Page 21 of Cipher

My house appeared beyond the next rise, built low against the hillside in dark stone, cedar, and glass designed to turn reflective when the exterior security system engaged. The property sat outside the main compound, but inside land the Black Crowns controlled, far enough away to give me privacy and close enough that armed brothers could reach the front door in minutes. No public road crossed the ridge, no neighboring house overlooked the grounds, and anyone approaching through the canyon passed enough hidden cameras to build a complete record before reaching the gate.

Bex leaned toward the windshield as I parked beneath the covered drive. “This is where you live?”

“Yeah.”

“It’s beautiful.” Surprise softened her voice as she took in the broad porch, the oak shading one end of the house, and the glass reflecting the morning sun. “I expected something more…”

“Thought I’d live in a bunker, didn’t you?”

Her blush deepened. “It’s not like I was expecting a doomsday prepper. But maybe a little more like military barracks.”

“Nope.” I pushed open my door, suppressing a grin. “The doomsday shit is only in the basement.”

Her laugh followed me out of the SUV. I opened her door, kept one hand around her waist until both feet touched the ground, then went to the rear hatch while she turned slowly to study the property. The two suitcases and sealed box I’d packed from her old house sat behind the bags she had chosen, and Bex’s gaze rested on them before shifting to me with curiosity she’d apparently been saving since she first spotted them.

“You packed more of my stuff?”

“You forgot some things,” I grunted as I lifted both suitcases and hooked one duffel over my shoulder, leaving only the tote for her.

“I packed a lot of my clothes and all of my toiletries.”

“Exactly.”

Her mouth opened, then closed as she considered the argument and realized it wasn’t going to improve with effort. She silently followed me through the front door, pausing long enough for the security system to recognize her face and new phone before the locks engaged behind us.

I crossed the foyer and climbed up the stairs, carrying the bags down the upper hall and into my bedroom. The room was functional with a large bed, dark furniture, secure windows, attached bath, and nothing personal beyond the dog tags I removed before sleeping.

I set the bags beside the closet and turned to find her looking back toward the hall. “This isn’t the guest room.”

“I know.”

“Then why are my bags in here?”

“Because you’re staying with me.” I stepped close enough to watch her breath hitch, then wrapped one hand around her nape and let my thumb settle below her ear. “You sleep in my bed, Bex.”

“Oh.”

I tightened my hand around her nape and watched desire darken her eyes, already calculating how long before my control slipped. “The guest room is for people who leave, and you’re not going anywhere.”

8

BEX

For a man who didn’t talk a lot, Cipher had a way with words. And he knew exactly how his bold claim impacted me, judging by the twitch of his lips.

“I guess you’re right for now at least.” I forced myself not to lean into his touch. “I can’t go anywhere until we figure out who’s behind this whole mess, and it seems like they’re very good at hiding their tracks.”

His hand tightened on my nape before he dropped his arm. “I’m better.”

I stood in the middle of his bedroom and stared at the empty doorway as he strode away. Letting out a slow breath, I moved toward the closet to start unpacking so I wouldn’t obsess about the big bed we'd apparently be sharing tonight.

Unzipping the first bag he’d packed, I shook my head with a soft laugh when I saw my favorite throw blanket on top. I was so glad he’d thought to bring it with me and equally as impressed while I made my way through the rest of the stuff he’d packed for me.

When my clothes were hanging in his closet, and my toiletries were mixed in with his in the en suite bathroom, I wandered downstairs. Near the sofa in the living room, my class materials and the notebook I’d been using for victim-advocacy coursework were stacked in a neat pile. Then I found my favorite seasonal coffee in the cabinet. The fridge was stocked with the sparkling water I liked. And the pantry had the same granola bars I kept in my desk at work for a quick snack when I needed one.

That box he’d packed had been filled with things I’d forgotten in my rush but would make my time at Cipher’s house more comfortable. I stood in the middle of his kitchen, surrounded by proof that Cipher had been paying far closer attention than I’d realized.

I followed the low sound of typing down a short hallway and found Cipher in a study off the living room. The walls were lined with bookshelves, and he was seated in a leather club chair, typing on a laptop on the desk in front of him.