Page 1 of Flawless

Chapter One

Rylee

When my good friend, Eden, was abducted by a madman, all my deepest, darkest childhood nightmares came rushing back. Scary men uttering death threats. A mama who would go missing for days. And no one to care for me. No one to assure me everything would be okay.

I was shaking, pacing like a caged animal, as traumatic memories I’d buried deep resurfaced. A knock on my door made me squeal, and I wasn’t a squealer, but it was after midnight, and I was on high alert.

Living in a luxury highrise meant not just anyone could walk in. They needed either a code or a key fob, but when I peered through the peephole, I realized my late-night visitor had neither.

Shame and embarrassment washed over me when I remembered how I’d flirted with Eden’s brother just hours before. I’d basically propositioned him in front of Eden and her boyfriend, our producer, Austin. It wasn’t unlike me to be bold, but in light of tonight’s events, it made me feel stupid and exposed.

“Hey,” I said, opening the door slowly. “What are you doing here, Sheriff?” When Austin introduced us, he told me his name was Cameron Reynolds, but calling him by his official title made it feel a little less personal. I needed that layer of protection now.

He braced his hands on either side of the doorframe, giving me a quick once-over. “Austin told me where to find you. Gave me the code to the front door.”

I was wearing black boy shorts and a black tank top with fluffy white slippers. But I hadn’t been expecting company, so he couldn’t claim my state of undress was another shot at seducing him.

“Why?”

“I wanted to make sure you were alright. After the show was cancelled, all hell broke loose and no one saw you leave.”

I couldn’t remember the last time anyone had cared about my personal safety, and after the night I’d had, that simple act made me feel even more vulnerable. He’s a cop, I reminded myself. That’s what cops do, make sure people are safe.

“How’s Eden?” I’d already talked to both her and Austin, after the man who’d abducted her had been apprehended, but I wanted to hear from her brother’s lips that she really was okay.

“She’ll be alright,” he said, shoving his hands into the pockets of a worn denim jacket. “She’s got Austin to take care of her.”

I wondered what it would be like to have someone take care of me. My entire life, even as a child, I’d had to take care of myself.

“I’m glad.” I cleared my throat. “Thanks for coming to check on me. That was really sweet. But you must be exhausted, after the night you’ve had.”

He dipped his head, before flashing a set of dimples that rocked my world. I’d hit on him earlier because he was hot: cropped dark hair and beard, bright blue eyes, colorful ink, and he wore my weakness, a badge. But this was the first time I’d seen him smile, and I was pretty sure I was in serious lust.

“To be honest, I couldn’t sleep. I’ve already been back to Austin’s place to fill him and Eden in on what happened at the police station. But I was too wired to sleep, so I texted Austin and asked him for your address.”

I couldn’t help but wonder if he was here to take me up on my offer and how I’d react if he was. I’d basically told him I’d be down for a one-night stand, but that was when I was in showgirl mode. Right now, I was in scared little girl mode, and would give anything for someone, even a safe stranger, to just hold me.

“Come in,” I said, frowning at a nosy neighbour who stepped off the elevator and slow-walked down the hall. “Can I get you a beer? I wouldn’t mind a drink myself.” I wasn’t a big drinker, because my mama had been a drug addict and substances of any kind scared me.

“Yeah, I wouldn’t mind a beer. Thanks.”

My three-bedroom condo felt spacious when I was here alone, but Cam stood well over six feet, with shoulders as wide as any linebacker I’d seen, so his mere stature seemed to dwarf the space.

I opened two beers before passing one to him. “I’m sorry if I came on strong and embarrassed you earlier.”

He smirked, shaking his head. “I was flattered, not embarrassed.”

I didn’t know what it was about this guy, but he made me feel safe. It could be because he was my good friend’s brother, or because his heroic actions saved her tonight, or maybe because I had a soft spot for cops thanks to my crappy childhood.

“If you came here hoping to cash in on my offer, I’ll have to rescind. I’m not in the mood anymore.”

He laughed. “Good to know, but that’s not why I came. I seriously was just checking in on you, to make sure you were okay. What happened tonight rattled everyone. And I don’t know how well you know that Kael asshole, but if he got close to you too, I thought you might want to vent a little.”

Kael, the guy who’d abducted Eden, had been an opening act on the tour, just like I was. And while we’d only done a few shows together, he’d been fun and flirty, and didn’t give off any weird vibes. Which terrified me. I thought I was good at picking up on shit like that. And if he’d slipped under my radar, how many other guys could too?

My hand was still shaking when I brought the bottle to my lips and took a sip, prompting Cam to say, “Rylee, talk to me.”

I sank down on a stool at the movable island in my small kitchen. “I’m just a little shaken, that’s all.” I ran a hand through my short blonde waves. “Sorry.”