Page 89 of The Rebel Billionaire

I wasn't going to do anything stupid, but it sounded like people were on their way and I was wearing a nightshirt with a cartoon moose on the front. I neededclothes.

"Yeah, as long as the cameras are recording it, I'll stay put and wait for the black and whites. Yeah. Yeah. You have a clear shot of his face? Yeah. Callmeback."

"What's going on?" Iasked.

"I told you to stay there," Lucasaccused.

"No, you pointed at me. And I'm not going anywhere, I'm just getting dressed. What'sgoingon?"

"Someone is trying to force open your door. They don't know we have them on camera, and he's still there. The police are on their way. Brennan and a black and white. He'll try to keep itquiet."

"Was that Brennan on thephone?"

"No, Cooper. He called Brennan before Icalledhim."

"What are you doing?" I asked, watching him tie the laces of his boots and strap his gun into a sideholster.

"Waiting here with you. You're not in danger. We're better off letting the police arrest this guy than for me to go charging over there. The longer he tries to break and enter while he's on film, the betterforus."

"Can I look out thewindow?"

Lucas sighed. "Can I talk you outofit?"

"I don'tthinkso."

"Fine, follow me. Don't turn on anylights."

I followed Lucas through the dark house to the living room. Two floor-to-ceiling windows on either side of the fireplace faced my house. I pressed my face to the glass, but the night was dark and I could barely see anything. A shadowy figure moved on my porch. It looked like they were prying at the door with acrowbar.

Whatthehell?

That wasn't exactly subtle. It was like he didn't care about being caught. Or he was sure no one was home. But I thought Lucas and Brennan said Hayward knew I hadsecurity.

"I can't see anything," Iwhispered.

"I know. Try this." Lucas pulled me back from the window, leading me back into the hall before passing me his tablet, the view from the security camerasalreadyup.

Evers had installed high-definition night vision cameras. I already knew they looked clear and crisp in daylight. I was shocked how much detail I could see atnight.

"I don't think that's Hayward," I said after aminute.

"I'm sure it's not. He wouldn't put himself on the hook for breaking and entering. It's probably someone hehired."

Two cars swung into the driveway out of nowhere. Doors slammed and I heard shouts. A figure vaulted onto the porch and tackled the intruder, startling her into a long, high-pitchedscream.

Wait.Her?That was a woman'sscream.

Awoman?

What thehellwasgoingon?

Lucas shot for the door, me on hisheels.

"Stay here," heordered.

"No way," I said. The intruder was down, contained by the police. I'd seen it myself. And I wanted to know whoshewas.

"Goddamnit. Then staybehindme."