There was a beat of silence. “No, shit.” The man mused before catching himself. “Sorry, Ms. Miller. You’ve been the hot conversation for the past few hours. Everyone and their mother is talking about you.”
His jaw tightened. “We want to know how. She’s lived in Mass for years. Never been bothered. Who gave her up?” Someone was fucking with her, and he didn’t like it. Not one bit.
“We received an anonymous email to the tip inbox—and from what I’ve heard, so did every other news station in the area. Pictures, address, social media accounts. It was written as though Ms. Miller were sending it herself. Said she was ready to tell her story. I’ll track it down and fax it to your office.” The severe clip of Justin’s voice pleased him. The man would send him the information he needed. In the meantime, he’d keep Kinley close.
“Forward it to me, too. I need to see it right away.” Instead of stopping at her apartment, he drove right past. She didn’t protest. Her brow was creased, frustration evident on her face as she studied the two news vans parallel parked in front of her building.
“Of course. And I’m sorry to you both for any trouble you encountered tonight. I’ll talk to the team.”
“The local PD might need a statement,” he said.
“I’ll contact them in the morning. Take care.”
When they ended their conversation, he glanced at Kinley. Her eyes were closed, body rigid.
“We can’t go to your apartment. Not without giving whoever set this up the satisfaction of watching you fight through reporters to get into your building.”
“I know. Drop me at the barracks. Won’t be the first time I’ve spent the night at my desk.”
“You need to eat. Rest. Have some time to decompress. I have three spare bedrooms in case my family ever needs to crash at my place. You have your pick. I have spare toothbrushes in the closet. They’ll be big on you, but I have a shirt and sweats you can sleep in.” The image of her in one of his shirts, the hem hitting her knees, made his nerve endings snap to life.
“I appreciate the offer, but I hardly know you. It would feel weird to be in someone else’s space right now.”
“So would sleeping upright at your desk. Listen, you don’t have to say a word to me all night if you want to be alone. I get it. I’m not easily offended. If you want to chill on my living room couch and hog the television? That’s fine. Raid my refrigerator and pantry? That’s cool, too. I can make dinner and leave it at your door like a bed-and-breakfast if that’s what you want. I don’t care what you do in my space. I just want you close.”
“Why?” Her golden eyes narrowed.
He spared a glance at the road, then turned his gaze to Kinley. “Because you’re important to Gus, so you’re important to me, and no one should have to face something like this alone. Because you’re the definition of strength and overcoming adversity, and it’s an honor to offer help in any way I can.” Satisfaction filled his lungs when he saw something more than suspicion flicker over her face. Her jaw dropped, full lips turning into an O.
For the first time since he’d started driving, the cab of the truck was silent.