Addie worried her bottom lip between her teeth. “He touched my hair.” She shivered against me as she said the words. “Told me he would be back and not to let anyone touch what was his.”
My vision went hazy as I fought to keep my grip on Addie loose. The urge to rip that man limb from limb was almost more than I could take.
Hayes’ gaze flicked to me, and I instantly read just how bad he thought this was. “If he approaches you again, I want you to call me immediately. No sitting on it for days or weeks.”
Addie flushed, and anger at my brother flared. “Hayes, if you don’t watch your tone, I’m going to kick you out of my house.”
Hayes’ gaze flew to me. “This is m
y house. You know that, right?”
“I don’t give a damn. You’re acting like an ass.” I had a burning urge to give my brother a nice uppercut to the ribs.
He sighed. “That kind of fixation isn’t the sign of someone who’s altogether stable. I just want Addie to be careful.”
“Then go talk to Walter Crichet. Don’t scold Addie.”
“I’m going to talk to all of them,” Hayes assured me. “And I’ve got officers canvassing your neighborhood. Hopefully, someone saw something.”
I’d hope for a miracle, but all the people on our list of suspects had gotten away with too much for too long. I doubted they’d make it easy now.
23
ADDIE
Everything hurt. My side. My back. My head. My face. It all throbbed as if I could feel my heartbeat throughout my entire body.
Warm hands closed around my shoulders. “Everything’s locked up tight. Let’s get you to bed.”
The backs of my eyes burned, but I refused to let the tears fall. I’d shed far too many tonight. I felt as if I were on a razor’s edge, just a breath away from tipping over and losing it completely.
“Addie?” Beckett’s deep voice skated over my skin.
“Yes. We should get some sleep.” I started for the stairs, my legs feeling heavy with the weight of the day. As I reached the landing, I struggled to make myself go any farther.
Beckett gently took my shoulders again, this time turning me towards him. “Talk to me.”
“I don’t want to be alone.” The words escaped without my permission or even conscious thought. The truth hit my ears at the same time it hit Beckett’s.
He pulled me into his arms, and I let myself burrow into his chest. “You don’t have to be. How about a sleepover on the couches up here?”
The landing had a little library space of sorts. Built-in bookcases lined the walls, and a deep sectional sofa made the perfect spot to curl up with a book.
“No, I’ll be fine. I don’t even know why I said that.”
“Because you felt it.” Beckett’s hand stroked up and down the ridges of my spine. “Let me be there for you. I want to.”
“You’ve already done too much.”
“This is for me, too. I’ll sleep better knowing you’re close and safe.”
I stood there for a moment, soaking up Beckett’s warmth and strength. “Okay.” I forced myself to push away. “I’m going to brush my teeth and put on my pajamas.”
“All right. Remember, no water on your cheek.”
“I remember.”
I hurried into my bedroom, making quick work of brushing my teeth. As I pulled on my cozy flannel pajamas, my heart rate picked up, and my palms dampened. Something about the idea of sleeping in the same room as Beckett felt incredibly intimate. The only person I’d ever shared a room with was Everly.