So Sensitive (17 page)

And it’d pushed him to act out. Wade knew that would be the way to find him.

“God, he was in here. Al over my apartment.” Suddenly, Gracie jerked out of Wade’s embrace and ran to the trash. She threw up so hard Wade’s gut clenched. He went to her. Placing his palm on her back, Wade soothed her as best he could as he held her hair back with his other hand. He murmured soft words to her and final y her spasms eased. She raised her head to look at him. “Sorry.”

“Don’t. You have nothing to be sorry for, baby.” Gracie seemed to pul herself together then. Walking over to the sink, she reached up and grabbed a paper towel from its holder, and yanked. As she went about cleaning herself up, Wade heard the sirens again, close. “The police are here.”

Gracie went back to the table and leaned down to look at the card. “The way he says Gracie Lynn . . . It’s starting to seem familiar. Like I’ve heard it before. But . . .” She broke off then as if contemplating something.

“But what, honey?” Wade urged.

She looked up at him, a frown marring her pretty face. “I told you before I’ve never used my middle name. But I could swear someone cal ed me Gracie Lynn recently. I wish I could remember.”

“You wil . Give it time.”

She sighed and tossed her hair over her shoulder. “I’m so tired of his having the upper hand.”

“Me too. But he’s losing his composure. This sort of destruction was done in one hel of a rage.”

“And you think we can get him to make a mistake if he sees us together again?”

“Yeah, I do. Now, about your staying with me.” A loud knock interrupted them. Instinct had Wade moving between her and the doorway.

“It’s the police.”

He nodded, hearing the exhaustion in her voice. “Stay here. I’l let them in.”

She plopped down onto the chair. “It’s going to be a real y long night.”

Unable to help himself, Wade closed the distance between them. Leaning down, he placed a gentle kiss on her forehead. “A few hours, and then you’l be back in my bed, snuggled under the covers and driving me to distraction.”

She smiled. “Thank you for being here. For making me feel safe and for . . . everything.”

He winked. “There’s more of that
everything
to come, sweetheart.”

16

G
racie heard voices coming from the other room. She took a deep breath and left the kitchen. God, the sight of al her things destroyed tore a hole in her heart al over again. She looked toward the front door where two uniformed police officers stood talking to Wade. It had taken them long enough to arrive. The police station wasn’t that far away. Clearly, the local law enforcement wasn’t al it was cracked up to be. When one of the officers noticed her, they al turned and stared. She wrapped her arms around herself and tried on a smile. It fel flat. In a few strides, Wade was across the room. He pul ed her into his strong arms, comforting her. Once again she found herself wishing the world would just go away. It would be so nice to live the rest of her days in Wade’s protective embrace. Pushing against Wade’s broad chest, Gracie forced herself to deal with reality. The sooner she got this over with, the sooner she could begin the arduous task of sifting through her ruined belongings.

She walked over to the two officers and gave one of them her hand in greeting. She spoke to the two in a calm voice, or she hoped it sounded calm. “Gracie Baron, thanks for coming.”

“Ms. Baron. I’m Officer Andrews, and this is my partner Officer Delaney. We’d like to ask you a few questions about the break-in.”

As Officer Andrews spoke, Gracie heard a hint of a Southern accent. He was older than his partner; his salt-and-pepper hair matched a mustache that needed to be trimmed in a bad way. His tal muscular build seemed in total contrast with his smooth, gentle voice.

“Of course. We should go into the kitchen. The furniture in here is pretty much ruined.” She showed them to the back of the apartment and waited as they both took a seat. “Would anyone like something to drink? I could make a pot of coffee.”

“No, thank you, Ms. Baron,” Officer Delaney said. He gestured to the chair across from him. “Please, have a seat, and we’l get started.”

There was something in the tone of his voice and the way he looked at her. He wasn’t nearly as friendly as his partner. In fact, she’d say he was even a little hostile. And where was Detective Henderson?

Wade waited for her to sit, before taking the chair next to her.

“Didn’t you say you cal ed Detective Henderson?”

He reached over and took her hand. “Yeah, but I got voice mail. I’m sure he’l cal us soon.”

Wade’s attention turned to Officer Delaney. “Gracie’s been dealing with a stalker for the past two months. At first it was just e-mails. It escalated to phone cal s shortly after. Hang ups, never a voice. The other night Gracie was run off the road. You can see the bruises and the broken wrist. Tonight this.”

“How do you know al these incidences are related? The break-in could be completely random.”

Wade’s expression hardened. “Did the living room look like the work of a random B and E? Her things are destroyed. That’s rage, not someone looking for quick cash. Never mind the fact that he or she left the television and stereo.” Wade pointed to the flower and the card.

“Then there’s that.”

Officer Andrews pul ed out a pen and used it to drag the card across the table. He frowned, then his gaze landed on Gracie. “This has been going on for two months? Did you report it to the police?”

“I’ve filed reports, twice. Detective Henderson has been looking into the hit-and-run.” A knock on the door interrupted whatever Officer Andrews was about to say. Gracie started to stand, but Wade was quicker. “Stay put.” She nodded and glanced across the table to the two officers. They both stood with Wade, and the three of them went out to the living room. A few minutes later Detective Henderson appeared, Wade and the officers behind him.

“Detective.”

“Ms. Baron. I would say it’s nice to see you again, but . . .”

She smiled despite the seriousness of the situation. “Thank you for coming.”

Wade crossed his arms over his chest, his feet braced apart as he looked at the detective. “I’m sure you’re aware of just how terrifying this has been for Ms. Baron. It’s not bad enough this guy put her in the hospital, but now he’s been in her home.”

“And from the looks of things he was in quite a state when he was here. You weren’t home, I take it?”

Her cheeks heated when she admitted, “No, I was with Wade.”

He nodded. “Damn good thing you were, if you ask me. Under the circumstances, you’ve sure handled this wel . A lot of women wouldn’t be so calm.”

Gracie folded her hands in her lap. “You should have seen me a few minutes ago. I wasn’t so calm then.”

Wade placed his hands on her shoulders and squeezed. “You had every right to get upset, sweetheart.”

Gracie looked at Wade. A little thril ran down her spine as she noticed the admiration in his dark gaze. “Thank you.” She hadn’t expected him to come to her defense so quickly. However, this was one time she was glad she had a man to speak up for her. Wow, she real y wasn’t feeling herself.

Detective Henderson took out a notepad and a pen. “Let’s start at the beginning. You were gone, and when you came home your apartment looked like this?”

“My dad cal ed. He’d stopped by and found the door unlocked and the place in shambles.”

“And it doesn’t appear the perpetrator took anything?” This time Officer Delaney spoke.

Before Gracie could answer, Wade effectively stopped her with a look. He turned to address the young officer himself. “We haven’t gotten a chance to go through everything, but nothing seems to have been taken. I think the asshole picked her lock. No windows were broken.”

“Does your lease al ow for pets? It might give you some peace of mind to have a dog around,” Detective Henderson said.

She shook her head. “I thought of that, but I’m afraid no pets al owed.”

He frowned. “Do you have somewhere you can stay for a while?”

“She’l be staying with me until this guy is caught,” Wade stated, as if it’d already been decided.

Al three men stared at Wade while they digested that little tidbit of information. Gracie wanted to kick him for his high-handedness. She would’ve too, if not for the relief swamping her at the idea that she wouldn’t have to stay in the apartment. She couldn’t imagine ever staying there again. The very idea made her queasy. She felt violated. And she hadn’t even gotten a look at her bedroom.

The detective took a pair of plastic gloves from his inside breast pocket. After putting them on, he picked up the note. One eyebrow arched upward. “I’ve been going through the copies of those e-mails you showed me, and I’ve noticed he cal s you Gracie Lynn.” He tucked the note in a plastic bag and sealed it. “In the note too. You have no idea who this guy could be? A coworker maybe or an ex-boyfriend?”

Gracie had asked herself that same question a hundred times; she stil had no answers. “I can’t think of a single person who would do this.

And no one cal s me by my middle name.”

“He’s obviously becoming more and more violent toward you, Ms. Baron. Breaking into your home tel s me he’s damned confident he won’t get caught.”

“Or he just doesn’t give a damn if he is,” Wade growled.

Detective Henderson tucked the note into his pocket. “Either way, you aren’t safe alone. We can have an officer keep an eye on your apartment.”

Gracie pushed a hand through her hair. “I’m not sure it’s necessary. Not anymore. He’s already ruined everything anyway. And I won’t be staying here. So what’s the point?”

The detective cringed. “Yeah, the damage is done. But his next step could be to harm you personal y.”

“He’l have to go through me first,” Wade said, his voice as hard as steel.

The detective nodded approvingly. “We’l need you to come down to the station and give us a statement.” He pointed to the vase and said, “In the meantime maybe we can get some fingerprints. Something to indicate who this guy is.”

Gracie wasn’t holding her breath on that one. So far her lunatic admirer had proven damned resourceful when it came to hiding his identity; she doubted he would make a mistake now. But she kept her thoughts to herself. “I just need to cal my neighbor. She’l worry if she sees police in my apartment.”

The doorbel rang, and Gracie frowned as she glanced at the clock. It was two in the morning. “Who could that be?”

“I’l check,” Wade said.

Curious, Gracie fol owed him out of the kitchen, but when he looked out the front window and cursed, her curiosity increased. “Who is it, Wade?”

“Jean,” he said, with a definite grimace.

Gracie smiled. Knowing Jean had come over to check on her took some of the chil away. Gracie closed the distance and nudged Wade aside and opened the door. Jean stood on her doorstep, her hair up in rol ers. The rainbow-colored robe she wore should have looked garish on her, but somehow Jean pul ed it off.

“What on earth is going on? I saw the police car and—” She stopped talking, and her eyes grew as round as quarters. “Oh, my Lord! What happened here?”

“My stalker decided to pay me a little visit.”

“Oh, no!” Jean looked her over from head to toe. “Are you okay, dear? Did he hurt you?”

“I’m fine. I wasn’t even here.”

She peeked around her shoulders, her gaze glomming onto Wade. “You were with the big hunk, I take it?”

Gracie nearly laughed. It was either that or cry. And she was so done with the tears. “Yes, I was with Wade.” She moved to let Jean enter, then closed the door behind her. “I’m glad you’re here. I was going to cal you. Wade and I need to go to the police station. I didn’t want you seeing the squad car out front and getting worried.”

“When did this happen? I didn’t even hear anything.”

“I’m not sure. Earlier in the evening sometime.” Another thought occurred. “Jean, I’m not sure it’s safe for you to be alone right now, especial y considering you live right next door. Can you stay with Brian for a little while? Just until this is al sorted out.”

She nodded. “Yeah, that’s not a bad idea.” She adjusted her robe, as if to cover herself better. “You’l be staying with Wade then?”

She couldn’t help it; she blushed. “Uh, yeah.”

“Good.” Jean pointed to Wade, a stern look on her thin, wrinkled face. “You’l take care of her, or you’l answer to me.”

Wade shoved his hands in his pockets. “Yes, ma’am.”

“Do you need anything, Gracie?”

Grateful for the offer, Gracie hugged her friend close and said, “Thanks for asking, Jean, but I’l be fine.”

Jean patted her on the back and told her everything would work out. Emotion clogged Gracie’s throat. Is this what it felt like to have a mother’s love? She didn’t know, but she did know she was grateful for Jean. Knowing the woman cared made al the difference in the world. In that moment Gracie realized how lucky she was to have friends concerned about her, offering their support. Her gaze caught on Wade’s. He watched her, tenderness softening his harsh features.

Her stalker might have destroyed a few pieces of cheap furniture, but he definitely hadn’t hurt the things that truly mattered. If only she could keep it that way.

17

W
ade didn’t know what he had expected, but it hadn’t been Jean in rol ers and a bright rainbow-colored robe. The woman had the oddest fashion sense of anyone he’d ever known. And the way she bossed him around, she didn’t seem to realize he wasn’t one of her children. And why the hel was he putting up with it? Before he could get a word of greeting out of his mouth, she’d started issuing orders. His temples started throbbing. Damn, would this night never end?

Nothing had gone according to plan. He’d hoped to get Gracie away from the scene of the destruction as soon as possible. It pissed him off to see her so upset. If he were honest with himself, he’d admit that he wouldn’t feel comfortable until he had Gracie back in his home. He wanted to hold her, to know she was safe. Once they were both rested, he’d wake her, slowly, and make love to her for several hours. He was ready to explore every inch of her sweet tight body al over again. To know she was alive and safe. And his. His dick swel ed with the tantalizing image.