Page 30 of Protected from Torment

“So,” Tyler continues. “Since that’s decided. The question is, where best to protect you. If it wasn’t so far away, I’d bring you to HQ. But I’d rather be here for the investigation. We could try setting up your house, unless your parents⁠—”

“No!” I blurt, louder than intended. “No. I won’t bring my trouble to them. They already had to deal with so much during my treatment and recovery. Plus, what if the guy comes after me again? I can’t risk their safety.”

“Okay.” His gaze holds mine; calm and reassuring. “That’s fine, Mel. I can set up something right in town.” He pauses. “It’s probably better if we stay at your place, anyway. So if anyone gets it into their head to try anything else, we’ll be right there to stop it.”

“We?”

“Yes.” Tyler enfolds my hand in his. “We. Me. My friends. You.” A beat, and then, “You’re not alone in this, Mel. Okay?”

My throat thickens again. “Are you sure?”

I don’t know why I keep asking him that. Like I want him to change his mind, or something.

“I’m sure,” he replies. “Absolutely sure. Now.” He glances at the clock. “I think we’ve talked about this enough for now. You need to rest. Unless… Are you hungry? Have you eaten anything today? I remember when I was in the hospital, my appetite was shit⁠—”

His mouth abruptly clamps shut. Dull spots of red color his cheeks.

The limp, I think. Something happened, maybe on an op, and he ended up in the hospital.

The hospital, where he may have gone when his wife died.

What if it’s hard for him, being here? What if it’s bringing back bad memories?

My own worries shift to make room for concern about him.

“Maybe we could find something to eat,” I offer. “I bet you’re hungry, after traveling all day. And we could see if the hospital TV has the channel that plays those shows you like. Ancient Aliens and Ghost Hunters.”

Tyler looks at me, surprised. “You remembered?”

“Yeah.”

He thinks again. “I bet Griff would grab some takeout for us. So you don’t have to eat the crap they serve here. And—” His gaze moves to the bruise on my forehead. “Your concussion, though. It’s not good to watch TV.”

“Just a little,” I reply. “A few minutes of TV couldn’t hurt.”

Tyler looks at me with an unreadable expression. His gaze softens. Then he gives my hand another gentle squeeze. “You’re right, Mel. And I think it’s a great idea.”

CHAPTER 6

TYLER

“You said he’s already there, right?”

Melissa glances over at me with a nervous yet hopeful expression. Anticipation brings a flush of color to her cheeks. There’s a spark in her eyes that wasn’t there in the hospital, and I’m relieved to see it back.

“Yes,” I reply. “Indy picked him up from the animal hospital first thing this morning.”

I already told Melissa that Oscar would be at the house by the time we arrived, but I can’t blame her for asking again. With all the shit she’s been through over the last few days—the last few weeks, actually—it’s understandable that she’d want the reassurance.

Like she read my mind, Melissa says, “Sorry. I know you already told me. I guess—” She hesitates, then exhales softly. “I’ve just been missing him so much. And I don’t want to get my hopes up, only to be disappointed.”

“Mel—”

“God, I’m sorry.” She shoots me an apologetic look. “That sounded terrible. Like I thought you were lying or something. I don’t. I’m not sure why I asked you when I already knew the answer. Forget I said anything.”

I come to a stop at a four-way intersection and rather than driving through; I stay put and turn to look at her. “It’s fine, Mel. You’ve been through a lot. I don’t mind if you want to ask me again.”

Her forehead creases. “It’s a bad habit of mine,” she admits. “Even when there’s no reason, I automatically assume the worst. Like something happened to Oscar—he got sick from something at the vet, or he somehow slipped his collar and took off into the woods—and no one wanted to say anything to upset me while I was in the hospital.”