My stomach sank, and I barely registered my hands slipping the phone back into my purse. It was the second threat, two days in a row. Reality started to wash over me, knowing the home I’d built and life I’d pieced together was no longer safe.

They were back, and I couldn’t do anything about it.

“You’re staying at my rental,” Beck said firmly.

“No-” I started.

“Don’t argue with me, Lenny,” he said, cutting me off.

I’d never heard his voice turn so serious. I met his gaze and saw his worry.

“No one calls me Lenny,” I answered in a low tone, holding his stare.

It was the only thing I could think to say. Realistically, trying to get him in and out of my apartment without Mal seeing would be near impossible. The couch was much smaller than the one at his rental, and all the work we’d begun was with him.

It’s the logical choice. 

I knew earlier, he’d only been obliging my hesitancy by being kind, but now, the threat seemed far too real, and his tone suggested there was not room for argument.

Beck knew better than anyone how quickly these threats could turn to reality. I had to trust him, to let someone in for once, to allow them to help.

“Birdie and Alonzo are coming too then,” I said stubbornly.

If I’m abandoning my apartment, I’m doing it on my terms. 

“I’m pretty sure my rental agreement said no pets allowed in the house,” Beck noted.

“You actually read over that thing?” I asked, raising a brow.

I’d stayed in plenty of rental houses for trips, but never once did I actually read what I agreed to when I checked those tiny boxes.

“Read and memorized,” he said without a second thought.

“Why am I not surprised?” I said, shaking my head with a soft laugh.

12. Stone

12

STONE

“Keys,” I said, holding out my hand.

We’d taken an unexpected detour back to Len’s apartment.

I tried not to show how much the call had shaken me. A trained FBI agent should have a better handle on his emotions, be able to put aside how he feels and act rationally in the face of a threat. Instead, my mind was racing, and I hadn’t stopped replaying the call.

Len was packing to stay with me until I was able to say with certainty her apartment was safe again. I was not taking no for an answer.

Fine. Maybe I would have, because I wasn’t going to kidnap her and keep her hostage.