“You didn’t use it tonight? How about when you grabbed your laptop?” He nodded to her laptop case sitting on the coffee table.
She shook her head. “No. I went in through my side door like always while Christa was watching the boys clean up. And I locked it before I returned.”
He released her and strode across the room. “Then stay here. Lock the door behind me.”
“What?” She ran after him. “Why? Where are you going?”
“Whoever broke in might still be in your house.”
Her heart rocked. “No. I’ll call the police. Stay here.”
“I already called Gabe,” Dante told her. “He’s on his way. Lock the door behind me.”
Before she could stop him, he was crossing their driveways, gun in hand.
She locked his door and watched helplessly as he entered her dark house. Fear unlike any she’d ever known rushed through her, and she shivered as if a glacial flood iced her veins.
Amanda sent up a silent prayer for his safety, her heart beating so loudly in her ears she almost didn’t hear the knocking on his door.
She rushed to open it but at the last second, she released the handle. What if it wasn’t him? And wouldn’t he have a key?
“Amanda? It’s me, Lyndsey. Let me in.”
Relief brought a rush of tears to her eyes as she unlocked the door and her friend stepped inside.
“Where’s Dante?” she asked, grasping the woman’s shoulders. “Is he okay?”
Lyndsey nodded and hugged her close. “He’s fine. He’s talking with Gabe in your kitchen.”
Amanda drew back. “Then I should get over there.”
“No. Wait for him to come get you.” Her friend shook her head. “Gabe is in sheriff mode, and he knows you’re here. Let them do their job.”
She swallowed. “Job? What do you mean? Why isn’t Dante here? He was hurt, wasn’t he?”
“No. He is fine.” Lyndsey grabbed her by the hand and tugged her toward Dante’s kitchen where she pushed her onto a stool by his island. A few seconds later, she shoved a glass of dark liquid into her hand. “Drink this.”
Her mind was on Dante and whatever could be going on next door. “Did they catch anyone?”
“No. Take a sip.”
She started to lift the glass to her lips but then lowered it. “Then why isn’t he here?”
“Maybe they’re looking around the perimeter or something,” Lyndsey replied. “You’re in shock. You need to take a sip.”
“I don’t want a sip, Lyndsey, I want Dante.” She set the glass down with a thump, and the caramel-colored liquid splooshed over the side and splashed on the counter.
Lyndsey silently handed her a napkin from a nearby holder. She nodded and clenching her teeth to keep her emotions at bay, wiped up her spill.
Amanda knew she sounded childish, but Dante was all she could think about.
“Sorry, Lyndsey,” she said. “It’s just…I don’t give a damn about the house or my possessions. I just want Dante.”
“I’m right here, babe,” he said, walking into the kitchen and straight to her.
She shot off the stool and barreled into him. “Dante…”
He held her close, and she soaked up the warmth in his solid body and reassurance from his steady, sure heartbeat, and strength from the strong arms banded around her. “I’m right here. It’s okay. I’ve got you.”
