“We found this.” Drake came inside and handed him a large yellow envelope. He was wearing gloves. Noah let go of the girls and put some gloves on. He doubted there were fingerprints on it, but just in case, he didn’t want to ruin evidence.
Alana and Alicia sat on the couch close together. Both girls were pale. Drake was talking to them softly and reassuring them the guy was long gone.
Ray came barreling into the house with wide eyes. He looked at his sisters and kneeled before them. Alicia threw herself into his arms and started sobbing, telling him what had happened. Drake sat on the couch next to Alana, holding her hand. Noah knew Drake was a family friend, but he didn’t like the idea of anyone touching Alana but himself. He was possessive when it came to her.
Noah swallowed down his jealousy and sat on the coffee table and opened the envelope. He heard Ray whispering to the girls, and he was glad they weren’t paying attention to him. He sucked his breath in. He pulled out photos of Alana. At least ten. She was working at the restaurant. The picture had been taken through the window. One was of her at the grocery store putting bags in the car. A few of her and Alicia coming home together. He wanted her to know he could get to her. He was livid that someone would do this to her. This was no normal mugging. Someone had singled her out, and he wanted to know why. Alana had no enemies and no past boyfriends.
“What is it?” Alana cried in a low voice. Tears were falling down her cheek.
Noah hoped this would not send her backward. He had finally started seeing glimpses of the old Alana. He wanted this guy bad.
Ray sat on the couch between them. He saw the pictures and let out a few curse words.
Alana gasped. “I thought I felt someone watching me. I thought I was being paranoid.”
Noah immediately pulled her onto his lap. He held her as she cried. He felt angry. How long had he been quietly watching her? Why?
The next hour was spent checking the outside for any clues while Ray guarded his sisters.
Mr. and Mrs. Garcia were upset and wanted to know how Alana was going to be protected.
“If he is here in town and he is watching her, how can we protect her?” Mr. Garcia wanted to know. He was hugging Alana tightly as if he didn’t want to let her go.
Alicia had calmed down and was now angry. She paced up and down the living room floor.
“He needs to be caught and rot in jail,” Alicia stated angrily. “How dare he watch Alana and come to our home to scare us?”
Ray hugged her. “We’ll let Alicia loose on his ass.”
Alana giggled and agreed. Noah knew Ray was trying to lighten the tension.
“Alana can stay at my house. Liam and I are there every night. Starting tomorrow Adam will be off, too,” Noah suggested. He wanted Alana to move in with him, and this was the perfect excuse. He didn’t care if her family argued about it. She was coming home with him, or he would camp out on the couch here. “I have an alarm system. Tomorrow we search every inch of this town. There is no place this guy can hide. Tony and Matt Smith also volunteered to help. They helped me do security for the festival, and I trust them. They are ex-military and know a lot more than I do about hunting down criminals.”
Ray nodded. “I have seen them. They are huge mountains on legs and look badass when they walk around town. During the day, Alana will be safe at the restaurant. She will be surrounded by people. He wouldn’t dare show his face there.”
Mr. Garcia kissed Alana’s forehead. He looked resigned with the idea, but he still gave Noah a silent warning glance. “Take care of my daughter, Noah.”
“I promise.” That was an easy promise to give. He would not allow this criminal to lay his hands on her again. Whatever it took, he would do. Alana meant the world to him.
Chapter 16
Alana and Noah lay in bed that night. Noah held her tightly and kissed her forehead. She was still tense, and she was trying to relax enough to fall asleep. She was scared, though.
“I know it’s hard not to worry, baby.” He massaged her shoulders, and she let out a soft sigh.
“I feel safe with you, Noah,” she assured him. She trusted Noah to take care of her. “I just hate the thought of him roaming the streets of our town. What if he attacks someone else in Red Hook? Who is he, and why pick me to stalk?”
“My night deputies, Sam and Greg, have stepped up their patrols. I even have some volunteers combing the streets tonight. Hank down at the bar promised his bouncers will walk each girl to her car or call cabs and wait with them. People are willing to band together to help out. That’s what we do, baby. We stick together, like glue.”
Alana sighed, relaxing her body. She kissed his cheek. He was such a good sheriff, and she was so proud of him.
“I love you, Noah. Thank you for taking such good care of me and the residents in this town.”
“This is my home town. It’s my duty to protect these people. It’s not just a nine-to-five job for me. And you belong to me, too. I love you. I won’t let him get near you.”
“I know, and that’s what makes you such an excellent sheriff. You have my vote, sir.” She ran her fingers up and down his chest softly. She hovered above him and gave him a sexy smile.
He caught her fingers and held them. “I do? What else do I have your vote for?”