Shadow Keeper (Shadow Riders 3)

"There's something beyond terrifying to know someone's invaded your personal, private space," she said.

Her voice was pitched low, but he caught the slight wobble and wanted to smash something--or someone. She was being brave, but she was shaken. He watched as she looked all around and under the table where the photographs were.

"He took my brother's key chain. He moved the photographs and the things I have here. Why would he take Sandlin's key chain? It isn't worth anything to him, or anyone but me."

"What did it look like?" Giovanni followed her as she circled around the living space and kitchen.

"It was just a key chain with a picture of me in it. He took it when I was barrel racing and had won a championship."

She suddenly broke off and ran across the room to the armchair. A book lay upside down on the cushion. Next to the chair was a small round side table. Two wineglasses sat out with a bottle of red wine. There was wine residue in each glass. On the side of one of the glasses was a small smear of pink lipstick.

"This isn't mine. I mean, the glasses are, but not the wine and I didn't drink anything with anyone. My book was sitting here on the table when I left. The book on the chair isn't the one I was reading. I don't know where mine is, but that's not it. He staged this. He had to have, and I'm certain that's my lipstick."

Giovanni picked up the book, turning it over to the open pages. Text was highlighted and he skimmed it, his stomach tying in knots as he did. "It's an erotica book. This has a very graphic passage between two lovers highlighted."

Sasha pressed her fingers to her temples as if that might stop a headache. "What's he trying to say?"

"I think he's fantasizing that you're in a relationship with him," Giovanni said.

She turned her head to look at the bathroom door. "He was in there, too, wasn't he?"

"You tell me." Giovanni was certain he had been.

She took a deep breath and started to touch the door handle. He caught her shoulder to pull her back and opened the door with his gloved hand. "Just in case, honey. We don't want to mess up any fingerprints."

She nodded, and stepped inside, her gaze instantly drawn to the towels and then the little cabinet where her things sat. "He was definitely in here. Those towels aren't mine. And I'm not that neat. I couldn't get them on the rack like that." She pushed back the shower curtain, made a face and stumbled back. "He was in here, too. I think he took a shower." There were a few drops on the shower curtain, but the floor of the stall was damp. "He used my soap and shampoo. I'm never touching those things again. What's wrong with him?"

Giovanni stepped up and caught her around the waist, pulling her back to him, wrapping his arms around her. "The cops will get him. What about anything else? Look carefully, Sasha."

She studied the cabinet and then indicated the lipstick. "He used that on the wineglass rim. I keep it in the drawer along with the other makeup. He put that there. The perfume bottle, I've never seen before, nor do I use that particular scent. He had to have brought it." She pressed back into him and turned her head to look up at him. "You don't think he used my toothbrush, do you?"

Giovanni shrugged, trying for casual, but he was buying her a new toothbrush. The idea of her putting her mouth anywhere near where the intruder had put it sickened him.

"Cops are here, Gee," Stefano announced.

Instead of two uniformed officers, two men in suits came through the door. Giovanni introduced Sasha to the two detectives, who he was very familiar with, and then indicated the scratch marks, pointed out the bouquet on the ground and where she'd found it. He circled Sasha's shoulders with his arm and pulled her under his shoulder, keeping it there, letting the detectives know she was not only with him, but under his protection. His hovering family told them the rest.

"Stupid mistake on his part, messing with your family," the one who had been introduced as Detective Jason Bradshaw said. His tone held all kinds of innuendo.

Giovanni didn't rise to the bait. He let them question Sasha, realizing almost immediately they were falling under her spell. Even now, with everything going on, she managed a smile that made them look at her in a way that had him wanting to tear their heads off.

The detectives were thorough, he had to hand them that. Stefano always said the department's detectives weren't always the politest, but they definitely knew their jobs and didn't jump to conclusions; they worked their cases and had a high arrest rate. He respected them, and Giovanni could see why. The two men might not like the Ferraros, or at the very least, suspected them of being a crime family, but they put aside any prejudices and photographed and documented everything. Their questions were polite but probing, leading Sasha to find a few other items that had been touched, moved, or had disappeared.

Her hairbrush was missing. Her mother's silver hand mirror. The book she'd been reading was nowhere in the house. The other two wineglasses that made up her set were gone. She was trembling visibly by the time they entered the bedroom. It was the first time Sasha had been inside it, and she made a small sound that tore at his heart before turning her face against his ribs.

"I take it you didn't leave your bed that way," Bradshaw stated.

"No." She cleared her throat and forced herself to look at them, but she gripped Giovanni's suit vest so hard, her fingers curled into his skin. "But the clothes are mine." She glanced at the dresser just under her window. "That drawer was closed when I left."

The other detective, Art Maverick, walked over and peered inside. He turned his head, his eyes meeting Giovanni's and then his partner's.

"What is it?" Sasha asked.

Giovanni was afraid he already knew. "Baby, go with Ricco. Wait for me outside. I'll just be a few more minutes. You're finished with her, right? She gave her statement."

Maverick nodded. "That's right, ma'am, you can wait outside. I need to talk to Giovanni."

"I should stay," Sasha protested, but they all heard the reluctance in her voice.

Giovanni brushed a kiss on top of her head and gave her a little push toward Ricco. His brother reached out and gently took her by the shoulders. "Emme's waiting to meet you. She didn't want to come in and accidently touch evidence, so she's been not so patiently waiting for the police to be finished with you."

"One more thing, Miss Provis?" Bradshaw said. "Have you ever had a stalker? Do you have any idea who could be doing this?"

She shook her head. "Nothing like this has ever happened to me. Never."

Giovanni watched them go. Sasha looked back at him several times, clearly feeling guilty about leaving him to deal with the detectives on her behalf.

"Has she talked to you about anyone she was concerned with?"

"No. She's relatively new to the city. Her brother suffered a traumatic brain injury, and she had him moved here from Wyoming. The Hendrick Center is one of the top in the world for rehabilitation and care of that magnitude." Giovanni volunteered what he knew as he took the necessary steps to cross the room to peer into Sasha's private underwear drawer.

There was a stack of lacy stretch boy shorts as well as lace bras. The intruder had ejaculated all over her panties and bras. Giovanni was aware that he possessed a very volatile temper. It often boiled up out of nowhere, so he was used to the feeling erupting. This was different. This was a rage he wasn't certain he could contain. He turned away from the two detectives, afraid the need to snap the neck of the perpetrator showed on his face.

"He planted cameras," Taviano stated, pulling all interest away from Giovanni. "In the bathroom, bedroom and living area. Stefano found several video cameras on the roof across the street."

"This is one sick bastard," Maverick snapped. "Where do these guys come from?"

"There were a few incidents at the club involving her a couple of nights ago," Giovanni said, staring out the window. The entire apartment was suddenly too small. He could barely breathe with the need to exact justice for Sasha. "I think she would have admitted if she had a long-time stalker or if she thou

ght she knew who it was. I can have West, our manager, give you the incident reports involving Sasha last night. He can provide the footage from our cameras as well. Darby was there and used her to try to create sensationalism for his show. We stopped him and took the film. Several cameramen weren't happy when we took film from them, but they had signed an agreement with us before they were allowed in."

"Given all the cameras set up in her apartment and outside, I want the names of those photographers," Bradshaw said. "The setup looks professional."

Giovanni nodded. "We'll get you whatever you need."

"She's the kind of a girl who's going to attract attention," Maverick stated. "It could be some asshole she passed on her way to work and she smiled at him. Someone in the deli or club, since she works both places and has to smile to be polite. Now he thinks they're in some kind of sick relationship." He looked around the apartment. "She's in real danger, Ferraro. You don't go to all this trouble without being truly fixated."

Giovanni nodded. "We'll watch out for her," he assured. "You find this bastard."

"You know as well as I do, these creeps are difficult to find. He left DNA, so if he's somewhere in the system, we can get him for breaking and entering, and stalking."

"Why would he exchange towels and get out her wineglasses? Have you seen that before?" Giovanni asked.

Maverick shook his head. "It's all part of his fantasy relationship with her. Having a sexual encounter, sharing wine, showering. The roses he left for her. His towels hung in her bathroom. Some of her things brought back to his place."

Giovanni swore under his breath in Italian as he lifted his gaze to Taviano's. They had to find this man and eliminate him. If Maverick and Bradshaw were concerned, then Sasha was in even more danger than she knew.

"If you're finished with her, I'm going to take her out, get her a few things to wear and a new toothbrush before we go to see her brother."

"Just to warn you, Ferraro, if he's as dangerous as I think he is, he'll be angry with her for having anything to do with you and he'll perceive you as a threat to his relationship. He'll definitely go after you."

Giovanni gave the detective his shark's smile. "I want him to come after me. If he fixates on me as his enemy, he won't have time to harass her. I can take care of myself," he assured. "Just find him."

Maverick nodded. "Then we're finished with her. We'll need to be here a little longer. I want to take these cameras for evidence as well as sweep for more."

Giovanni started out the door.

"Ferraro?"

He turned back.

"Is it possible someone is striking at you through her?"

"She isn't a part of our world." He wanted her to be. He intended to make her a part of it, but she wasn't yet. "She works for us at the club, but no member of my family hired her. We don't do that. She was in trouble the other night because a few customers got out of hand, so I stepped in, but that's something all of us do when there's trouble. My table just happened to be closer than security. I did take her to dinner after and my brothers and cousins joined us."

In his gut, he was certain whoever had fixated on Sasha had done so without counting him in the equation. Maverick nodded as if he had been just as certain but had to ask.

Giovanni joined his family inside the deli. Francesca, Emmanuelle, Mariko and Sasha sat at a table together with his brothers surrounding them. As usual, Francesca had everything under control. Sasha was even laughing. She looked young and happy with the other women, and that made him feel better. He'd had a bad taste in his mouth and just looking at her took it away. He liked seeing her looking as if she didn't have a care in the world.

That was her gift, he decided. She had a crazy stalker and her sanctuary had been violated, her beloved brother didn't remember her, but she could put that aside and still find a way to be happy. She had courage and strength.

She looked up, her gaze meeting his, and smiled directly at him. For him alone. His heart stuttered in his chest. He couldn't help but smile back, the dark, ominous feeling lifting just a little. Already his family was rallying around her, doing exactly what they did--helping out. He could always count on them. He wanted her to understand that she could as well.

Stefano caught his eye, and he drifted across the room to his oldest brother. "I've put guards on her, even when she's with you, Gee, so if you spot them, you know who they are. Demetrio and Drago will be out of sight. Emilio and Enzo are on the two of you."

Giovanni wasn't about to protest as he normally would have if his brother sent the top bodyguards to protect him. He would do anything, even having his brother's guards, in order to keep Sasha safe. "Thanks, Stefano. Are you covered?"

"Of course. Did you think Emilio would let me have five minutes without someone breathing down my neck? I do have that little job to do. I'm not letting Darby get away with his crap. He was warned. Vittorio and I are going to pay him a visit, so that means you, Taviano and Ricco have to be visible. We'll all be at the club celebrating you finding Sasha. I've got all the details worked out. Cousins are coming to help celebrate. We'll have video of Francesca and me there making out like we do. Darby will call the cops and look like a fool. Just make certain you're seen at the club."

"Sasha is working tomorrow night so it will work out nicely. If she's at the club, then I'm at the club. Everyone can show up. I'll alert club security, and we'll need Enrica at the club so if Sasha or any of the women goes into the ladies' room, they'll still be guarded."

"I'll make certain Emilio knows to assign her the days Sasha is working."

Giovanni once more turned to look at Sasha. She appeared as if she belonged with the other women. She had the same sweet innocence about her that all of them did. Emmanuelle glanced up at him and gave him a thumbs-up, her opinion of his choice. He put his hand over his heart and nodded. Sasha caught that gesture. He didn't mind. He was determined to be as honest with her as possible.

"I hate to break up the party, ladies, but Sasha is going to need a few things for tonight and tomorrow."

"Lucia and Amo are waiting in their store. They said to use the back entrance as they're closed. Nicoletta will let you in," Francesca said.

Nicoletta. The problem child. He glanced at Stefano.

Stefano sighed and nodded. "She'll be joining us for self-defense training five days a week. Mariko has struck up a friendship with her and she'll be her first instructor."

"That's a heavy schedule," Giovanni objected. "She works two jobs and has to keep up with her schoolwork."

"I spoke with Agnese Moretti and she's caught up on her work and then some. There will be no problem with graduation," Stefano assured. "Otherwise, I would have been sitting down with her until it was done."

Giovanni nodded his head and held out his hand to Sasha. "Let's get a move on so you can see your brother tonight. I know you don't have much time off."

"I can't do that." There was regret in her voice, but she took his hand. "I can't possibly sleep in that apartment, so I need to find a place to stay and I need clothes and things like a hairbrush, hair products and a toothbrush."

He closed his fingers around hers and tugged until she was under his shoulder. "We're taking care of the clothes now, and I'm certain Emmanuelle won't mind shopping for you so we can see your brother. Lucia and Amo have chosen a few things for you, so if you like them, we can get them immediately without taking much time."

"We'll help," Francesca added. "We can get you the things you need while you go visit with your brother. No problem."

"I can't ask you to do that," Sasha objected. "Sandlin ... doesn't remember me at all. I go visit him and he's always sweet, but he has no idea I'm actually related. He doesn't have a clue who I am. If I skip tonight, I don't think he'll care."

"But you'll care," Giovanni said. She was trembling and her voice shook just the merest thread, but he heard it because he was so attuned to her. "Let them help you, honey. They're right here and they can take the things to my house an

d have them waiting for you." He nodded to the women of his family as he turned a protesting Sasha toward the door. "You can argue with me about staying with me after you get clothes from Lucia and when we're in the car. Just hold your arguments. We'll miss visiting hours if we don't get a move on."

He shepherded her right out the back door so they could go down the alley to the back entrance to Lucia's Treasures. The police were still working on Sasha's apartment, and he picked up the pace, not wanting her to think too much about a man invading her space and using her things.

"I'll have a cleaning service take care of your place. They'll sterilize everything. John Balboni owns the local hardware shop and he'll install several dead bolts and better locks on the doors, including your bedroom door."

"Giovanni, you can't do that for me."

"We own the building and it wasn't safe," he argued. "Right here." He indicated the three stairs leading to the back entrance to the little boutique.

Nicoletta waited in the doorway. Her gaze shifted from him to Sasha and she kept her attention centered on her. Her smile was professional. "Hi, Sasha, I'm Nicoletta. I'm so sorry for what happened to you. Francesca called, and Lucia has pulled some clothes and lingerie she thought you'd be interested in. Giovanni told us your size."

Giovanni narrowed his gaze at the teenager. She was eighteen now and looked more of a woman than the scared girl she'd been when she'd been rescued. He was certain she'd tacked the last on just to see him get in trouble, and of course Sasha rose to the bait.

"My size?"

"Your size was on the two garments on the bed," he pointed out, although the truth was, just looking at her, he knew her size.

"That makes sense," she said, mollified. She flashed a smile at Nicoletta. "It's nice to meet you. Francesca was just telling me how proud of you she is."

Nicoletta's smile was instantly genuine. "She could be the nicest person on the planet, unless it's Mariko or Emmanuelle. Well, after Lucia, of course."

"They were telling me about Lucia. I've seen the Faustis in the deli, but haven't really met them. Pietro talks about them all the time. He loves them. When they come in, I'm always busy so I haven't had the chance to get to know them. Emmanuelle, in particular, is fond of Lucia."