Part 3 (1/2)
”Must be h.e.l.l on your social life.”
”I told you, I don't have one.”
”Tomorrow,” he reiterated abruptly.
Once Jonas had gone, what little defiance Lily had left deflated like a punctured balloon. The letters and the roses had been and continued to be disturbing. Jonas's presence in her life, while rea.s.suring in one way, also made it impossible for her to continue denying how frightened she was of whoever had sent those letters and bloodied roses.
But at least Jonas's presence means I no longer feel quite so alone and defenseless.
”Any progress?”
Jonas raised dark brows. ”It's been less than twenty-four hours, Gabriel.” And this was the second visit the other man had made to his office during that time, Gabriel having marched straight into Jonas's office, without an appointment and uninvited. He was lucky to have caught Jonas here at all; he was leaving for Lily's apartment in a few minutes.
”And?”
”As you know, Lily and I met for the first time last night. Thanks for letting her know about me, by the way.” He scowled his displeasure. ”I can't tell you how thrilled she was, once she'd settled down, to learn who I am and what I was doing in her dressing room.”
Gabriel grimaced. ”I told you, my relations.h.i.+p with Lily is complicated.”
”More like nonexistent.”
”You try being guardian to a thirteen-year-old girl some time, and then tell me if she still likes you at the end of it.”
”Good point,” Jonas conceded. He didn't have any siblings of his own, but if Lily's challenging att.i.tude now was anything to go by... ”I have some of my people investigating the letters.” He wasn't ready to tell Gabriel about those six letters Lily had kept from him, or the envelopes they came in. It was more important that he build the trust between himself and Lily than Gabriel needed to know all the details. ”Let me do my job, Gabriel,” he added firmly. ”I'll tell you if there's anything I think you need to know.”
The other man breathed deeply. ”It's hard for me to let someone else deal with this, when I just want to pulverize the b.a.s.t.a.r.d.”
”I almost made the mistake of doing exactly that last night. Turned out the man I was about to pulverize was a friend of hers. Evan Butler,” he supplied as Gabriel looked at him questioningly. ”He thinks you're gorgeous, by the way. Totally impressed with the wide shoulders and s.e.xy green eyes.”
Gabriel's scowl deepened. ”I trust you told him he isn't my type.”
”Now why would I do that?”
”b.a.s.t.a.r.d,” Gabriel said without rancor.
Jonas chuckled. ”He's sweet. If you like sweet, that is.”
”I don't,” Gabriel stated.
”He has a boyfriend anyway.”
Gabriel gave him a look that clearly said as if I care. ”So what's our next move?”
”My next move. Although I would appreciate any information you might have that I don't.”
”Lily isn't being cooperative,” Gabriel guessed ruefully.
”Not exactly,” Jonas conceded. ”I've met Butler. Do you have any idea how Lily gets on with the rest of the cast?”
”Really well, I think- No, wait a minute, she did mention there was some problem with the a.s.sistant director during rehearsals.”
”What sort of problem?”
”Not sure.” Gabriel's gaze sharpened. ”Are you thinking the stalker is someone Lily actually knows?”
Jonas was exploring every avenue, and that included Lily's enemies as well as her friends. ”What's the guy's name?”
”Mitch.e.l.l...? Marvin...? No, I'm pretty sure his name's Maurice.” Gabriel's brow cleared. ”Do you think he might have something to do with this? If he does, then I want to be there-”
Jonas stood up. ”I'll take any information you have to give, but anything else is out of the question. I appreciate this is your sister and you're worried about her, but you have your own business to run, so I would appreciate you allowing me to do the same.”
”I thought Seth was back today?”
”He's running late.” Jonas sighed. ”Guess he's finding it difficult to leave his bed and bride of three weeks.”
”Can't say I blame him.”
”Me either.” Seth Armstrong was the closest thing Jonas had to a brother, and his wife, Diana, was beautiful and her softness totally complimented Seth's harsher nature. She also grounded Seth in a way he had never been before, as Seth gave Diana the confidence to live her life without fear. Jonas couldn't have been happier for them. ”He's a lucky b.a.s.t.a.r.d.”
”Would you be talking about me?” Seth breezed into the office as if he wasn't over an hour late, a smug smile on his face as evidence the two men had been correct about the reason for that delay.
”As it happens, yes.” Jonas shook his friend's hand. ”It's all yours.” He stepped away from the desk belonging to Seth, which he had occupied for the other man's three-week absence. ”I'll walk out with you, Gabe.”
The two men came to a halt outside the reception area of Grayson Security.
A nerve pulsed in Gabriel's jaw. ”She's my little sister, Jonas.”
”I know that, and I promise you I will do everything in my power to make sure she stays safe.” And that included protecting her from himself. Last night, Jonas had stepped over a line. It couldn't be allowed to happen again.
Chapter 4.
”Oh my G.o.d...” Lily hadn't slept well, then had to suffer a visit from her brother Asher this morning-he was only marginally less domineering than Gabriel-and now this.
This being the graffiti-covered walls of her dressing room.
Jonas took one look at the words spray-painted in red on the walls and pulled Lily back out into the hallway, closing the door firmly behind them. He sincerely hoped she hadn't had time to read those words. Being called a ”wh.o.r.e,” ”b.i.t.c.h,” and several other words no woman should be called was a b.l.o.o.d.y awful way for her to start her working day.
The shocked look on her pallid face said she had seen and read all those names. ”Why is he doing this?”
Jonas took her in his arms, liking the way her head fit against his chest far more than he should have done, considering his decision last night to keep his distance. ”It's what usually happens with stalkers. When they receive no response to their overtures, they tend to get nasty.”
She looked up at him in amazement. ”Those letters weren't overtures, they were disgusting. As for the roses... They were just sick.”
”Not to him. He thinks he's paying you a compliment.”
Lily gave a shudder of distaste. ”And how could I have given a response, when I have absolutely no idea who's doing this?”