“Ethan.”
“I keep thinking about the furniture store. Somebody was watching us. I know it.”
Her posture stiffens slightly. “You think it was Lucas?”
“Possibly. But Lucas isn’t the type to follow you around. I’ve put out feelers for his location, but he seems to be lying low.”
Natalie leans back against the counter. “I hate this. All of it.”
“I know.”
“I just want to enjoy this, this baby, us.”
“I’m trying to make that happen.”
“I know.” Her voice softens, vulnerability peeking through the cracks. She wraps her arms around my waist.
“It’ll be fine. I’ll make sure of it.” I murmur.
She turns around in my arms and I hold her close, burying my face in her hair, breathing in her scent.
“I can’t lose you,” I whisper.
“You won’t.”
I tighten my hold. God help the person who even tries to separate us.
CHAPTER 23
NATALIE
The flowers arrive a week later,midmorning—pristine, white, long-stemmed roses arranged in a beautiful purple box, wrapped in soft gold ribbon. The card, though, is what makes my blood run cold.
‘Pretty flowers for a pretty corpse. Tick-tock.’
No name. No return address. Just jagged, furious handwriting etched in red ink, like someone pressed so hard they nearly tore the paper.
“Layla.” I try to keep the tremor out of my voice.
Layla is grinning as she enters my office. “Seems you have an admirer.”
“Seems so.” I place the card in my drawer. “Do you know who these were from? Did they leave a name at the front desk?”
Layla shakes her head. “I asked, but the receptionist said the delivery guy didn’t know.”
“Okay,” I say after a brief pause. “Get me the number of the service.”
My assistant looks startled. “Do you really have to go that far?”
“Layla.” My voice is quiet but grim, and she swallows.
“Not that it’s any of my business. Sure. Let me check.”
She returns a minute later with the number, and I wait for her to leave before placing the call.
It’s a short conversation, and by the time I put the phone down, I can feel a hard knot in my chest. Nobody remembers who placed the order. I find it odd. The person on the phone recalls that the delivery was paid for by cash but doesn’t remember who it was? He couldn’t even recall whether the person was male or female.
I don’t believe him.
