“Shit. Give me two minutes, and I’ll call you back.” Slade hangs up. He knows how deep I’m in with Cam already. All he did was chuckle through the phone and wish me good luck.
I take my gun out, slowly peek inside her house, and what I see stops me in my motherfucking tracks. Someone has spray-painted ‘SLUT’ on her wall in bright red. I make my way around the whole house, clearing it before Slade gets a chance to call me back. I really wish I could shield Cam from this. I step outside her house as my phone rings.
“Hello,” I answer without even bothering to check to see who’s calling me.
“Hey, a man by the name of Mac will be there. He’s the sheriff of the county where you are. I already warned him you cleared the place, and you didn’t leave prints anywhere. He’ll be there in about five minutes. If you need Drake, Bridger, or me in Alabama, don’t hesitate to call,” Slade says through the phone.
“I appreciate it. I’ll keep you posted. Thanks again, Slade,” I respond, and we hang up. Flashing lights come barreling down the road faster than I expected. I guess Beaumont doesn’t screw around. When the sheriff gets out of his car, I can see his name coincides with him. He’s every bit of two-hundred and fifty pounds and solid like a Mack truck.
“Sheriff Mac. Slade called and said we have a bit of trouble, which is weird in this part of town.” He extends his hand to me.
“Easton Reid. I pulled up to her house like this. Cam’s not home yet, but she will be soon.”
“Let me take a look around, and then I’ll see if we can get a few boys to come and take some prints.” He tips his hat, excusing himself. I stay back. I don’t want Cam inside her house, not if I can help it.
Shit, I’ll just buy everything new that she needs to shield her from this mess. Not that she’d let me. When Cam’s car was fixed, I went ahead and had it serviced. She was not impressed. That led to our first semi-argument. I hate that she was upset, but I felt the need to make sure it was safe for her to ride in. It was either that or buy her a brand-new car. She shut up after I told her that.
As soon as I see Cam’s car turn the corner, I brace myself. I don’t know what to expect. She’s so strong, but this could be the one thing that could wreck her. I see the look of panic on her face as she parks in the driveway behind my truck. After making my way to her, I help Cam out of the car.
“What the hell?” she says above a whisper.
My hands find her cheeks, not letting her go as I tell her the truth. “Someone broke in and trashed the place. I’m not going to lie to you and tell you it’s not bad. It’s probably worse than you think.”
Tears are streaming down her cheeks. “Who would do something like this? First, my tire, and now this? I stay to myself, Easton. Hell, I don’t even have girlfriends, and you’re the only man I’ve been with in any romantic capacity,” she mumbles.
“I’m not sure, and it guts me that I couldn’t figure it out right away. We’ll have to wait and see what the sheriff has to say and go from there, but Cam?”
“Ugh, something tells me it’ll be just like my car. A big fat zero in any news whatsoever.” Cam reported it to the hotel. A shit ton of good that did. I think I did more than they even attempted.
“We’ll get through this together, I promise. There is something else. You can’t stay here tonight, probably not for a few nights.” I see Cam’s shoulders deflate after that. It’s as if she’s given up her fight. That’s okay, though; I’ll fight enough for the both of us.
“I’ll have to get a hotel room. Where’s the irony in that?” She laughs through her tears.
“Nah, you’re staying with me. I’m not taking no for an answer. After this week, I’ll be in my house, and if you need a place to stay, you’ll be there. Okay, baby?”
“God, Easton. I don’t want to be a burden on you. I’ll be fine. Maybe I can just clean up my place and sleep here,” she rushes out.
“Cameron, even if we could clean it all out in one day, paint, and take care of everything, I’d never let you stay in a place that’s been broken into. I need you to stay with me. Sleep in the bedroom, and I’ll take the couch or the spare room. You’re coming with me, baby, even if I have to cart you off.”