“Most of the incidents have happened in or around the cottage, so we’re going to stay away for a couple of days,” I explained. “I have to work on Monday though, so I’m hoping you might keep Kennedy company then.”

The tension in Blair’s shoulders eased. “Of course.” He sounded disgruntled that I’d felt the need to ask.

She leaned over and kissed his cheek. “Sorry this stuff keeps happening. Hopefully it’ll be over soon, and you’ll be able to return to your life.”

Blair’s smile was soft and only for her. I felt like an intruder witnessing it. “Being here can’t come close to repaying everything you’ve done for me. I’m just glad I can finally do something for you.”

“You’ve done more for me than you think,” she whispered back.

I turned to Nate. “Are we all good to go?”

He nodded. “Check in with me tomorrow. I’ll be in touch if we have any news.”

“Thanks.”

We said our goodbyes to Nate, and Blair and Tyler gave us a ride back to Grace’s cottage where we picked up Kennedy’s car. Before we left, I performed a check to make sure the brakes and steering were in working order.

“Everything seems fine,” I announced.

“I want a message as soon as you’re safely there,” Blair said.

“No problem,” Kennedy replied.

As we pulled away from the curb, Kennedy pumped the brakes a couple of times to make sure they were functioning correctly before speeding up. She seemed to remember the directions to my place without any assistance, which pleased me more than it should. We didn’t have any incidents on the way over, but when she pulled up the drive, it took me only seconds to notice something was amiss. The front door, which I’d locked when I’d left in the morning, sat ajar.

“Stay here,” I said. “Something is wrong.”

I debated calling Nate, but I wanted to be sure it was worth dragging him away from his office, so I opened the car door as softly as possible and eased out. I grabbed a metal rake from the lawn and wielded it like a bat as I headed toward the entrance. I paused when I heard movement behind me and glanced back to see that Kennedy had followed with a cannister of pepper spray clasped in her hand. I gave her a look, and she raised her chin, indicating she had no intention of backing down.

Fine.

I tiptoed through the small foyer, the rake poised above my shoulder, and into the living room.

My feet stopped so suddenly I nearly tripped.

Holy shit.

The place had been trashed. The glass coffee table had been smashed, and the sofa had been torn open, with stuffing strewn everywhere. Behind that, the dining table was upended.