“We’ll be there tomorrow, early afternoon,” he said. It was about a six-hour drive, one he hoped he could spare Livie.
“Call me when you get close, and I’ll meet you here.”
“Will do.” After Kendall disconnected the call, he pulled his own phone from his pocket. “I need to call Gray, tell him what’s going on. Would you have a problem with Livie staying with him and Harlow while we’re gone? I don’t think this is a trip she needs to be on.”
“If they’re okay with that, yes.” She buried her face in her hands. “He was in my house, Cooper. In Livie’s room.”
Her words were muffled because of her hands over her mouth, but he heard the despair in them. As for him, he was enraged. Her home, her safe place, had been violated.
She dropped her hands to her lap. “I don’t know if I can ever live there again.”
“Let’s not think about that tonight, okay? I need to call Gray. Why don’t you pack what you’ll need to take and what Livie will need for a few days?”
Before she could walk away, he caught her hand and pulled her to him. “I know you’re upset and scared, and you have every right to be. But hear me on this, Kendall. You’re not alone. I’m right here and I’ll be by your side until this is over.” And if he had his way, still by her side after it was over. “I’ll keep you safe.”
She rested her head on his chest. “I know.”
“Good.” He pressed his lips to the top of her head. “Now go pack while I call Gray. We’ll get an early start in the morning.”
When they arrived at Kendall’s house, Rossi was parked in the driveway, waiting for them. Crime tape crisscrossed her front door. Cooper glanced over at her. Her gaze was on that door, and her eyes reminded him of those soldiers who’d seen too much and were checking out. The thousand-yard stare, they called it.
“Kens.” He waited for her to look at him. When she just kept staring at her door, he said her name again, louder this time, with command in his voice.
Her head jerked, and she threw him an irritated glance. “What?”
“Just this.” He leaned across the console and kissed her. “He’s not in there. He’s not in control. He’s not worth your fear. He doesn’t deserve it. Don’t give it to him.”
She rapidly blinked as if coming out of a trance, then she nodded, her hand reaching for his and, when finding it, holding on as if her life depended on her connection to him. “I won’t give it to him,” she whispered.
“That’s my girl.”
Resolve hardened her eyes. “Let’s do this.”
He exited the car, and by the time he reached her side, she was out and marching toward the detective. Cooper stayed a few steps behind her. This was her show, and she needed to feel in control. But he’d be right here next to her, ready to support her in whatever way she needed.
She stopped in front of Rossi. “Is it really bad?” Her gaze went to her house. “In there?”
“I’m afraid it is, but there’s something I want to warn you about before you go in.”
Cooper stepped close enough to Kendall that she’d feel his presence at her back.I’ve got your six, baby,he thought. He didn’t like the wariness in Rossi’s eyes.
“What is it?” Kendall said.
“There’s a single rose on your bed along with a note. It says, ‘You can’t hide from me forever, Kendall.’ We’ll take it for evidence, but I thought you should see it before we did.”
When she shuddered, he took her hand and squeezed. “He’s playing games, Kens, trying to mess with your head. I know it’s not easy, but don’t let him.”
“You’re right. It’s not easy.”
“Ready to go in?” Rossi asked.
She eyed her house again, and Cooper thought she was debating the answer to that question, that she’d just as soon get in his truck and leave. He put his hand on her back, wishing he could send her courage through his fingertips.
“Yes.” She straightened her shoulders and lifted her chin. “I am.”
He was proud of her.
Rossi led the way, and when he reached the door, he tore the crime scene tape off. “We didn’t have a key, so we left the door unlocked. If you have a spare you can give me, we can lock up when we leave.”