empty ring finger explaining why her roommate was nervously smoothing her hair and licking her lips.
The label on his front pocket read Morris Heating and A/C. Ellery hadn’t even realized the air conditioner was malfunctioning. The air was comfortable inside, despite the ninety-six-degree August heat, so perhaps he’d already fixed the issue. Their landlord was responsible for all repairs and maintenance, so Ellery couldn’t imagine what the problem might be. Unless Kara was making something up to prolong his stay… not unimaginable considering she’d just giggled at whatever this man had muttered under his breath. And Kara didn’t giggle. Not ever.
The man stood up as she approached, towering over both of them. His hand jutted forward.
“Hello, Ellery. I’m Jake Shaeffer with E-Force Security.”
She dropped her gaze to his pocket. “Were your regular uniforms in the wash?”
He laughed, his scowl transforming to a breathtaking grin. At least it was breathtaking for Kara, who was stifling a swoon behind her hand. “No, ma’am. I wore this because we don’t want to alert anyone who might be watching your house. We have reason to believe your lives might be in danger.”
Ellery didn’t know what was going on, but she was certain this Jake guy had made some kind of mistake. She took a chair beside Kara.
“You must be confused,” Ellery said. “There’s no reason anyone would target either one of us. We’re just poor students.”
“They aren’t targeting us,” Kara said. “Just you. I’m the innocent roommate. But I was explaining to Jake that I’m the most likely to be killed. That’s what happens in all the books and movies. The best friend dies, but the main target is saved.”
“Makes sense to me,” Ellery agreed, loving her roommate’s sense of humor. She could laugh at anything. “You can’t let the lead character get killed or the plot is ruined.”
“Exactly!”
“Kara, you aren’t going to die.” Jake’s glare came back with a vengeance as he aimed it at Ellery’s blushing roommate and lowered his large frame back to his chair with unexpected grace. “And neither is Ellery. Not on my watch.” As if to emphasize his declaration, his muscles rippled under the khaki uniform, stretching the stitching to its limits.
His serious tone was beginning to worry Ellery. Maybe someone really did want her dead. Maybe some crazy person who’d been caught behind her when she was driving under the speed limit. Road rage was a real thing. But how would this man’s security company know about it? Or did he even work for a security company? He’d claimed he did, but he hadn’t provided any proof. And his uniform said otherwise…
“Uh…” Ellery cleared her throat, not wanting to offend this guy who looked like he could snap her in half with his bare hands. “Do you happen to have any ID?”
“Sure.” He fished his wallet out of his pants, sporting an amused smirk. The license he handed her had an official Texas seal and read Private Security Registration.
“He’s the real deal, Ellery,” said Kara. “He already swept the whole house for bugs.”
“I’m afraid you won’t be able to attend the Limitless fundraiser tonight.” Sympathy softened Jake’s ice blue eyes, but it didn’t lessen the shock.
“Who told you about that?”
“My company was employed by Logan West. We’ve had a detail keeping watch over you round the clock.”
“So Logan’s been spying on me, huh?” Ellery fumed. “And now he thinks he’s found a way to keep me from modeling at the Limitless banquet. Well, you can go back and tell Logan it didn’t work. I’m doing the fundraiser, and that’s that!”
Jake pulled at the collar of his too-tight uniform. “No, ma’am. That’s not what’s happening, I promise. This threat is very real. I can’t give you all the details until I drive both of you over to Logan’s house.”
“And what happens if I refuse to go?” Ellery folded her arms.
“Then I suppose the FBI will come get you.”
“The FBI?” she squeaked. This made his story sound way too real. And way too scary.
“Yes, ma’am. They’re waiting for us at Mr. West’s residence. They only sent me to fetch you because we’re trying to keep everything on the down-low. The perp doesn’t know we’re onto him yet.”
“Okay.” Ellery’s heart pounded in her ears. Was it true? Or were they about to get in the car with some crazy lunatic posing as Logan’s security? Or could it all be some elaborate plan of Logan’s, designed to keep her from working the Limitless fundraiser? She pulled out her phone, intending to