“As soon as the internal affairs investigation at work is over,” Jess says. “I’ll take her every Saturday night so you and Natalie can fuck like happy little bunnies. It’s the least I can do to make up for dropping this on you without any warning.” The skin around her eyes tightens. “But I couldn’t stop myself, Cam. I just had this gut feeling that something was wrong, and I wanted to find out what it was before you got in any deeper with Nat and Crissy. I can see how fast you’re falling for both of them.”
“We all can,” Harlow says. “But Nat isn’t the only one in danger from this guy. And you need to know what’s going on so you can watch your back.”
“Hopefully he won’t be able to find her apartment,” Evie says. “Jess dug pretty deep, trying to pin down her new address, but she couldn’t find anything.”
“But I obviously found all kinds of information about the restaurant,” Jess says. “That’s a trail she couldn’t cover. So, if this guy decides to continue his stalking shit, that’s probably where he’ll show up first.”
I rest my hand on the folder, still not wanting to open it.
But I have to. Harlow’s right. If this violent sack of shit comes after Natalie, I’ll be in the line of fire, too. I don’t have to know much about this monster to guess he won’t like seeing Natalie or his daughter with another man.
But I’m not going to open it alone. In the past few weeks, Nat and I have proven how good we are at having fun together.
It’s time to see if we’re as good at dealing with the hard, ugly shit…
I take the folder and lift it into the air. “Nat and Crissy are at a movie, but I’ll look this over with her tonight.”
“You’re not going to read it first?” Evie asks, with a sigh. “That’s so romantically respectful.”
“And unwise,” Jess says, her lips once again pressed into a disapproving slash mark. “What if this douchebag is following you right now, and you have no idea? At least glance at his picture so you have an idea what you’re up against. He’s not a small guy, Cam.”
“And he looks mean,” Harlow says. “Hot, but mean.”
“It’s the eyes,” Evie agrees, leaning over to peer at the photo as I pull it out of the folder. She shudders. “See? They’re dead inside. Though, to be fair, it is a mugshot.” She glances up at Jess. “Did you find any other pictures of him? Ones where he looks less like the serial killer no one thought was nice before they discovered the bodies in his basement?”
Jess arches a judgmental brow. “No, Evie. I didn’t see a need to stalk the web for more pics of Natalie’s creepy ex.” She shrugs. “And I don’t get the hot thing, either. He’s not even close to my type. Way too many muscles. I like my men like I like my meat—lean and nerdy.”
I chew the inside of my cheek, some part of me acknowledging that I’d find her comment amusing if I weren’t currently staring into the soulless gaze of a man who pushed Nat down a flight of stairs while she was pregnant. “Even if she hadn’t been pregnant, she’s half his size. Maybe less,” I mutter, fighting the urge to rip the image in half.
But destroying it won’t hurt this guy and I may need the picture down the line if, God forbid, we spot him sniffing around the restaurant or Natalie’s place and need to go to the authorities.
Evie covers my hand with hers. “I know. He’s vile and repulsive, but don’t get any ideas, okay? If you see him, call the police. That’s it. Don’t try to confront him, Cam. The best thing you can do for Nat and Crissy is stay in one piece.”
I glance at the height marks on the wall behind the man in the mugshot. “He’s shorter than I am. By a few inches.”
“But jacked as hell,” Harlow says. “You’re buff, dude, but you don’t look like you wrestle rabid hippos for fun on the weekends. This guy does. And he has a history of physical violence and spent time in prison, defending himself from other violent people. You’ve been in what? One fistfight in tenth grade? Just stay away from him. Promise us. Right now. Or I’m going to tie you to your bed with the ropes Derrick bought me last weekend for your own safety.”
Evie sits up straighter, pulling her hand from mine. “What? You and Derrick are already playing around with ropes? What’s wrong with you two?”
Harlow bobs a shoulder. “Nothing. We just like it kinky. And the ropes are specially designed not to give you rope burn, so they’d be perfect for restraining Cam until he calms down and purges the murderous urges from his system.”