Wallace was all right, but he was very much like a fatherly figure and could never in a million years fill the void I felt in Brady’s absence. He was good at his job though, and kept a watchful eye on me.

Nightfall having set in, Wallace was in the house, snoozing on the couch in front of the television.

After a long day of studying and an intense workout, I needed time to relax, so I went out into the backyard and decided to lounge by the pool. I looked up into the stars shining overhead, wondering what Brady was doing and whether he had been thinking about me at all.

I wondered how long it would be before I saw him again.

Before I touched him again…

Or if all of that was officially over.

The night breeze feeling comforting on my skin and the sparkling water before me soothing my mind, I leaned back in the beach chair and closed my eyes. I willed my mind to go blank, not wanting to think about Brady. Whenever I dreamed about him, it only intensified the pain when I woke up and remembered he was no longer with me.

The relaxing night breeze proving helpful in clearing my mind, I halfway wanted to sleep under the stars. Yet, I knew Wallace would never allow it. Even though my father was always more of a target than I was, Wallace would not risk letting me sleep outdoors just in case prying eyes were nearby. The yard of the safehouse had high fences that no one could see through, but Wallace simply wasn’t a man keen on taking risks.

“Don’t stay out there too long now, Autumn. Don’t want you catching cold. And I don’t want no creepers to sneak up on you either,” he had warned when I told him that I was going to sit out by the pool for a little while.

“All right, Mr. Wallace,” I had promised.

With a sigh, I reopened my eyes, knowing that I had likely been out there long enough already. Plus, I knew Wallace wouldn’t go to bed until he knew I was tucked away safely inside the house, so I didn’t want to keep him waiting too long.

I sat up and stretched, prepared to go back inside. Yet, I froze when I heard a car door slam.

It was late, and I certainly wasn’t expecting any visitors. And while I halfway suspected the visitor may have been for a neighbor, it sounded too close by.

I stayed sitting there, listening. When I saw lights flooding out of the windows, I knew someone was inside the house with Wallace. I strained my ears to hear voices, but could only make out distant drones that I couldn’t recognize.

Who in the world could that be at this hour?

After listening for a while, I heard another car door slam, followed by a car engine revving up.

Apparently, someone had come by for a short visit, and it didn’t involve me.

I relaxed for a moment, supposing it was just likely something security-related for Wallace that wasn’t any of my concern. But just as I was starting to relax, my mind started wandering on me again…

What if it had something to do with Dad?

I shook the thought from my mind, figuring if that had been the case, I would have been alerted. But when I heard shuffling from within the house, I started to worry that Wallace was on his way to deliver some kind of news—and it wasn’t likely to be good. Bad news tended to come late at night—just like the news of my mother’s passing had so many years ago.

With late-night phone calls being so anxiety-provoking, I could only presume a late-night visit was even worse.

My heart pounding, I braced myself.

I heard the swing and clang of the backdoor, followed by more footsteps. Wallace was on his way.

A dark silhouette began to cross the yard, but instantly, I knew there was something off about it.

It wasn’t Wallace; this man was too tall and muscular.

Oh my god…what if someone attacked him and now they’re coming for me?

My body began to tremble and my fight-or-flight instinct flared up.

I contemplated whether I should scream or not…

“Do you mind if I join you?”

In an instant, my fear dissipated. The figure grew closer, and I realized who it was.

Tags: Nicole Elliot Romance
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