Chapter 112

Alaric’s POV

Colin just stares at me, which only adds to my worry, which makes me frustrated as well.

“If I need to protect Cara, I’d like to know what from,” I say, pressing.

Colin presses his lips hard together. Then, finally, he speaks, “We don’t know. I’ve conferred with Eamon on this already this morning, first thing, and we compared notes. She was acting nervous with him yesterday, feeling like someone followed her.”

“That’s why he called me to come and get her,” I say.

“Yes,” Colin says. “Then, last night, she heard knocking on her door. There were three knocks, and only the third one was someone she knew. The first two, she called out and no one answered. After the person she knew left, she called me. I came over and slept on her couch. Nothing else happened after that.”

Guilt surges through me hot and fast. I had a bad feeling as I stood outside of her door last night. Not because I had myself detected anything out of the ordinary, but because she was so clearly upset by something.

“I did two laps around the house before I left,” I tell him. Still, it wasn’t enough. I should have stayed there. I should have camped out outside of her door if that’s what it took to make her feel safe.

“She wouldn’t want you to trouble yourself,” Colin says. “I’m asking you to get her home from work, but not to stay. If she sees you lurking, she will be upset.”

“I understand,” I say, even though I hate it. I want to protect Cara with all of my being, but I don’t want to overstep the boundaries she has for me. I’m trying to win her heart at the same time, and overstepping would work against me.

This is a dangerous game. I feel like I’m walking on a knife’s edge, unsure which way is the right one, when leaning too far in either direction would be my undoing.

Colin simply nods at me, then turns and walks away.

I decide not to get coffee that morning, already jittery enough, and turn around to head back to the hotel.

There is much to think about.

Cara’s POV

Colin wanted to walk me to work this morning, but I refused. Last night was a fluke, and I am no coward. I won’t be held back from my usual work because of a probably wrong gut feeling.

Even so, I’m nervous the entire way to the office. Only when I am in the bustling building, surrounded by coworkers I recognize and know, do I start to relax.

My office is near Eamon’s so he sticks his head out to greet me when I approach.

“How are you feeling today, Cara?” he asks me.

“I’m fine,” I assure him.

His features do not change, they stay friendly, but there’s a hint of worry in his eyes. I ignore it for now.

No more scares today, I decide. I will have a normal day and prove to everyone that I’m not losing my mind.

Things go well for the first half of the day. Around lunchtime, I’m surprised by a knock at my door. It’s Noel, and he’s carrying a bag of food in containers.

“I hope you don’t mind,” he says. “After startling you so badly last night, I wanted to do something nice for you today to make up for it.”

“It wasn’t your fault,” I reply. “In fact, I’ve been hoping to apologize…”

“No need,” he assures me. He steps into my office. “I made too much parmesan chicken last night. I thought you might enjoy some leftovers with me? There’s mashed potatoes too, and extra gravy.”

My mouth is already watering. “There’s a microwave in the breakroom.”

His smile widens. “I’ll be right back.” Then he disappears out the door.

Maybe I shouldn’t accept. After all, I don’t fully know if I can trust him. On the other hand, Landon supports him and has suggested I get to know him more before I decide. A lunch date, especially with food he made that smells so delicious, seems harmless, right?

Noel returns quickly with piping hot cheesy chicken and potatoes on a paper plate. He places it gently in front of me, then hands me a fork. He has a second one for his own plate which he holds as he sits across from me opposite the desk.

Seeing he is eagerly waiting for my reaction to his food, I set aside my work and lift my fork. Taking a piece of the chicken, I lift it to my mouth and bite.

Oh. My. Gods.

It is a flavor explosion in my mouth. Everything is so savory and delicious. How could he make this happen with just chicken? Immediately I go back for a second bite.

He smiles wide at my eagerness. “You like it?”

My mouth too full to talk, I just nod.

“Good,” he says. “It’s a great compliment to a chef when their patron continues eating.”

I take a few more bites, then look up at him. “This is so delicious, Noel. How did you learn to do all this?”

His smile softens slightly. “I’ve been on my own for some time,” he says. “I grew tired of eating takeout every night and decided to learn for myself.”

“You taught yourself?”

“Trial and error,” Noel says. “At first, it was difficult, but now it is something of a passion of mine. I love to cook, and… well, I won’t rush things. Let me just say that I would like to continue cooking for you.”

With the promise of meals like this one, I can’t turn that down. Perhaps there truly is no harm in befriending Noel, and seeing how things go.

“Thank you,” I tell him.

“Honestly,” Noel says, placing his hand to his heart. “It gives me great joy to see you enjoy my work.”

I’m still not sure, but I really hope he’s as genuine as Landon says.

At the end of the day, I finish my work early, and decide to head out. I want to stop on the way to get a few treats for the kids. They’ve been so good and patient lately, not complaining at all about my return to work. They should be rewarded for being such little troopers.

The day has gone so well that most of what’s happened the previous day has gone out of my mind. I feel confident again and somewhat happy. I’m still nervous about my future, and what it means to have two suitors trying for my hand. Still, the sky is bright and I feel good.

I think today is going to be a good day.

But then, I see the glint of something shiny. It almost doesn’t seem real. How can there be a blade there? Flying this way?

Flying straight for me?

Before I can think to react, to even fully process what I’m seeing, someone plows into me and tackles me down onto the sidewalk. They cradle the back of my head though, protecting it from the hard concrete.

The knife clanks against the wall of the building and then clatters harmlessly on the ground.

I cling to the body protectively covering me. The feel, the scent, it’s a man I am incredibly familiar with.

Alaric just saved my life.