“I wish I could, but I’ve got to get up early tomorrow for work.” The regret in his voice led her to believe that he was telling the truth. He crossed the room to where she stood, close but not quite touching. “I doubt you’ll believe this, but in spite of everything that happened tonight, I had a good time because you were there.”
It was all she could do not to smile. “You’re right. I don’t believe you.”
He laughed softly. “In that case, would you believe it didn’t suck as badly as it could have because you were there?”
“That seems like a low bar to clear.” Her gaze flicked up to his. “Do you think your family believed us?”
He nodded. “Steph and Sadie liked you a lot, and Ma wouldn’t have given you such a hard time if she didn’t think we were a couple.”
“She really hates me.”
“No, she doesn’t. It’s nothing personal. She just sees you as an obstacle in her quest to get what she wants.”
“That doesn’t make me feel better.”
The pair of lines between Joe’s eyebrows deepened. “Are you sure you want to keep doing this? I can tell them you’re busy or something for the rest of the time they’re in town.”
“No, it’s okay. I can handle it. Now that I know what I’m up against, I’ll be ready for whatever your mother throws my way.”
He gave a smile that reached his eyes and warmed her skin from within. Reaching up, he tucked a wayward strand of hair behind her ear, and it took every bit of her self-control not to lean into his touch. “Thanks again for doing this. You have no idea how much I appreciate it.”
His gaze drifted down to her mouth, as if he were thinking about kissing her again, and a little thrill went through her. She wetted her lips. His eyes turned molten. But just as he started to lower his head, a distressed meow shattered the tension.
Fiona turned her head toward the sound. “Wanda?”
There it was again, louder this time, though it sounded a little muffled.
Joe’s eyes narrowed. “I think it’s coming from your bathroom.”
“But that’s…” Her voice trailed off as she noticed the bathroom door was closed. A chill went through her. “That door was open when I left.”
“Are you sure?”
She nodded. “The litter box is in there.” With an apartment as small as hers, there weren’t many other places to put it.
“Son of a bitch.” And just like that, Joe’s whole demeanor shifted, giving her a glimpse of the man who’d served his country for more than a decade, a warrior preparing for battle. “Take your keys and wait by the front door. I’ll check it out.”
“Should I call the police?” she asked in a whisper.
“Considering the situation with your ex, I don’t think that’s the best option.” His icy gaze scanned the apartment as if searching for potential threats. “If anything happens, I want you to get the hell out of here, okay? Get in your car, drive away, and don’t call the police until you’re a safe distance away.”
He didn’t wait for her response. With silent precision, he moved down the short, narrow hall to the bathroom door. Slowly, he wrapped his hand around the doorknob. For a moment or two, he went perfectly still, his half-drawn breath exaggerating the V of his torso. At last, he opened the door, and Wanda tore out of the darkened bathroom like her tail was on fire and darted behind the sofa.
Joe held up a hand to signal for Fiona to stay put. He gave the bathroom a quick inspection before he disappeared into her bedroom.
When he emerged from the bedroom a minute or so later, his posture had relaxed a notch. The ice in his eyes had thawed a few degrees, though his scowl remained firmly in place. “If anyone was in here, they’re long gone.”
“That doesn’t make me feel better.” Actually, she was pretty freaked out at the thought of somebody breaking into her home.
He didn’t say anything, just closed the short distance between them and gathered her into his arms. It was exactly what she needed to take the edge off her nerves. They stayed that way for the longest time, until he finally eased back far enough to press a kiss to her forehead.
“Why don’t you take a look around and see if anything’s missing?” His voice was low, soothing. “I need to make a call. I’ll be right outside if you need me.”
He was out the door before she could ask who he was calling and why.
Before she began her inspection, she turned on every light in the apartment and coaxed Wanda out from behind the sofa. Thankfully, the cat didn’t appear to be harmed from whatever events led to her confinement in the bathroom.
With the cat cradled against her chest, purring louder than a jet engine, she inspected the living room and kitchen. Everything appeared as it should, with nothing broken or missing, not even the electronics that could be pawned for quick cash. The ornament Liz had given her was still in its gift bag on the counter, while a small stack of outgoing mail sat on the bar separating the kitchen and living areas. And yet she still couldn’t shake the sense of violation. Somebody had been in her apartment, going through her things. It made her angry, as well as scared. Had her apartment been chosen at random, or was she specifically targeted?
