He nodded. “Yes, I can definitely do that, but I want to evaluate her first. Alone, if you don’t mind. It’s better if you aren’t in the room. I don’t want anything to influence her.”
She understood. “Yeah, I do feel she sometimes uses me as a crutch. Its—”
Emily sucked in a breath and blinked at her silver Subaru.
Someone had used bright orange spray-paint and wrote the word BITCH across her hood, window, and part of her driver side, including the door.
Perez…
I’m not leaving without my dog, bitch.
The crazy man’s words sounded in her head.
Holden muttered a curse before pulling out his phone to call Gabe, all while glancing around the area.
Emily’s heart was in her throat as she quickly scanned the parking lot too. Several cars but no occupants met her gaze. It appeared as if she and Holden were the only people outside the shelter.
Kade had security cameras, as did the Humane Society, but it was doubtful they’d caught anything. She had parked off to the side where the employees parked. But perhaps one of the cameras caught a glimpse of the jerk driving in or leaving. Especially if it was with as much zeal as last week when he’d nearly hit Gabe’s Tahoe.
She eyed her car and bit back a curse. It was the first car she ever bought that was new. Granted, that had been over five years ago, but still. Her chest was as tight as her jaw that cracked. She’d worked extra shifts to save up a good down payment to afford the reliable vehicle.
How had the creep managed to graffiti her baby without anyone seeing him?
Jesus…had he been in the parking lot when she’d arrived at the end of her shift?
She didn’t think so. Surely, she would’ve spotted his old Bronco.
Although, it wasn’t as if she was actively looking for it.
Unease rippled through her and the hair on the back of her neck stood up again.
Was he watching her now?
Chapter Eleven
It was another ninety minutes before Emily drove herBitchmobilehome, with Holden following close behind. He’d stood by her while she talked to Gabe, the feel of his hand lightly touching her back providing comfort as well as a calming strength, and she’d appreciated both.
Kade had shown up when she was on the phone with her insurance agent. Emily had noted all three men were deep in conversation, at least, deep enough to cause frowns.
Emily really didn’t want to know what they’d been talking about. And right now, she wanted a margarita. A big one.
Alcohol on a work night wasn’t a normal indulgence, unless it was a glass of wine. But tonight, a glass of wine wasn’t going to cut it. She needed something stronger.
She needed Holden.
But, first, she wanted him to work with Queenie.
He made her stay in her car until he checked the perimeter, then motioned that it was safe to get out.
It had better be, or the fancy equipment they’d installed the other day wasn’t working, considering her phone hadn’t displayed any alerts. Glad to discover all was well, she unlocked her door, and he held it open while she stepped inside.
After he shut the door, he locked it, and the sound sent a tiny thrill down her currently stiff spine.
“Afraid I’ll escape?” she asked, trying to lighten the mood.
His lips twitched as he set his hands on her shoulders. “You got any alcohol?”
She snorted and told him about her drink of choice. “Would you like one?”
