Blacklisted (Loveless, Texas #3) - Jay Crownover Page 0,88
to concentrate enough to finish what I started. The files would be there in the morning when my mind wasn’t spinning and my heart rate had returned to normal.
“Case. Thank you for answering my call. That was ridiculous. I’m really sorry for wasting your time.” On the way back to my office I passed the night guard and gave him a polite nod of acknowledgment. He asked if everything was all right, and I assured him everything was business as usual. “I’m gonna call it a night and head home. Go back to bed and apologize to Aspen for me as well. I’m sure my call woke her, too.”
I was embarrassed, as much as I was relieved.
Case grunted again. “You call. I don’t care what time it is, or what the reason is. You call and I will answer.” He chuckled. “And Aspen is used to the phone ringing in the middle of the night. I’m the sheriff. I get called out for everything from loose livestock to shots fired, all hours of the day. And she’s an attorney. Her clients call whenever they need her as well. If we’re available for strangers, you damn well better believe we’re available for family.”
His words sent warm fuzzies flying through my stomach and made my heart feel feather-light.
“I’m still getting used to having people in my life I can rely on. I have to say, it’s a very nice feeling.” I’d gotten off to a rocky start with the Lawtons, but now, I honestly didn’t know what I would do without them.
“You sure you feel comfortable going home alone? I can send a deputy out to Ivy to escort you—or if you want to wait, I can drive up there and follow you home.” Case was really good at the big-brother thing. Even though I was new at being a sister, I could tell it was a role he was born to play.
“I’ll be fine. As I said, one of Shot’s club members follows me to and from work every day. Regardless of what time I leave or come in, someone is there.” But it would’ve been nice if Shot was the one waiting when I walked out the door. Seeing him instantly made me feel better and made all the scary things I was facing feel less threatening.
“Okay. Well, send a text when you get back to Loveless. I won’t be able to go back to sleep otherwise.” I promised to send a text and told him good night.
By the time I hung up I was back in my office and ready to be done. I was suddenly tired on top of being slightly annoyed I still hadn’t heard from Shot.
I shut my office down, making sure to leave myself notes for review tomorrow, and threw out my wasted coffee. I probably should’ve reheated it and drunk it on the way home, since my eyes felt heavy and I couldn’t stop yawning, but then I’d be wired and awake when all I wanted to do was sleep as soon as my head hit the pillow.
Making sure, I had my keys with the mace canister attached in one hand, and my phone in the other, I let myself out of the building and out into the parking lot. I faltered a step when I didn’t immediately see a motorcycle parked near my car. I frowned into the darkness, steps quickening as I hurried to where I was parked. The tiny hairs on the back of my neck lifted, and for the first time in a while, I felt alone and vulnerable.
I was practically running when I got to my car. I could hear how harsh my breathing was, how loud my racing heart sounded as it thundered between my ears. I wished I’d taken Case up on his offer to come and follow me home, or at least that I’d stayed on the line with him until I was safely inside my car with the doors locked. I couldn’t believe that Shot not only was unreachable, but he’d left me unprotected without any warning. I had no idea what was going on with him right now, but I was starting to worry about him as much as I was worrying about my own well-being.
Panting. Sweating. Shivering. And I clumsily tripped over myself as I struggled to yank open the car door, so I didn’t notice the person watching me fall apart with considering and concerned eyes.
“Pres.”
I screamed so loud it hurt my