Page 65 of Madden

I lean in until my ringing phone once again interrupts.

Very few people know my number and even fewer would be calling me right now.

I slip my phone out, this time checking the screen to see it’s Abel. A knot twists in my stomach, knowing whatever it is, it can’t be good.

“Yeah?” I answer, bypassing the greeting.

“About time you fuckin’ answer.”

“What’s going on?”

“I need you to get back to your place as quick as you can.”

“Why?” My stomach drops.

“There’s been an incident.” He pauses. “Someone tried breaking into your house.”

I push myself off Brielle, and she follows me, concern on her face likely judging by my tone.

“All right, we’ll leave right now. I should be there in five, maybe ten minutes.”

I end the call and turn back to Brielle.

“I’m sorry to do this tonight of all nights. Abel said someone tried breaking into my place.”

I rub my fingers over my forehead. Brielle doesn’t hesitate, immediately climbing to her feet. She presses her palm against my chest.

“Whatever it is, it’ll all be okay.”

I slip my hand in hers and lead us back to the stairway we came down earlier to my motorcycle.

A police car is parked out front when we pull up. Abel stands stoically, his arms crossed with his brow furrowed while he talks intently with the officer.

“The security company alerted me when the alarm went off, and I got over here as quick as I could.”

I jog up the stairs to meet them, Brielle following me.

“What the fuck happened?”

“We have it on surveillance someone attempting to break into the property through one of the large windows toward the back of your home. One of your patio chairs was used to bust through the window,” the officer says.

Abel glances at the ground, a grim look on his face. There’s more, but he’s letting the officer finish before he interjects.

“Do you know who it is? If we can see them on the camera, certainly we should be able to get a good look at them, right?” I question.

Abel shakes his head.

“What do you mean no? I pay for one of the best security systems money can buy, and you’re telling me we can’t figure out who the fucker is?”

“It’s a man, that much we know,” Abel clarifies. “He’s dressed in all black and is wearing a ski mask. We couldn’t get a look at his face.”

I drag my hands through my hair. “Un-fuckin’-believable!”

Brielle caresses my back, attempting to calm me down. When I drop my arms and turn toward her, the concern on her face eases the tension some.

I squeeze her fingers in mine, turning back to Abel.

“What else? There’s something else you’re not telling me, so spill it.”