Kickstart My Heart (Burgers and Brew Crue #1) - Lacey Black Page 0,84

room.

I head into my closet in my bedroom and grab one of the two duffel bags I had taken in the move. Just as I’m pulling it out of the closet, I hear what sounds like the front door opening. My spine straightens, and it’s suddenly hard to pull oxygen in my lungs. A floorboard creaks, and I realize instantly my mistake. I didn’t lock the door behind us. In my hurry to get bags packed and go to Walker’s, I completely forgot to lock the door.

Leaving the bag on my bed, I glance around for something—anything—that can be used as a weapon. I find a hair dryer on top of a box and grab it, praying it’s heavy enough to at least distract whoever is in our apartment.

Creeping into the hallway, I spy Lizzie piling toys on her bed, completely oblivious to the intruder. I walk past the door, hair dryer raised behind my head. The moment I move to peek into the living room, hands grab at my shoulders, halting my movements. I try to swing, but he’s too strong and easily stops my forward motion.

“Jesus.”

I know that voice.

Glancing up, my eyes connect with Jameson’s chocolate brown eyes. “Jameson?”

“Who did you think it was? And why do you have a blow-dryer?”

“I…” I stammer, unable to slow my racing heart. “I thought someone broke in.”

“You left the door open, Mal. Walker would shit a brick, literally, if he was the one who showed up here.” He takes the dryer from my shaking hands. “You were really going to whack me with this?”

“You…or whoever was in my apartment.”

He tosses the dryer onto the couch and pulls me into his arms. The hug feels…different. It’s not the one I’m used to, but I appreciate it nonetheless. “You’re all right, Wonder Woman. Stupid, but all right.”

I gape up at him and find him smiling. “I’m not stupid.”

“You were coming at an intruder with a blow-dryer, Mal,” he argues, as he laughs.

“Well, you shouldn’t have broken into my apartment,” I defend, pushing off his hard chest.

“First off, I was following you to Walker’s place,” he says, crossing his arms over his chest.

“That’s not creepy much,” I mumble, causing him to smirk.

“You took a detour, so I followed. My friend is a freaking basket case that he can’t be with you right now, so I told him I’d hang back and make sure you got to his place okay.”

“I told him I’d text.”

He just smiles. “And he was still worried.”

Sighing, I lean against the wall and close my eyes. “Thank you. I didn’t realize I left the door open.”

He steps forward and places a gentle hand on my forearm. “We don’t want to scare you, Mal, but you’re going to have to be extra vigilant until you figure out why the douche is here and what he wants.”

Unable to formulate words, I nod.

“Day!” Lizzie exclaims, as she comes out of her room, her arms loaded with toys.

The moment Jameson sees my daughter, he smiles and drops to his knees. “Lizzie,” he greets.

Just as she steps up to him, she shoves everything in her tiny arms against his chest. “Day, you gots my toys, otay?” she says, before turning back around and disappearing into her room.

I can’t help but giggle. There is this giant man in my apartment, tattoos covering his arms, and he’s holding every doll and Barbie my daughter owns. “I’ll go get the bag. Apparently, the dolls are coming with.”

Jameson stands up. “Go pack your bags, Mallory, and I’ll help Lizzie. If we don’t get you to his place soon, he’s going to eventually come looking for you.”

With a smile on my lips, I go back to my bedroom and retrieve the other duffel bag to pack my things. I don’t know how long we’ll be at Walker’s place, but I know I’ll feel safer while I’m there.

***

It’s been a week with no sign of Devon.

He hasn’t shown up at Lizzie’s school, nor at the restaurant. Part of me wishes he’d just come here so I know what he wants. Is he looking to pick right back up again where we left off before he went to prison? Not happening with me, but he is Lizzie’s father. I don’t think I could keep her from him without a big legal battle.

The other part of me is hoping he just went back home to Indiana. Lizzie is thriving in school and loves spending time with Walker and his friends. The change in her,