Before he could ask anything else, a loud knock sounded on the door of the townhouse. Serena’s body jerked at the sound, and he took her hand in his again. He heard Rafe’s heavy tread against the hardwoods, and knew he’d get the door.
“Don’t worry. It’s just the tech guys, here to do their thing. Get fingerprints, gather evidence. You know, all the stuff you see on television.”
Serena gave a shaky laugh. “You always said the stuff they show on television is complete garbage. Nobody does things the way Hollywood portrays it.”
“True. But they do need to make sure they double check everything, see if whoever was here left behind anything that might give us an idea who it was. Maybe fibers from clothing, fingerprints, or DNA evidence. It shouldn’t take long.” He ran his hand along her cheek. Her skin felt like the finest silk beneath his touch. “Can I get you anything? Something to drink maybe?”
She struggled to stand, but he stopped her with a touch. “I should—”
“You stay here and let me take care of you, okay? I’m pretty sure I know where the kitchen is and can find the glasses.”
She smiled, finally meeting his gaze. “Thank you.”
He paused long enough to watch Rafe direct Dusty and Judith, both from the sheriff’s office, toward Serena’s bedroom, before heading to the kitchen and getting Serena a drink. Her kitchen was beautiful with bright white cabinetry and quartz countertops. It looked modern, like something out of a magazine, and the complete opposite of what he’d expect Serena to like. Oh, he got it she’d want modern amenities, what woman didn’t? He remembered his mother and sister going on and on about tiles, granite, and backsplashes until he’d been ready to pull his hair out when they’d redone the kitchen at the Big House, but somehow this kitchen didn’t suit his Serena. It seemed too—stark, almost sterile. There were no personal touches. No cookbooks, no appliances. Not even a potted plant graced the pristine countertops.
Walking back into the living room, he handed the water to Serena and glanced around the space. Here, too, he noted a lack of personal touches. Even though she’d been in Shiloh Springs almost a year, there were no photographs, no knick-knacks. Nothing to make it a home, which made him realize she probably didn’t consider it a home. Simply another stop on her run away from Big Jim. He bet if he looked in her closet, he’d find a bag packed and ready to go at a moment’s notice.
“I think it’s a good idea if you come and stay at the Big House for a few days.”
Serena’s head whipped toward him, eyes wide. “What?”
“Somebody’s been in your home. It isn’t safe for you to be here alone.”
“Antonio, I can’t just up and leave my house because somebody broke in. They didn’t steal anything. I’ll—I’ll change the locks. Everything’s going to be fine. I overreacted. Maybe nobody’s been here and I—”
“You know better. Until we know who got into your place, we need to make sure you’re safe.” He paused before adding softly, “I need to be sure you’re safe.”
Serena’s gaze searched his, before she finally looked away, and he read the uncertainty in her face. “It seems a little extreme to put everybody out because I might—might—have had somebody in my place. Maybe I wasn’t as careful as usual. I did leave in a hurry this morning, to meet the girls at Daisy’s Diner.”
“Do you honestly think that’s what this is, Serena? Tell the truth.”
She huffed out a sigh. “Fine. But I’ll only go for a day or two. Since it’s the weekend, I can move a couple of things around. But I’ve got to work on Monday. I’m not going to cancel my appointments because I’m being paranoid.”
Antonio moved closer and picked up her hands in his. He didn’t miss the slight trembling or how cold they felt. She was more scared than she’d admit, even though she tried to put on a brave front. If he didn’t already know what she was hiding, he’d probably have missed the signs. Lifting one hand, he brushed a light kiss against her knuckles, watched her eyes widen at his surprise move.
“Let me make a couple calls and get everything set. By the time I’m done, I bet Rafe and his team will be finished, and you can pack enough for a couple days. Okay?”
She gave a sharp nod and pulled her hands free, wrapping her arms across her middle. With unhurried movements, he stood and walked back into the kitchen, pulling out his cell phone along the way. His first call was to his momma. Serena would be safe with her. She’d watch over her like a mama bear protecting her cub, and he couldn’t think of better hands to handle Serena’s care.
Serena watched Antonio walk away, her mind racing. Too much had happened today. She’d been thrown for a loop at the diner when Beth had mentioned Big Jim and the possibility he’d get a new trial. It didn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out the feds would be hot on her trail again, wanting her to rehash in agonizing detail at the family dynamics and drama she’d run from in the first place. Then to come home and find her privacy had been violated. Somebody had found her, and her past was nipping at her heels.
Every survival instinct screamed for her to run. But it felt like she’d been running her whole life, and she was tired. Tired of hiding, changing her appearance, her name, her very identity because she’d done the right thing. Even
