Mumbling as I walked into the house, I noted that again the door was unlocked. “This guy is asking to be killed,” I grumbled as I searched the house for Brian and Leighanne.
I finally found them back in the bedroom. Brian held a crying Leighanne in his arms. When he saw me in the doorway his eyes expressed his fear, not for himself but for the woman he held.
“Rule number one is always lock your door. How are you honey?” I asked Leighanne as I sat down on the bed next to her.
“Why would anyone want to do this to us, to Brian?” she asked as if I had all the answers. I could only shake my head and touch her shoulder in support.
“I’m going to check the house. Stay here,” I ordered, standing and leaving the room.
I did a room by room check of the house making sure all windows and doors were locked and checking for anything else suspicious.
By the time I made it back to their room Brian was laying Leighanne down and covering up where she had fallen asleep. Silently, I indicated for him to follow me.
In the living room I spoke again. “Let me see the threat.”
He pointed to a sheet of paper and an envelope on the nearby table. Without touching it I read what was written.
“Brian, you marry that bitch and you’ll pay.”
I looked up at him, at the fear in his eyes. The fear wasn’t for him though, I knew. He was worried about Leighanne.
“It’s time to call the police, Brian,” I said.
“No,” he answered.
“What? Brian, whoever this is they know where you live now. These aren’t empty threats anymore,” I pointed out, surprised by his refusal.
“Management doesn’t want the press to get a hold of this. If we call the police it’s only a matter of time before the media knows everything. I don’t want them in my life anymore than they already are,” he argued.
“You don’t call the police and you aren’t going to have a life,” I warned him. “I will die to protect you, Brian, but you have to give me some help.”
“Would you really die for me, Ryder?” he asked, taking a step closer.
“Don’t you dare do this. Your life is being threatened and all you care about is getting into my pants,” I said in disbelief.
“No, I care about you,” he argued, stepping even closer.
“Your cousin is sporting one hell of a black eye, Brian. You come and closer and you will have one to match. This stops now. I will not be seduced or manipulated while I’m working. I’m here to protect you. If you want more then I will find my way to the door. It’s your choice,” I said, my eyes locked with his as we stood our ground.
“Stay,” he finally answered, stepping back. “I don’t trust myself in anyone else’s hands right now and more than anything I need you here to do your job.”
“Good. Now help me and pick up that phone to call the police,” I responded.
“I can’t do that, Ryder.”
“Brian, I am serious. For your sake, for Leighanne’s, for mine. Pick up that phone and call the police or I will,” I threatened.
He stared at me for an endless moment before slowly reaching for his phone. His look of surrender suddenly turned to fear as he pressed the phone to his ear.
“What’s wrong?” I asked, stepping closer.
“The phone is dead.”
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