Page 49 of It Runs in the Family

“Did anyone witness the confrontation?”

“Lisa must have seen part of it, but Digger got a front row seat. We both know his drunk ass won’t be taken seriously, though.” I hesitated, then said, “But the guy went inside the store before we talked in the parking lot, so maybe the camera inside got a good look at him.”

“That’s something, right?” When I didn’t answer, he said, “They won’t charge you with anything, especially since I’ll vouch for you.”

“Do you really think they’ll find the guy?”

“We won’t know if we don’t try.”

I considered it, then shook my head. “They won’t help me. Sure, they’ll take the report and then that will be it. They won’t post someone outside my apartment even though I’m vulnerable. It’s a waste of time.”

“But at least they’ll have a record of it.”

“What about Selena? I’ll have to tell them the guy was looking for her, and you know she’s gotten in trouble with the law before.”

Garrett’s face pinched with frustration. “You were murdered in your vision, Irie. Selena made her own choices. You need to protect yourself.”

I hated to admit it, but he was right. “Okay.”

He jumped off the sofa and grabbed his phone and called a friend of his who was on duty. Deputy Nate Corbin showed up about ten minutes later, and I told him about the encounter. I left out the part about my visions but reluctantly admitted that the guy had been looking for Selena.

Nate told Garrett he’d go by the convenience store to look for video footage, then said he’d be in contact.

I wasn’t holding my breath.

It was two in the morning before he left, and Garrett had been yawning for the last half hour. I’d already troubled him enough. “You need to go to bed.”

“You can sleep in my room,” he said. “I’ll sleep on the sofa.”

“No way.” I headed down the hall to his bedroom to grab an extra pillow from his bed. “I slept past noon, so I’m not tired yet,” I lied. “You should go to bed. I’ll watch some TV and try to get sleepy.”

He hesitated. “Are you sure? I can sit with you.”

“Don’t be silly. I’m fine. Go to bed.” I reached up to wrap my arms around his shoulders and gave him a hug. A huge part of me was terrified of being alone, even in his living room, but I knew I was safe. I’d already put him out enough. I wasn’t going to keep him up for an irrational fear. “Thank you. For everything.”

He hugged me back. “I’ll always be here for you. Always.”

“I know. And you have no idea how much that means to me.”

He pulled back and looked into my eyes, and I could see that he did know how much it meant. It made me love him all the more.

“Go to bed,” I said, giving his shoulder a slight shove. “I need you out of sight so I can raid your fridge.”

He grinned. “You’re about to be disappointed, but there are some chicken nuggets and frozen french fries in the freezer. You can put them in the air fryer.”

“You’re the best.”

His grin widened. “I know.” Then he leaned over and kissed my cheek before heading to his room.

I turned on the TV and channel surfed until I found an old romcom, then walked into his kitchen and found the nuggets and fries in the freezer like he’d said. After I popped them into the air fryer, I tried to focus on the rom com while I ate, but I was too fixated on the man in the parking lot. Who was he? How did he find me? Why was he interested in Selena?

Garrett had told me not to look for Selena so I’d stay safe, but I’d gotten sucked in without even trying.

Chapter Fourteen

I didn’t fall asleep until right before the sun rose. Garrett must have been quiet when he got up, because I didn’t realize he was up until the smell of bacon woke me.

“Mmm,” I said, sitting up and blinking against the sunlight filling the room.