Kresley took out a set of keys out of her pants pocket and jiggled them so he could hear them. Cade shut the sedan door and pulled Kresley with him until they arrived at her back door. He waited for Red to open it with the keys, looking around for any kind of threat. He walked with her through the door, with his fingers on her lower back, urging her inside. He watched as she shut and locked the back door, putting the three separate locks into place and arming the security system. Both he and Kres turned to move further inside the building when a piece of paper on the floor caught his eye. Cade reach down for the piece of paper, placing a steadying hand around Kresley’s soft hip at the same time. He read what the note stated and went absolutely still.
You’re Next was written in all caps across a white piece of paper. Cade let out a deep, guttural curse. He immediately regretted reacting that way when he took a look at Kres’ face and saw the panic and fear there. But it was there for only a moment before she covered it up with a stoic expression, as if waiting for an explanation. Cade held up the piece of paper by the corner and showed it to Kres in the dim light. He waited while she read the two words over and over. He saw confusion lead to shock and then fear. But what he didn’t count on was anger. His Red was pissed. And now he was witness to that fiery temper first hand.
“You’re next. You’re next?”, Kresley stated a few times, her voice getting louder and louder as she said it. “What the hell does that mean? I haven’t done anything to anyone, least of all Drake”.
“Let’s look around down here then get you upstairs so we can talk and figure things out, okay? Baby, look at me. I promise you that no one is going to get to you and no one is going to hurt one hair on your head. I will protect you with my life.”
Hearing that seemed to help Kresley at the moment, but her mind was still reeling from this new information. She and Cade made their way around the warehouse, walking from room to room, going through displays, looking under tablecloths, looking in bathroom stalls, closets and behind counters. When Cade stated that it was clear, they moved up the stairs at the front of the warehouse to Kresley’s personal apartment. She could feel Cade’s hand on her back, fingers spread wide over her lower back and upper hips. His fingertips were resting at the top of her butt cheek. She didn’t move them because they felt too good right now. They felt calming. Kresley needed that.
Cade walked one step below Kresley as they went up the stairs to her apartment. They weren’t steep and not a long way up for Kresley to maneuver. Cade couldn’t help but stare at Red’s butt as it bounced back and forth. It was right there for viewing. He’d have to be a saint not to notice and appreciate its beauty. And he was no saint.
At the top of the stairs there was a door, much like you’d find in an apartment building. Kresley took her keys and unlocked two locks and opened it. As they entered, she disarmed a security keypad and walked inside. Cade took a look around and was surprised at how spacious it was. It was an open floor plan with a nice size kitchen and living room area. A door on the other side of the apartment was closed. Kresley indicated that was her bedroom and bathroom suite. Another door was just off the kitchen and she stated it was the laundry area. Cade went, without asking, to open the doors and look inside. His eyes never stopped moving as he assessed for anyone lurking.
After seeing no threats, Cade met Kresley back in the center of the large room and took a long look at her. She had the beginnings of a big bruise on her cheek, scrapes over the top of that. Her temple area had a small scratch where the bleeding came from earlier and she had some blood matted in her hair. Red had dark circles under her eyes and her skin was very pale. She needed to go to bed and sleep dreamless. He decided to wait until tomorrow to talk with her at length about what happened earlier tonight and her connection to Drake Harris. She just wasn’t up for it or anything else.
“Red, I think we should wait until tomorrow to officially talk about what happened earlier and also what’s going on between you and me. You are exhausted and barely standing on your own two feet right now. Do you feel safe here by yourself or do you want to call one of your sisters to stay with you? Or I’ll be glad to sleep on the couch if that will make you feel safe”, Cade innocently said.
“I’ll be fine, Cade. You’re right, I am exhausted. And I know I should be terrified of that note left downstairs, but honestly, I’m just too tired to care. I’ll lock all of the locks on the door and set the alarm. My security system also alerts and triggers a call to MSPD if the windows are opened or broken as well. So, no need to worry about me. I’m a big girl and have been taking care of myself for a long time.” Kresley didn’t mean for it to come out sounding less than grateful. She just wasn’t used to anyone worrying about her. She was the one who did the worrying and taking care of people. This was definitely new and a little uncomfortable.
“Oh, I know you’re a
