Keeping You Away - Kennedy Fox Page 0,74

my blinds and curtains, then lock the doors, hoping they leave.

This is insane. They saw me leave the grocery store with bags in my hands. I’m alone, but it’s not good enough for them. I’m sure they’re hoping to catch me in the act to provide Robert the proof that doesn’t exist. Whoever they are, they looked like professionals, but I’m not sure what they’re after.

Gemma: You crossed a line. Call off your private investigators!

Robert: I have no idea what you’re talking about. What private investigators?

Gemma: The ones you hired to follow me.

Robert: Why would I hire people to follow you? You aren’t making any sense.

I swallow hard, unsure if he’s being honest or not. Robert isn’t a liar, but he’s a pro at getting what he wants. If this is a scare tactic so I’ll agree to move in with him, I’m going to unleash my wrath. Perhaps it’s a stretch to think that’s why they’re following me, but there’s literally no other reason. Maybe he hopes I’ll be too nervous to live alone, and it’ll push me to move up the wedding date.

If that’s the case, I’ll cancel the whole thing, including our relationship.

Panic rushes through me as I think about these men being outside my house. With my dad being away, I can’t call him for help, but I wouldn’t want to worry him either. I text Everleigh and Katie, but neither of them responds as I put away the rest of the things I bought at the store. Another twenty minutes go by when I decide to take another look outside. The SUV’s finally gone.

I release a deep breath, relief flooding through me, but it doesn’t stop the anxiety from taking over. My heart races, and I double-check to make sure all my windows and doors are locked. I can’t settle down, and after no one returns my texts or calls, I break down and reach out to Tyler.

Gemma: I’m sorry to bother you, but I’m kinda freaking out. Would you mind coming over? Someone followed me tonight, and I’m scared.

His response comes immediately.

Tyler: Stay in your house. I’ll be there in less than ten minutes.

Gemma: Thank you.

I pace around the house while I wait, and when there’s a knock on the door, I jump. I’m worked up more than I realized.

“Gemma, it’s Tyler,” he calls out with another knock.

I unlock the deadbolt and turn the knob, then release a sigh as soon as I see him.

“Hey,” he says rushed, pushing me back into the house and locking the door. He turns around, and his eyes roam down my body. “Are you okay?”

I nod, feeling my insides tremble. “Yes, just weirded out.”

“Tell me what happened,” he says. We walk the few feet into the kitchen while I explain everything from noticing the SUV at work to being followed home. Then I tell him how I saw two men get out and walk around the yard.

“Fuck,” he curses under his breath, brushing a hand through his hair.

“It’s probably nothing. I’m fine, just worked up.”

My entire body is cold, and I can’t seem to stop shivering. I don’t admit that I think Robert’s behind it because he’ll judge me even more, and I can’t deal with Tyler pitying me.

He studies me briefly before closing the gap between us, then wraps his arms around me. “You’re shaking. You aren’t fine.”

I give in to the part of me that wants to feel his touch again and relax against his chest. He tenses, but as soon as I rest my head on his chest, he softens.

“Gemma.”

Leaning back, our gazes lock, and there’s something behind the fire in his eyes. Tyler’s jaw locks as he stares intently at me. He lowers his hands and slides his tongue across his lower lip.

“Yeah?”

“Why’d you ask me to come tonight?”

I blink hard, a thousand thoughts fluttering through my head. “I told you why. Someone followed—”

“Where’s your fiancé?” he interrupts, harshly.

“He’s in a meeting with a client.”

“Did you tell him what happened?”

I swallow hard, shaking my head. “I called a couple of times, and after they went to voicemail, he texted and asked if I was okay.”

“Why didn’t you explain what was going on?”

I lower my eyes, hesitant to spill the truth, but it comes out anyway. “Because I knew he wouldn’t come. He told me to go to his house, and he’d meet me there in a couple of hours.”

The intensity in Tyler’s eyes have butterflies swarming in my stomach, and I hate that he