“What? I need to go to him. Something is obviously wrong with him. He didn’t even come when I called.”
“That’s what I’m worried about. Something’s not right.”
“Oh screw that, St. James. Let me go get my dog.”
Shaking off his hand, she darted forward and knelt down, pulling Snickers back from the door. He turned into her and licked her face, something he rarely did, but when he looked back at the door, he stiffened and growled low in his throat.
Starting to get worried, she watched as Jax put his hand on the knob and it turned easily, opening up.
“Didn’t you lock that?” she asked softly.
“I did. Take Snickers and get in the truck. Keep your phone out just in case. I’ll go check out the house.”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea. I should call the sheriff.”
“Piper. I can handle this, if it’s even anything at all. I’m a fighter, remember? That’s who I am. Now go back to the truck.”
Reluctantly nodding, she went back to the truck, cracking the window to hear better once she was inside. She absolutely hated the feeling of needing a man to take care of her, but what he said made sense.
It felt like hours passed before he came back out and waved her in, but in reality it was only a couple minutes. Shooting out of the car, she held Snickers tight to her chest as she ran up the steps.
“And?” she asked breathlessly.
“There’s no one inside, but someone was in there while we were gone,” he said grimly.
“What?” she screeched. Running inside, she skidded to a stop and gazed around in confusion. Nothing seemed touched in the entryway and hallway, the tables and knickknacks still in their places.
“The kitchen,” Jax said softly behind her.
Frowning and wondering why anyone would break in and go through a kitchen, she set Snickers down and walked swiftly to the kitchen. “What in the actual fuck?” she said incredulously.
The drawers and the cabinets were open, all the cookbooks and recipes strewn about the floor. She walked around, careful to make sure she didn’t ruin anything, frowning as she realized the mail, old coupons, and anything paper was thrown to the floor.
“This is weird,” she said softly.
“Your grandfather’s office was gone through, as well, and your and your grandmother’s bedrooms. It’s all the same, though. Nothing appears to be taken or broken, but you should probably double check.”
Nodding, she turned without a word and made her way to the office, looking around at the mess. Books were also pulled off the shelves and scattered throughout the room.
The bedrooms weren’t as bad, but she felt uncomfortable at the thought of someone upstairs. A slow burning fury moved through her as she thought about someone going through her grandparent’s things, touching them with so little care.
Making her way back downstairs, she found Jax frowning at the door latch. “Did they damage it badly?”
“That’s just the thing,” he said, standing to face her. “None of the doors are damaged in any way, no new scratches, nothing. All the windows on the first floor are shut and locked, too. I’m not sure how they got in.”
“Maybe the spare key? That’s the only thing that makes sense. I meant to take it yesterday after you left, but I forgot.”
Giving her a half-smile, he replied, “Wanting to make sure I don’t have access to the house, no doubt.”
“Yep. I definitely meant it when I said I didn’t want to see you again. Best laid plans, and all that.”
“You’re not going to like what I have to say next then. I want you to come stay with me, at Rocky River.”
“You can’t be serious. You’re out of your fucking mind if you think I’m going home with you.”
“I really think it’s best
, Pippy.”