Filed To Story: Secret Shifters Next Door Series PDF Free
I hesitated. I still wasn’t a hundred percent sure Emily was sketchy, but something was going on, and I needed his opinion. In the end, I decided to be honest.
“Well, here’s the thing. I haven’t heard from Emily since she gave me that jewelry. She hasn’t answered her phone or responded to texts. I decided to stop by her grandma’s house, the one she’s been fixing up to sell.”
“Yeah?” Tate said, his voice wary.
“So, I found the house, but it’s a dump. Looks like it hasn’t been lived in for at least thirty years. The yard isn’t even mowed.
So, then I went to see if she was visiting her grandma, but there is no grandma at the nursing home. Emily’s name isn’t on the register as a guardian. It’s… it’s like she’s lied about everything. Maybe you were right.”
There was a long pause before Tate said, “I’ll look into it. I can have the guys check the nursing home admittance. There’s always a chance that maybe grandma died. Could also be that Emily put her on a secure list, and no one is allowed to visit or ask about her. If that’s the case, it could be why the nursing home said they had no one registered by that name. That’s all pretty unlikely. For now, I’d prefer it if you didn’t reach out to her anymore. It sounds like it’s really possible she’s involved in something and tried to wedge herself into your life for some reason.”
My worries had become much more pronounced after talking to Tate.
“Yeah, you’re right. No more calls, no more texts.”
“Good. Where are you right now?”
“Um, out to eat. This little boy is gonna cause me to gain a hundred pounds.”
His chuckle sent a thrill down my spine. “Okay, but I’d like you to head straight home after. Set the alarms and stuff.”
“Got it, captain. See you tonight.”
“See you, be careful.”
My food didn’t look as appetizing as it had when it came out. The conversation about Emily had robbed me of most of my hunger, but I still managed to eat half of my meal. The other half went into a box, and I left, doing exactly what Tate told me to. The drive back home seemed longer than usual. Every time a car passed, I glanced at it to see if it was Emily. Before, I’d wanted to know she was safe. Now? I wanted to know if she was following me. Or stalking me.
My arrival back home was not a relief. As I put the car into park, I glanced up and saw my mailbox was hanging open with envelopes and packages. I parked and went to the box to retrieve all my items. Most of it looked like junk. Three different credit card offers, a catalogue that I had no memory of signing up for, a science magazine Jordyn had won a subscription to at school last year, a couple small boxes from Amazon.
There was one thick envelope that felt like there was something soft inside. It was a padded manila envelope. Frowning, I flipped it over and froze. The return address was from New York. I recognized the handwriting, or at least I thought I did. I scanned the area around my house and up and down the neighborhood. Was he here now? Could that even be possible?
I hustled up to the house and got inside, making sure to lock up as soon as I was inside. The whole time, I had the disturbing feeling that eyes were on me. I leaned against the door, and glanced at my watch. The girls would be home soon. There was no way I could let them see me like this. I was freaking out, there was no reason to scare them too.
There was only one thing to do. Tate needed to hear about this. I called him again.
After three rings, he answered. “Yes?”
I flinched at his voice. He sounded irritated and short. It was probably my fault. I was putting too much on him, asking too much of him. Guilt spilled over me, and I wanted to crawl into a hole.
“Uh… sorry, I’m bothering you. I’ll talk to you later.”
“Harley, wait, no.” He sighed tiredly. “I’m not frustrated with
you. I’ve got a client being a dick. They already signed the contract, but now they’re adding all kinds of crazy stuff. I’ve been dealing with it all day.”
“I don’t want to be the one piling more on your plate.”
“I sat myself at your table. I expect to be well fed, so pile that baby full. What’s wrong?”
Another part of me fell for him, then. He was so genuine when he said it. He truly did want to take on whatever I was willing to give him. It wouldn’t help my guilt, but it was nice to know that he was there.
“I think Luis mailed me a package.”
“What?” he nearly shouted.
“It’s in a package with a New York return address. I’m pretty sure it’s his handwriting too. It’s got to be from him.”
“Do not open it.”
“You don’t have to tell me that.”
“Okay, good. I want you to make sure the coast is clear, and then bring that package to me at the office.”
“But the girls will be home soon. School lets out in about forty-five minutes.”
“I’ll text Mariah and tell her to take Jordyn to the little ice cream joint instead of getting on the bus. Shawn’s watching them today. I’ll let him know there’s been a change of plan. I’ll even send her some money in a cash app or something. That way, they won’t be home alone.”
“I can text her and let her know,” I said.