I wince, not wanting to lie outright, so I hedge around the truth. “I have my suspicions but no hard evidence, so I’m not willing to point my finger until my brothers have looked into it,” I admit, looking him in the eye.
“So what’s going to happen now?” he asks, appearing genuinely concerned.
“I’m not sure. I’ll stay at my dad’s for a while so I’m not alone, but I’ll need to get my place cleaned up, at the very least. I need clothes and stuff.” I sigh and scrub my hands down my face. “I’m a mess.”
“Hey, now, cut yourself some slack. It’s a fucked-up situation and you’re doing the best you can,” he scolds lightly.
“Yes, Dad,” I retort, regretting it instantly when a flash of pain crosses his face briefly before he masks it.
“Pain in my ass. Look, I know you don’t know me all that well, but if you ever need my help, all you have to do is call me,” he offers, making me swallow down the lump in my throat.
“Thank you,” I whisper.
“Now get back to work. I don’t pay you to slack off,” he says with a wink before turning and heading back to his office.
By the time the end of my shift rolls around, I’m ready for a bath and bed. I’ve had to field calls from all my brothers, including Alex and Kayden, which means someone opened their big mouth and spilled the beans.
I’ve also noticed Derek stopped by my bay countless times. As sweet as it is that everyone cares, it’s stifling. If one more person asks me if I’m all right, I might scream.
I leave after saying my goodbyes and prepare myself for the worried faces of my family. When my phone rings again for the millionth time, I check the screen and groan when I see it’s Tate once more but, not wanting him to worry, I pull over and answer.
“Tate,” I greet, hoping I managed to keep the frustration out of my voice.
“Hey, Reign, the tech guys say it’s okay for you to collect some things from your place. I’m out front if you want to come over now and I’ll give you a hand.” He hangs up before I say anything else, but it doesn’t matter. I need stuff if I’m going to be staying at my dad’s. There are only so many times I can wash out the same pair of panties, after all.
I toss the phone on the passenger seat and do a U-turn, heading home. Home, right. Is it even that anymore? It was supposed to be my safe haven, something that was just mine, and now this asshole has shit all over it.
I grip the steering wheel harder than necessary. I hate feeling so utterly useless.
Pulling up outside fifteen minutes later, I see Tate leaning against his truck, waiting for me as he fiddles with his cellphone. Wearing a plain black T-shirt and black jeans, he looks as cool as a cucumber, whereas I’m a frazzled, hot and sweaty mess.
“Hey, Tate,” I call out, giving him a quick hug after I climb out of my car and walk over to him.
“Hey, Raindrop, you ready?”
I nod. I’m as ready as I’ll ever be.
“If you notice anything missing, let me know, okay?” he tells me, slipping back into cop mode.
“Are you working this case?” I ask with a frown. It’s not that it’s out of his jurisdiction, but it’s not exactly local for him either. Plus, with me being his sister, it’s a bit of a conflict of interest.
“No, I just offered to be here with you. I figured you’d feel more comfortable with me than a stranger.”
I shrug. I don’t think it’s going to matter who’s with me. The thought of going in there at all makes me feel sick. I’m completely exhausted. I just want to get my stuff and leave so I can go back to my dad’s and fall apart.
The house is a disaster when I enter, my things tossed around the room like a tornado ripped through it. I don’t focus on it. I can’t, not without wanting to break down and cry.
I move on autopilot through the sitting room, wincing at the sound of broken glass under my feet from my shattered coffee table. My favorite purple blanket is torn in two on the floor beside a slashed sofa and an overturned chair.
Taking a deep breath, I make my way to the bedroom, trying to picture the