Page 145 of You Found Me
“Yeah.” A look of smug satisfaction spread across Brick’s face. “That’s what I thought.”
Ward gripped the side of the desk. “Back. Off.”
Brick pointed an accusing finger at him. “You’re in denial. I get it. It’s new, and she’s…damn, man. Della freaking Bellamy. God, that’s a trip and a half to say.”
Ward pushed off the desk and into his friend’s personal space. “As far as you’re concerned, she’s Lucy. You can’t tell anyone about this. I meananyone. Got me?”
Brick considered him. “Oh-kay.”
“She’s not a celebrity. She’s not my girlfriend. She’s myprotectee. Her safety is all that matters. Period. Understand?”
Brick held up his hands in mock surrender. “Yeah, man. I get you.”
“Good. Move your truck over to the neighbor’s, would you? I’ll be back in five.” Then, Ward went upstairs to deal with last night’s mistake.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Della startled awake to bright sunlight, rough hands and a barked command.
“Up.” Ward sounded like he’d been trying and failing to wake her for a long time.
She blinked her eyes open and tried to focus. “Are we late? Shit. What time is it?”
“It’s time to wake up.” Ward stalked over to the dresser and yanked open a drawer.
The urgency in his voice sent a spike of fear through her that didn’t fit with her memories of last night. Her thoughts were still wrapped up in his arms. Her dreams had revolved around another day at the festival, followed by another night with Ward.
She took in the rigid set of his shoulders, the quick movements of his hands as he pulled clothes out of the drawer, the utility belt around his waist, and the gun. She was suddenly wide awake.
She sat up, tugging the covers with her.
“What happened?” Her voice crackled. “Did you find the stalker?”
“No.” The sharp edge in his voice made her flinch. “He found you.”
Her hand found the panic button he’d given her. She never took it off, at first because Ward had insisted she wear it and now because it reminded her of him. She had the sudden urge to squeeze it. “How?”
Ward tossed a bra and underwear on the bed near her feet. “Ken the Idiot recorded you and my brother and posted it for the world to hear. It’s a small town, Ms. Bellamy. There’s always someone listening. I told you that. Iwarnedyou.”
She winced as the memory of Ken walking down the hallway came back to her in vivid detail. “Oh. Shit. Hewasrecording.”
She regretted it the second the words were out of her mouth.
Ward froze on his way to the closet. “You knew someone heard you. You knew someonerecordedyou.”
The look of utter betrayal on his face was familiar. She’d seen it on her sisters’ faces all those years ago. “I…yes, but…”
“You lied to me.” His voice was cold and controlled, but his eyes flashed with anger. “I trusted you and you used it to manipulate me. Life’s just a game for people like you.”
She should get up. She should move. She should dosomething, but she couldn’t make herself let go of the blankets.
“That’s why Aunt Martha winked at you last night.” He rubbed his jaw. “You played me, and I fell for it. I have to hand it to you. That’s a first.”
“It wasn’t like that.” Her voice came out too high, full of panic. “I didn’t?—”
“Yes, Ms. Bellamy. You did.” He shook his head. “And I let you. I did exactly what I reamed Greg out for, which makes me a hypocrite as well as a fool.” He stalked the rest of the way to the closet. “This is why rule one exists in the first place.”
“Ward. I’m sorry. Let me explain. Please.”