“Come on,” he said, nodding toward the sound and reaching out to squeeze her hand, before walking with her toward Gabe’s office.Nica knew her brother wanted to make sure she was okay, especially since Gabe’s over-the-top reaction to the damage.She also knew that Gabe wouldn’t hurt her, no matter how angry he was.“Your husband needs you.But remember what I said—tomorrow at dinner.No more secrets.”They stopped outside of the office doorway and his calloused hand reached up and cupped her cheek.“For what it’s worth, you’ve got my support, sugarplum.”
Nica hurried into Gabe’s office, her mind whirling with questions.She knew who Melissa Carpenter was, but how was this mess connected to her?What else happened in California to set off a monster who took such joy in tormenting Gabe years after the fact?And how was she going to face her mother tomorrow and explain why she’d gotten married without a single family member present?
One thing was certain, their quiet life in Shiloh Springs had just become a lot more complicated.
Gabe’s boots clickedsharply on the clinic’s linoleum floor, the sound slicing through the stillness that hung heavy in the air.The back of the clinic was silent in a way that felt wrong.The kind of stillness you get when something unspeakable has already happened and everyone is just waiting for the fallout.He could hear the voices from the front of the clinic, where the CSI team from the sheriff’s office finished their investigative work.They’d already been back here.
He had seen a lot in the short time he’d been in Shiloh Springs.This clinic had taken care of its citizens for more years than he’d been alive—sick kids, broken bones, the occasional domestic dispute that got out of hand—but this?This wasn’t simple vandalism for the sake of vandalism.It wasn’t some teenager acting out or a petty thief looking for a quick score.No, this was personal.And it was aimed at ruining him in the eyes of the town’s citizens.
The clinic was abuzz with chaos when he and Rafe walked through the door.Dusty stood near the front, scribbling something on a notepad, but his eyes darted nervously between Gabe and Rafe, like he knew this was bad.Then again, there wasn’t much crime in Shiloh Springs, so everyone knew this felt wrong.
The clinic had always felt like a safe place.It had been the anchor to a life he’d worked hard to build after the mess he left behind, a career he’d fought tooth and nail to rebuild.But now it felt like everything was slipping through his fingers.He had been violated in a way he couldn’t even begin to process.
“Your office has been processed, but you’re gonna want to take a look.”Dusty nodded toward the back hallway.
Gabe nodded, but his mind wasn’t on the deputy’s words.It was on Nica.
She was here, at the clinic.He could feel her presence like a shadow lurking at the edge of his thoughts, a warm, comforting presence he had grown used to.He could already sense it.She wasn’t just here to check on him, at least that wasn’t the only reason.She was here because whatever had happened in his office, it felt like it had taken a piece of her, too, especially after he’d confessed everything to her.This bloody stalker with his anonymous threats had gotten to her, with files and newspaper clippings, and a letter accusing him of heinous acts.
But there was no time for worrying about that.Not now.
His pulse quickened as he stepped into his office.The first thing he noticed was the smell, a sharp, chemical tang in the air.His eyes darted to the walls.No—no, it wasn’t just the smell.The sight of the spray paint made his stomach drop.
Melissa Carpenter.
The letters were written in huge, jagged red strokes.It wasn’t even a word.It was a shout, the kind of accusation that made every inch of his skin crawl.And the paint dripped like blood down the walls, making it look like a murderous crime scene.
His heart thudded in his chest, his breath catching as the reality of it settled in.Someone was sending him a message.No,someonewasn’t just sending him a message.They were trying to ruin him.
“I’m sorry,” Rafe’s voice broke through his thoughts.The sheriff had followed him into the office.His eyes flickered to the wall, then to Gabe’s clenched jaw.
“Someone’s trying to tear me down,” Gabe said, his voice rougher than he intended.
“Yeah,” Rafe replied, looking grim.“The question is are you going to let them succeed?”Without another word, Rafe headed out the office door, leaving Gabe standing alone, staring at the desecration.He wanted to race after Rafe, demand to know what he was going to do, but there was something more important he needed to check on.The one thing that mattered most now.
He had to make sure Nica was safe.
He turned sharply, starting for the door, and found her standing right outside in the hall.Face pale, then a flush of red stained her cheeks.Her eyes were bloodshot, like she had been trying not to cry.
Gabe didn’t hesitate.He crossed to her in three strides, pulling her into his arms, holding her close.
“I’m sorry,” he murmured into her hair.“I’m so sorry.”
Her body stiffened for a brief second, then she melted into him.Her hands gripped the back of his shirt, her breath ragged against his chest.Gabe could feel the weight of her worry.Could feel the tremble in her body that mirrored his own.
“Why is this happening?”Nica whispered.“I don’t understand why somebody would do this.”
Gabe’s arms tightened around her, as if holding her would somehow make it all go away.But it wouldn’t.He knew that.
“You don’t deserve any of this, Nica.None of it.”His voice cracked, the words a low plea, as though the weight of it all was too much to bear.“I never wanted to bring this kind of hurt into your life.You shouldn’t have to deal with my past, my mistakes.”
Her hands slid up to his face, her touch gentle but firm.“Gabe, look at me.”She tilted his chin up, forcing him to meet her gaze.“You don’t get to carry this alone.You don’t get to shoulder all of it.Not anymore.”She lay her head against his shoulder, and he blinked rapidly, tears threatening to fall.What had he ever done to deserve her?
He wanted to argue, wanted to keep apologizing, but he couldn’t.Not when she had looked at him like he was the only man in the whole world—like she was fighting alongside him, not against him.
“Sweetheart…”
“I know you told Rafe.About the wedding.About us,” she whispered softly.“You didn’t have to.I’m not mad at you, I promise.I’m just…I don’t know what’s happening anymore.Do you think it was a mistake, keeping our marriage a secret from my family?”
