Bray by Lori Foster

Author:Lori Foster
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2023-04-25T21:08:01+00:00

* * *

WHEN KAREN SAW the destruction, and Bray’s reaction to it, she was glad Marcus had opted to come along. Heart thundering, Bray seething beside her, she waited while Marcus insisted on going through each room.

She didn’t know how Justin had gotten in, but she had no doubts this was his handiwork. The couch cushions were slashed, her two plants stomped on the floor, drawers dumped, and her TV screen shattered. Oh, God, her life was a mess.

If he’d do this to her home, what did he plan to do to her?

Strong arms came around her, drawing her back to a hard, warm chest. Near her ear, Bray whispered, “Remember, it’s going to be okay. I swear it is.”

Though she didn’t quite believe it, she nodded.

Marcus returned, saying, “He came through the patio doors. Similar damage throughout.”

“They were locked.” She always kept everything locked.

“I know.” Marcus gave her a long, level look. “I have to call this in.”

Nodding seemed her only recourse. Justin could be a danger to her neighbors.

Bray asked, “Can she get what she needs?”

“Let’s let the officers look around first.”

An hour later, after too much talking and repeated explanations, Karen desperately wanted privacy. Crying or shouting both seemed possible. So far, she’d held off those over-the-top reactions only because Bray never left her side.

His rage was a live thing, visible in the set of his shoulders and jaw, the narrowed intensity of his eyes, yet he remained so gentle with her. Before him, she hadn’t realized that a man could be both a rock of support and a source of comfort.

What an amazing revelation.

Once the officers were done going through everything, they spoke quietly with Marcus, and then with her, before taking their leave. She believed they’d do whatever they could, but other than a description of Justin, they didn’t have much to go on.

Because she and Bray used the two stools at her bar, Marcus leaned on the counter. “Here’s what we’ll do.”

“Find the fuck and murder him?” Without even a hint of facetiousness, Bray said, “Works for me.”

“Actually, no.” Marcus showed no alarm over the suggestion, proof that he knew Bray well. “We’ll put in some security cameras, though I doubt he’ll return when he realizes you’re not here. Small, so they’re not noticeable. Inside the front door and patio doors. Since other people live in the complex, we shouldn’t put them in the hall, but if anyone comes into your apartment, we’ll know. Ford and Knox have already agreed to help me with that, and then they’ll stick around and clean up what they can.”

Looking at the mess, Karen knew her apartment needed a lot more than a good cleaning. Some of the furniture was ruined beyond repair, and she didn’t have the funds to replace it all.

Before she could go too far down the road to pity, Bray stood and wrapped her in his arms again. “They’ll salvage what they can, and ensure the window and doors are secured. That’s all we need to worry about right now.

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