CHAPTER SEVEN

Angel and Bull entered the cafeteria giving a head nod to the others. Shelby was sitting with the team, the wives attempting to make her feel more comfortable. As the two men approached, she fidgeted in her seat.

"Was it the same? Did someone do the same to him?" she asked.

"Sort of," said Angel. "This was a woman. She met him in a bar, went to his home, drugged him, and then took his wallet, car, artwork in his home, all kinds of things."

"A woman? That makes me so sad," said Shelby, shaking her head. "Is he safe in his home?"

"He didn't want to leave. He's got a couple of college buddies that are going to stay with him for a while. I have to say, he's handling it pretty well. Most guys would have licked their wounds and not said anything to anyone other than their bank. He was willing to speak with the police, us, and even do a DNA swab."

"A DNA swab?" frowned Shelby.

"Uh, well, he and the lady were intimate," said Bull.

"Oh, God. That's terrible. But that's what she planned, isn't it?" She looked at the others, staring at their faces. "She planned to get him alone, have sex with him, and then steal everything from him. But they didn't do that to me. Not that I'm complaining, but why?"

"Maybe they knew you wouldn't easily go home with them," said Bull. "Or maybe they were worried about you recognizing them."

"Well, that's the truth about going home with them," she said, shaking her head. "A lot of the profiles, men would outright say that they were only interested in hookups. I just can't do that. I'm not built that way. Anyone who wouldn't have conversations with me on the phone, and preferably video phone, I refused to meet. But I never saw anyone, or at least I don't think I did."

"That's strange," said Code, walking in with Antoine and Rafe.

"Why?" asked Shelby.

"They knew what you looked like, Shelby. Not just from your photos on the site, but they had multiple cameras in your home." She instantly paled, tears filling her eyes. "We've re-routed them all to come here. They're not going to be active in your home any longer. I mean, not really. I have your laptop."

"My l-laptop? Why?"

"Somehow, they had your camera turned on. Permanently. There's also a program, that I'm going to be tracing backward, that was watching every time you paid a bill, bought something online, anything. They'd been watching you and your online activity for a while."

"This isn't normal, is it? I mean, I've heard of people who have had their identity taken or they've been scammed, but this feels more like stalking," she said nervously.

"It does look a little like stalking," said Gaspar, "but we can't find any evidence of them following you to work or making threats."

"Uh, well, there was a threat on the television at the end of your recorded program," said Code. Shelby laid her head against the table, taking in deep breaths.

"Babe," frowned Hannah.

"Sorry. Shelby, it's not a life threat. They were just telling you to retract all your statements and to make sure we were no longer involved. Or at least the investigation firm that they knew you hired. They didn't name us specifically. It's why we'd like for you to continue to stay here with us."

"I don't think I have a choice, do I?" she said in a panicked voice. "I mean, I'm eternally grateful, but I can't leave here at all. I can't go back to work, although I damn sure don't want to. I can't leave and get an ice cream or go shopping. Can I?"

"Not right now," said Nine. "It's for your protection, Shelby. We would like for you to go with us to your office tomorrow and introduce us to the woman who set up your profile. We think she might know more than she's letting on."

Shelby nodded, standing from the table.

"Shelby?" frowned Erin.

"It's okay. I'm okay. I just need some fresh air. I'm not sure I can eat right now," she said, walking away. Turning, she gave a small smile. "Thank you for all you're doing. I'm grateful; truly, I am. This is just a lot to take in right now, and I never thought that I'd be standing here. Never. I'm sorry I'm not better company right now."

She left the cafeteria and started to walk toward the grove, then turned and went into the gardens. If she didn't walk back soon, they would send someone for her.

"Code, you have to learn to be a little more sensitive when delivering that kind of information," said Hannah.

"I was sensitive," he frowned.

"I'm telling you, these scammers are different," said Angel. "I think they are targeting specific people, not just trying to scam anyone that responds to them on the site."

"Were they on the same site?" asked Gaspar. "Shelby and Mica. Were they on the same dating site?"

"Yes, although Mica was on a second site as well. He said it's not uncommon to see the same people on various different dating sites," said Bull. "I'm damn glad I'm married."

"Tomorrow, I want to have a little chat with her coworker," said Ghost. Ian, Nine, and Gaspar nodded, echoing his sentiments.

"Same."

Shelby watched as the koi fish opened and closed their mouths, looking for food. The water was beautifully clear. The fountain obviously hand-carved. A beautiful angel, with her wings spread, held a bird in one hand and in another what appeared to be a bouquet of flowers. It should have calmed her, made her feel incredibly at peace. But it didn't.

There was a twisted thought in her head, making her feel somewhat better knowing that someone else had been scammed as well, but it still made her feel like a complete fool.

"Fool. That's what you are, Shelby. A fool."

"No, you're not," said the sweet voice. Shelby turned, seeing Brittany walk toward her. She handed her a glass of iced tea and a piece of George's famous cornbread. "You have to eat something."

"Thank you, Brittany, but I just don't think I'm in the mood for food right now. And believe me, that's a statement I never thought I'd make in my life."

"You're a strong woman, Shelby. I can tell," said the younger woman. "My mom was weak. She left my father while he was deployed fighting for our country. Even as a little girl, I didn't understand that, and when the other moms would talk about it, they didn't use kind words for her.

"She followed a madman and took me with her. It was by pure luck that my father and the team here rescued me. Otherwise, I would have been some crazy man's twentieth wife or something. Popping out children to fill his version of Utopia. It was horrible, Shelby, and I didn't see a way out of it."

"I'm so sorry," said Shelby, frowning at the girl. Suddenly, she was feeling like an idiot thinking her problems were a priority.

"I'm not," said Brittany. "I thought my dad didn't want me. I thought he'd done exactly what my mother always told me. I thought he abandoned me. It turns out that my mother was the one keeping us apart. He's the best man ever."

"Yes, he seems very nice," smiled Shelby.

"Everyone here is amazing, Shelby. Everyone. They know what they're doing, and if you give them time, they will find out who did this to you. They'll fix it all, and you'll leave here a new woman. You just have to be patient."

"You're pretty wise for being so young," smirked Shelby.

"I had to grow up fast," smiled the young woman, holding out her hand. "Join us for dinner?" Shelby nodded, standing to walk back to the cafeteria with the girl. As they entered and got their food, she led them to a table with Tyler and her father.

"Oh, we have company," smiled Red.

"Is this okay? Brittany invited me," said Shelby.

"Of course. It's just fine," said Red, standing to welcome her to their little group. "Please, have a seat and join us."

They all tried to keep the conversation light at dinner. It turned out that Shelby knew a great deal about Canada, having visited her grandparents in Winnipeg several times when she was younger. When the sun finally set below the bayou, she yawned, shaking her head.

"Well, I think I'll get in a hot bath and turn in tonight. Thank you for letting me join your family for dinner," she said, smiling.

"Any time," grinned Brittany. They waved at the young woman as she left, then Red glared at his daughter.

"Whatever you're doing. Stop."

"Dad, she was alone and sad. It was the right thing to do. Besides, she's really nice, and I think she's beautiful."

"Brittany, I appreciate what you're trying to do, but I don't want a woman in my life again. Not now." He knew he was lying to himself, but he thought he was convincing enough that his daughter would leave him alone.

"Dad."

"Britt. No." He stood, leaving Tyler and Brittany at the table. She looked at him, and he just laughed.

"Maybe just let your dad figure out his own love life."

"No. Look where that's gotten him. He's alone, still young, and you can tell that he likes her."

"I know, babe, but don't push this. They're both feeling vulnerable. Especially Shelby. Let her move at her pace, not yours. Okay?" She let out a long sigh, nodding at him.

"Okay." Tyler stared at her a moment, then just shook his head.

"Why don't I believe you?"