“Officer Milon will escort you inside, Miss Jeneve.” Sheila nodded and stepped off the patio just as two more police cruisers pulled into the driveway.

As we walked around the kitchen and down the back hallway, I shivered as I passed my hiding spot. I knew that guy, whoever he had been, had seen me.

Once I got my phone, I was led back outside and into the front seat of Officer Sheila’s car. That’s when I called Corrigan’s number first.

It rang and rang so I left a message.

I called Bryce next and he answered after the second ring.

“Sheldon?” he asked, tiredly. I heard him yawn and could envision him sitting up against his headboard.

“My house was broken into tonight.”

“What?” He was wide awake now.

“Can you—can you meet me at the police station? I have to go there for a report.”

“Yeah, yeah. Of course.” I could hear him already dressing. “Are you okay?”

“Just come down, okay?”

“Okay. I’ll be there as soon as possible.”

“Thanks.”

“Yeah. Sheldon—”

“Yes?”

“I’m glad you’re okay,” he said sincerely and it nearly broke me right then and there.

Hoarse, I murmured a thank you and hung up.

The police station looked different arriving as a victim rather than to post bail for a friend. It looked scary, threatening, and I had to blink back tears for the fourth time as Sheila parked her police cruiser.

She had me sit beside a desk and had left to get me a cup of coffee when Bryce walked through the door in sport pants and a hooded sweatshirt.

It was amazing really. I shouldn’t have noticed, but immediately some of the cops turned a watchful eye on him. It was something about him—he exuded a silent demand about himself. It made sense that cops would instantly tune into that demand and be alert.

He ignored them and found me with his eyes.

Giving me a tender smile, Bryce nodded to me when one of the officers questioned him. The cop let him through and Bryce was beside me in a flash. He lifted me up and I was hugging onto him for dear life. I hadn’t realized that I had wrapped my legs around his waist until Sheila coughed discreetly behind us.

“Let go, Sheldon,” Bryce murmured in my ear and I unwound my legs.

Sheila gave us both a small smile and indicated a chair beside another desk for Bryce to grab. He did and he sat beside me, leaning in his chair, looking relaxed and a little bored.

As I gave my official report, I saw that Sheila frowned a few times in Bryce’s direction, but she never made a comment. Bryce was either worshiped or disliked. He wasn’t a bad guy, he just came off as one to people.

We stayed at the station for an hour. Bryce had looked at me strangely when

Sheila had asked me to list the items that I had damaged. They wanted to know where I had placed the computer’s hard-drive, when my last communication had been with my parents, when my mother was returning home, and etc.

Sheila asked if I had a place to stay. They’d want to get back into the house the next day.

Bryce spoke for the first time, “She’ll stay at my place.”

“What?” I asked. “With your mom there?”

He shrugged and seemed to settle back in his chair.

“Alright.” Sheila gave Bryce another perusal, but only said, “We’ll contact you if we think of any more questions.”

Bryce stood and waited for me. He followed behind with a hand in the small of my back as we made our way into the waiting area. Just as we turned the corner, I glanced over my shoulder and saw Sheila frowning. Her eyes locked and held with mine.

I contained a shiver from the dark concern in those eyes.

Just as we pushed through the doors, we watched as Corrigan drove past us and slammed on his brakes. He was out of the car in a flash and left his door hanging open to rush over to us.

“Are you okay?” he asked, panicked, as he swept me in his arms much the same as Bryce had. My legs didn’t wind around his waist, but I hugged him tightly. He squeezed once more and as he sat me down on my feet, he ran a hand over my hair. “I got your message. I was so…”

“I’m fine. Really,” I said with a gracious smile. I was getting there.

Bryce asked, “Where were you?”

Corrigan’s gaze switched to Bryce and he straightened abruptly. His hand fell away from me as he took a step backwards.

“I was sleeping. What’s your problem?”

“She needed both of us, a-hole. You should’ve been here.”

“What are you pissy at me for?” Corrigan asked, confused and slightly defensive.

Bryce opened his mouth to say something, closed it again, and walked towards his car.

“What is he mad at me for?” Corrigan switched his confusion to me.

I shrugged and wrapped my arms around me. “He wants to blame someone.”

Corrigan rolled his eyes and shot out, “He shouldn’t blame me. I’m not the one who broke into your place.”

I winced.

Corrigan swore. “I’m sorry, Sheldon. I wasn’t thinking,.”

I shrugged him off. With a tight grin, I said softly, “It’s fine. I’m fine. I’m alive.”

“Sheldon!” Bryce called from his car.

“Where are you guys going? Do you need a place to stay?” Corrigan scowled in Bryce’s direction.

“I’m going to stay at his place.”

“With his mother?”

He understood too.

“That’s what I said, but whatever.”

“Oh…okay. Well, if you need help, call me.” Corrigan flashed a reassuring smile and hugged me once more. By that time, Bryce had pulled the car beside us and I smiled grimly at Corrigan as I got inside.

The ride was quiet, but I was okay with that. I wasn’t up for conversation, not at that moment. At one point I shivered and Bryce quickly switched the heat on.

I fought back tears and then cursed my own weakness.

When Bryce pulled up to his house and as he parked in the garage, I asked, “Are you sure?”

“Yes,” Bryce said firmly.

At the door, he grabbed my hand, shut off the garage light and opened the door.

He didn’t turn the lights on inside, but led me through his family’s kitchen, dining room, and down to his bedroom.