Page 28 of Ruthless Possession
"You were on deployment. What could you have done?" Her fingers trace patterns on my chest. "Besides, I wasn't sure. It could have been the cleaning staff, or one of the other teachers."
"You knew it wasn't."
She sighs. "I suspected. But I didn't have proof."
"We have proof now." I think of Evan's face when he saw us at the day care. The momentary shock, though quickly masked. "He didn't expect to see us there."
"He asked about you," Morgan says. "When I told him you were my partners, his whole expression changed."
The possessive anger I'd felt at the clubhouse returns, a red haze at the edges of my vision. I've spent six years learning to control my rage.
"We need to be smart about this," I say, forcing calm into my voice. "We can't just go in swinging. We need to know who we're dealing with."
Morgan's hand stills on my chest. "What does that mean?"
"It means Greyson's on it. The club will find out if there's anything in his past: restraining orders, accusations, anything. We'll know what he's capable of."
"And if there isn't?"
"Then he sees us," I say, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "He sees you're not alone. That's our first move."
She's quiet for a long time. "He preys on people who are alone," she whispers. "Like Charlie."
"Like Charlie," I agree, the name settling like a stone in my gut. Sleep is impossible after that. I lie awake until dawn, mapping out the day ahead, my mind already working through possibilities, contingencies.
By the time Morgan and Matthew stir, I've formulated a plan.
"We'll take two cars again," I tell them over coffee. "I'll drive Morgan to work. Matthew, you meet with Greyson, see what he's found out."
Matthew nods, his face serious. "And if Evan shows up?"
"We handle it," I say simply. "But carefully. We can't give him anything to use against us."
Morgan pushes her breakfast around her plate. "What if he does something today? While you're gone?"
I take her hand. "I'll stay until Matthew gets there. We won't leave you alone."
The drive to the day care is quiet. Morgan stares out the window, her thoughts clearly heavy.
"What if we're wrong?" she asks finally. "What if he's just an awkward single dad who doesn't know how to interact with women?"
I glance at her. "Do you believe that?"
She's quiet for a long moment. "No."
The day care looks different in the morning light, still colorful, still welcoming, but now I see the shadows, the blind spots, the places where someone could watch without being seen.
"I'll walk you in," I say, parking the truck.
Ms. Davis is waiting at the entrance, her expression tight with concern. "Morgan, Trenton, I was hoping to catch you before the day starts."
"What's wrong?" Morgan asks immediately.
Ms. Davis glances around, lowering her voice. "Evan Harris called this morning. He's pulled Charlie from our program. Effective immediately."
Morgan's face pales. "What? Why?"
"He didn't give a reason. Just said he'd found alternative childcare arrangements." Ms. Davis sighs. "I'm so sorry, Morgan. I know you were concerned about Charlie."
