Wearing just his jeans, torso bare, he had his arm stretched out, gun in hand.
“I know you’re there,” he called harshly. “Show your fucking face.”
“Who is it?” she asked.
He glanced at her, frowned. “I dunno. Get back inside, shut the door.”
“Is it Gary?”
“I really fucking hope so.” He paused. “Get in, now,Tammy.”
She did as she was told, heart pounding. Had Gary found them? Was he lurking in the area, watching, spying, and waiting to pounce?
With her knees pulled up, arms wrapped around them, she sat on the sofa and stared at the closed door. The thought of hearing a gunshot was terrifying. What if Gary hurt Jayden? What if Jayden dragged Gary in here and shot him in front of her?
She began to rock the way she had in her hiding place in the basement. A series of horrible images flashed through her mind. All the petrifying, painful, sick things that could happen.
Deep in her heart, she knew Jayden could take care of himself, but that didn’t stop her from fearing for him.
Another bang. Metallic, at the back of the house.
Footsteps, loud and fast.
“Hey, you. Stop or I’ll fucking shoot.” Jayden’s voice.
She huddled closer into herself. Should she get Zak?
Silence.
She squeezed her eyes closed for a second and then resumed staring at the door.
Suddenly, it opened. She jumped, and a small gasp caught in her throat.
A tall, broad figure cast in darkness, gun pointed downward in one hand, box under the other arm.
“Jayden?”
“It’s me.” He stepped in and shut the door. “It’s okay.”
“What? I mean…” She gulped. “Who was it?”
“I dunno. Some prick hanging around my bike. He took off when I appeared.”
“Was it Gary?”
“Nah. Just an opportunist looking to see if I’d left my keys in the Harley.” He put the box and his gun on the top shelf of thebookcase.
“Where … where did he go?” She rocked forward and then back, her throat tight. How could he know it wasn’t Gary? It was so dark out there. A tremble went up her spine.
“Hey, it’s okay.” He bolted the door and then sat at her side. “Tammy. Whoever it was is gone, okay? He took off over the back, up to the road. I followed, but he’d disappeared. Probably a kid, looking for trouble.”
“But—”
“Shh.” He wrapped his arm around her shoulders and pulled her close.
She stayed curled up in a ball, her limbs stiff and her back aching.
“Tammy. I’m here. No one is going to hurt you or Zak, I promise.”