Chapter 44

Shirley

Just seconds after I’ve received the second message, there’s a knock at the front door - causing me to nearly jump out of my skin as I quietly yelp. I look toward the entryway with fear filling my every nerve, waiting as I anticipate multiple knocks to follow - or even a neverending chiming from my doorbell.

But as I practically hold my breath, I find that neither of those things happen. There was only a single knock and then nothing - just pure silence. Slowly, I make my way toward the door, trying to get a better view of it - even if I know I won’t be able to see who’s standing on my doorstep. Still, I wait for more telling sounds, soon hearing one as there’s another knock. But it’s gentle, not at all menacing as someone raps their knuckles against the wood before they withdraw again.

My tormentor wouldn’t do that…would they? Well, I suppose it would make perfect sense for them to try and coax me out. They’d make me lower my defenses, relax a little, and then they’d take advantage of their opening.

Thoughts of opening the door and having someone grab me fill my mind, causing me to tense once more. However, I still make it into the entryway, stopping a foot from the door as I listen to see if maybe the person has decided to leave. But if this is the same person who’d been here last night, I assume they won’t give up that easily.

Needing to know for sure, I step up to the door, raising up on my tiptoes as I dare to look out the peephole. I’d refused to use it before because I didn’t want anyone to notice my presence if they stared back through, but now it felt like my only option. Finally, I release a breath as I steady, peering out at who is waiting for me. And then my heels fall back down to the ground, my brow quirking as my hand already reaches to unlock the door and then pull it open.

“Keith?” I ask as the man is revealed to me, his head turning back to me as if he were just about to leave. “What are you doing here?”

Keith shifts his body so he’s fully facing me again, looking at me with his usual blank expression. At least tonight it doesn’t seem tense or distant.

“I wanted to come check on you,” he informs me and it takes everything not to snap my head back in surprise. “After what happened last night and everything else going on, I figured I should make sure you’re alright.”

How unexpected…but kind. It was nice of him to think of me, but I would have never anticipated Keith to go to these measures. But I suppose it would be normal for an Alpha or boss to visit their “employee” after they’d experienced such a scare.

Professional, I tell myself - even as Keith’s scent wafts toward me as he leans his weight from one foot to another. I try to mentally wave it away as I blink at him, noticing him glancing toward our feet.

“No dead rabbits today - if that’s what you’re wondering,” I tell him, trying to add a little humor to my voice. I’m hoping that it carries as I watch Keith look back up at me.

“Do you want to come in?” I ask him, not sure where the hell that idea came from. But already, my body appears to have a mind of its own as I step back and offer some space for him to slide through. As I come back to my senses, I wait as I assume he’ll turn me down or promptly take two steps back. Only, Keith surprises me again as he moves a foot forward.

“Thank you,” he offers plainly, entering my home and walking right past me.

Holy Goddess. Seriously, why does he smell like heaven? Has he also smelled like this?

With Keith’s back toward me, I give a good shake of my head before I close the door and turn toward him. Just as he swivels to glance back, I jump at the idea to gain us more space then the entryway can provide, causing me to go toward the kitchen.

“I was just making some coffee,” I say, leading the way as he eventually follows. “Would you like some?”

“Coffee?” Keith asks, and I look back just in time to see his quirked brow. “At this time of night?”

I shrug. “Better late than never.”

“I don’t think that’s true,” Keith insists as I’m already pouring myself a cup. “If you drink it too late then you’ll be up all night.”

I hum in reply, hiding a smirk. “You sound like an old maid,” I tease, surprised that I’ve taken on such a tone. But I can’t stop myself from laughing. “You need to live a little.”

I then pause, pulling down another mug before I fill it halfway. I turn to Keith, giving a coy look as I slide it over.

“Give it a try,” I insist.

Keith snorts in return, but for once it seems in good humor rather than in frustration. “I’ve lived plenty,” he states. “And I didn’t need to be cracked up on caffeine at eight p.m. to do it.”

However, despite his comment, Keith still appeases me as he lifts the mug to his lips, hesitating to sip the dark liquid as steam rises from the surface. For a moment, I don’t realize that my gaze is locked on his lips, not until he actually does take a drink and I flick my eyes up to see he’s watching me with amusement.

“So?” I ask, clearing my throat.

“No immediate effects,” he says, lowering the mug again. “But I’ll keep you updated.”

I roll my eyes at that, turning away as I focus on adding cream and sugar to my coffee. Finally, I take my own drink, enjoying the warm liquid before I look back at him.

“How have things been going?” I ask, attempting to keep things casual, and not glance back at his mouth as he quickly licks his lips.

“Fine,” he states and I’m sure that it’s all he’s going to say. I didn’t really want more - instead, I only wanted to confirm that he wasn’t buried under a never ending pile of stress. But Keith surprises me as he offers a little more info.

“We’ve finally found a lead on who’s behind the protests and we’re hoping to put an end to things soon,” he explains.

No wonder he seems in a slightly better mood - from what I can tell. Perhaps that’s why he accepted my invitation to come inside and share a handful of pleasantries rather than scolding looks. Though it’s a little different and even odd, I can’t say that I despise it.

“That’s good,” I reply, feeling genuine delight. “One less thing to worry about.”

“Exactly,” he says with a nod.

At least he’s going to cross one thing off the list. I know the she-wolves and my stalker are still a concern, causing me to think back to the message I received. I consider that it’s probably worth mentioning to him as the bunny emojis have to tie the sender to the animals left on my doorstep.

However, now doesn’t seem like the time. Not when Keith looks like he’s in the smallest of good moods and being able to experience it for myself makes me even more reluctant to take it away. I like seeing him this way…

So the text can wait, and I can let Keith enjoy his evening for the time being. It’ll be nice to have one thing off his plate at least, especially because the protests ending will mean the plans for the company can progress faster. But then again, I can’t help but feel a little sad about that.

The company wrapping up preparations and going live will inevitably lead to my job ending. I won’t have a purpose or reason to stay with Lock Heart anymore and will have to travel back to the west. Remorse seems to dance under my skin at that thought, only becoming stronger as I sneak a glance toward Keith. But just as he’s about to look back, a noise startles my sadness straight out of me.

A loud thump can be heard against the house, sending fear through me as I jump straight toward Keith. I don’t know what caused me to go to him, but suddenly I’m against him, feeling his arms wrap around my waist to catch me. I try not to focus on the warmth of him as I pant.

“What was that?” I brush out, my wild eyes snapping to the windows. My heart is racing, but I’m no longer sure if it’s caused by the interruption or suddenly feeling Keith's breath sweeping toward my face.

“A bird,” he murmurs. “It hit the window.”

Oh. Just a bird - a harmless and insignificant bird. Not my stalker throwing rocks toward the house.

Finally, I release a sigh in relief, but another breath almost immediately catches in my throat after. I’m still right against Keith, my hands pressed to his chest. Swiftly, I flick my eyes to him, meeting his gaze that is dark and pinned right on me.

Shoot. Is he mad that I basically threw myself at him? I can’t tell. I can never truly tell when he chooses to be subtle. So I decide to play it safe.

“Sorry,” I tumble out as I step away from him, peeling my body away as I slide out of his arms. When we’re finally a few steps away, I swallow as we keep staring at one another.

Or rather, Keith seems to be studying me. There’s a gentle furrow in his brow as he regards me, his features appearing as if he’s either discovered something or he’s deep in contemplation. I wait for him to tell me whatever it is that he’s found, feeling my toes nearly wiggle as I can’t imagine the outcome.

But Keith doesn’t voice any of his thoughts, he just stays quiet as I watch him, seeing as he suddenly chugs the rest of his coffee before placing the mug back on the counter.

“Thank you for the refreshments,” he says as he steps away. “But I should probably go.”

And before I can properly comprehend his words or actions, Keith is gone. But when I hear the door close and notice his heat fading, his scent drifting away - I hear a voice deep within me whisper.

Keep it professional.