Page 74 of Keeping Amanda
“Holy shit! How the hell would they get my address?”
“I don’t know. And that’s why we’re leaving. Whoever sent this knows where you live. Go pack. Whatever you need for at least a week. I’m not going to risk you staying here and having this not be some sick prank or an empty threat.”
“Where are we going?”
“My place. It’s doubtful anyone will knowmyname or where I live. But even if they do, my apartment is more secure than yours. Everyone has to be buzzed into the building. You can stay with me until we figure this out. Until Tex gets back to us with intel.”
“I don’t want to be a bother,” Mandy said softly.
Turning, Buck took her face in his hands. “You willneverbe a bother. You don’t think I want you in my space? My bed? I do.”
“But you haven’t complained about staying here.”
“Of course not. Because this is your home. Where you’re comfortable. But things have changed. Circumstances have changed. I won’t risk your well-being, Mandy. We could go to a hotel, but my place will be more comfortable. For you and Rain.”
“I don’t know what to say.”
“Don’t say anything. Go pack. I’ll get Rain’s things together out here. Grab whatever will spoil from the fridge too.”
“I don’t like this. I mean, I love that I’ll be with you, but Idon’t like being forced out of my home. Being threatened. Not knowing what the hell is going on.”
“I don’t either, which is why I’m going to figure it out. Fix this.”
Mandy leaned against him and wrapped her arms around his waist. “I don’t want you to get sick of me. To resent me being in your space.”
“I won’t. I couldn’t. Iwantyou in my space. I’d think you’d have figured that out by now, considering how much I hog your bed when we’re in it together. I can’t get enough of you, Rebel. I love being around you, near you, inside you. That’s another reason I have no problem with you working on base. Our relationship is not like anything I’ve ever experienced in the past. The more I’m around you, the more Iwantto be around you. Dead stop. So this isn’t a bad thing. I hate the reason you’re moving in with me, but I love the fact that you’ll be there. That your things will be mingled with mine. That you’ll be in my shower, my bed, my kitchen. Okay?”
“If you’re sure…” she said hesitatingly.
The fact that she wasn’t protesting, insisting she could stay at her place, that she wasn’t scared of the threats in the letter, was telling. She was probably terrified, but protesting because she thought it was what she should do. He’d do whatever he needed to in order to make sure she realized he honestly wanted her at his apartment and it was no hardship for him whatsoever.
“I’m sure,” he said firmly.
“Okay. I won’t be long.”
Buck nodded and let go of her when she pulled away. He had things he needed to do. Phone calls to make. Things to pack. But he took a moment to close his eyes and breathe. They’d make it through this. They had to. The alternative was unthinkable.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Amanda couldn’t help but feel as if she had a huge cloud over her head. Like something was going to happen. Even though, ever since she and Rain had moved into Nash’s apartment, things had been good. It was a weird dichotomy. Waiting for the other shoe to fall while absolutely loving the direction her life had taken.
She’d gotten in touch with the principal at the school on the base, and he was thrilled she was interested in the long-term sub position. It wouldn’t start for another month, and she had to apply, but Amanda was fairly sure she was going to get it.
She had also applied for an online program to upgrade her certificate. She had to take some classes but the process didn’t seem too complicated, which was a relief.
Rain had settled into Nash’s apartment as if he’d always been there. The only difference between a week ago and now was that the dog wouldn’t let Amanda out of his sight. Instead of sleeping in the living area, he now had a second bed in Nash’s bedroom. When she got up to pee, Rain went with her and sat outside the door while she did her thing. They’d also had to put his bed in the living area in a place where he could see her in the kitchen,when she was in there helping Nash. It seemed as if even the dog felt the tension in the air, and evenhewas worried about the letter she’d received in the mail. Either that, or he was still remembering the strangers who’d come to her apartment and was waiting for more.
Things with Nash were better than ever. She’d never lived with a man before, but Nash was surprisingly easy to cohabitate with. He cleaned up after himself, didn’t expect her to do all the chores, even though she was at home during the day while he was at work, and he’d eagerly made room in his closet and dresser for her things.
But while her personal and professional life were going well, Amanda still felt a sense of unease. She’d tried to get a hold of anyone down in Guyana every day since receiving the threatening letter, and no one ever picked up the phone. Nash’s friend Tex had confirmed that everything at the school and orphanage seemed to be operating as usual. The rebels hadn’t kidnapped anyone, and there wasn’t any unusual digital activity. He was still researching to see what he could dig up around the time of Amanda and the kids’ actual kidnapping, but so far he hadn’t found anything pointing to Blair’s involvement.
Nash was getting anxious, because his Night Stalker team was preparing to deploy soon. He couldn’t say where or for how long, but it was obvious he was reluctant to leave when things with her situation were unresolved. Honestly, Amanda didn’t really want him to go either, but what choice did they have? He had a job to do, and she would never make him choose between her and doing what he loved.
The only thing in Amanda’s life thatwasn’tgreat, was that she didn’t leave Nash’s apartment without him. She felt cooped up. She was grateful to have a safe place to hunker down while his friend looked into what the hell was happening, but she still felt stifled.
She’d been reading books, playing games on her laptop, starting early on the lessons she had to complete in order to get her new certification…but she was still bored. And nervous about her future.
After Nash went to work that morning, a week after she’d received the threatening letter, and after a few hours of doing busy work to keep her mind occupied, Amanda decided it was time for her daily call to the school in Guyana. She was desperate to talk to someone,anyone, about what was going on down there.
