austin nodded. “I hope so. It feels like it’s taking too damn long. If he wants to hurt your father, harming you would sure as hell accomplish that.” He eyed her, seemingly wanting to tread carefully. “I wonder if you should reconsider flying to Kauai on Wednesday.”

She blew out a breath. “We’ve been over this. I’m probably safer there than here in Honolulu. He’ll assume I’m still in Oahu. He can leave all the notes he wants on my windshield. I just won’t be here to see them.”

“I still don’t think it’s a good idea,” he said, looking concerned. “What about postponing it?”

“Austin, this is my career. My life. You fly off around the world to God knows where—places I’ll never know about, doing things I could never dream of—and you’re upset that I’m going to Kauai for a couple of days?”

“I’m worried because I care about you,” he said. “Normally, I’d say have at it. You’re an amazing photographer. This guy Duke is nuts. He might’ve sent your father threatening letters in the mail, but he basically hand-delivered that one to you. The guy is crazy.”

She huffed out an exasperated sigh. “If he knows where I live and what my car looks like, it’s safer if I’m gone for a few days. We can figure it out when I get back. I’m staying in a hotel, not with my parents, so he wouldn’t be able to find me there. They’re already upset enough about the entire situation anyway.”

“The situation meaning Duke’s threats or because I knocked up their daughter?” he asked sarcastically.

“Yes. Both!” She ran her hands through her hair, agitated. “Austin, you know how my father is.”

“Yep. And while I disagree with him on a number of things, your safety isn’t one of them.”

Alexa looked away, feeling defeated. “I don’t want to argue with you,” she said. “Maybe I should just go home tonight. I’ve got an early flight.”

“Lex.”

She shook her head, turning away before he could see the tears smarting her eyes. Austin was always in her court, the one she could turn to for anything, but in this case, he was reminding her too much of her father.

“I’ll call you later on tonight,” she said, moving across his apartment before he could stop her. She heard his huff of a breath from his living room, but he stayed where he was, not chasing her down. She turned the doorknob, letting the heavy door swing shut behind her.

Hot tears spilled down her cheeks as she hurried to her convertible. This was the first time Austin hadn’t walked her to her car. She knew he was angry she wasn’t postponing her trip, but the fact of the matter was, it would be better for her to disappear for a few days. They could talk when she got home from Kauai.