Sam placed a hand over Nicole’s. “Sit tight. I’ll be right back.”
• • •
Erin and Cara remained out back at the house while Cole and Mike went to the station. Erin was not happy they all insisted she remain behind. She wanted to see this woman firsthand. Confront the threat. But she also understood the wisdom of being smart and protecting herself and the baby. Which didn’t mean she had to like it.
The only good news was that the day had remained full-on gorgeous, with bright sunshine and warm temperatures, allowing Cara and her to sit on the patio and soak up the rays.
Cara’s cell rang suddenly, interrupting the serene peace Erin had almost begun to find.
“Hello?” Cara answered. She waited a couple of beats, then . . . “Yes, I understand. I’ll tell her. Thanks. Tell Sam to be careful.”
Erin sat up straighter. “Tell Sam to be careful about what?” Her heart rate picked up speed.
Cara met her gaze. “Apparently the woman Sam arrested wasn’t Victoria, but her twin sister, Nicole. It seems Victoria is bipolar and off her meds, which goes a ways toward making sense of her irrational, impulsive behavior.”
“I’d feel bad if my whole life weren’t turned upside down,” Erin said. “Okay, I do feel bad. But she’s still a threat to me.”
Cara nodded. “But Nicole isn’t. Mike said she was at your house trying to find her twin and to warn you.”
Erin narrowed her gaze. “Why does Mike believe her?”
“I don’t know yet. We’ll have to see what he has to say when he gets here, but I’m guessing he’s not one hundred percent convinced, because Sam’s going to stick close in case her sister makes contact.”
Erin frowned. “So that psycho’s still out there.”
“I’m sorry,” Cara said.
Erin rose from her seat. “I have to do something.” She paced the back patio. “We need to draw her out. She wants me—let her think she can have me.”
“Over my dead body.” Cole approached from the side of the house. Faded jeans molded to his well-defined body and a white T-shirt hugged his chest and muscular forearms. His expression was dark, frustration emanating from him.
“Why are you coming up that way?” Erin asked.
“I wanted to walk the property, check the perimeter. Just in case.”
“Okay.”
“You are not making yourself a target. If Victoria wants anyone, it’s me.”
Erin nodded, an idea slowly forming. “Then let’s give her what she wants.”
“What?” Cara touched Erin’s arm. “What are you talking about?”
Erin swallowed hard, hating her idea, as much as she thought it made perfect sense. “A public breakup. A loud, ugly public breakup where you make it clear we will never be a couple.”
Cole stared at her long and hard. “That won’t remove you as a threat to her. You’re still the mother of my child.”
Oh, Erin knew that all too well. One he wouldn’t or couldn’t commit to, and she wasn’t so sure the distinction mattered anymore.
“I know. I’m just thinking about the psychological profile of this woman. She’s clearly in a manic state. She wants a man who will take care of her, love her. A man who needs her. She’s going to respond to any opening she sees. By this point I’m sure she’s itching to talk to you face-to-face. So you’re going to make sure she thinks you’ll be happy to see her.”
Cole tipped his head. “How?”
Cara watched them both carefully, as if looking for hidden meaning in Erin’s words. Considering her sister-in-law knew just what had transpired between Erin and Cole, Erin didn’t blame her. But this plan really was intended to play into Victoria’s needs, not Erin’s insecurities—although in the end, Cole’s words would indeed slice open her heart.
“You’ll let me know, in public, that just because I’m having your baby, I shouldn’t expect us to be a family. But that you know firsthand a kid needs two loving parents, like your mother and Brody, so I’m free to find someone else. And you’ll do the same.”
Cole’s eyes darkened. “What the hell do you expect to accomplish with that?”