Both women turned to Brody, who was as serious as he could be. But then…
“You couldn’t help yourself, could you?” his sister accused. “You just had to go and say it again.”
For the first time in what felt like forever, the former SEAL tore his focus away. But it was only for a second, just long enough for him to toss an aggravating wink in his sister’s direction. And then he was looking straight back at Ro.
“I’ll help you look for your things, but if we don’t find them, we’re calling the cops.”
“Thecops?” A rush of denial had Ro shaking her head and turning to Megan. “No. No way.”
Might as well let him. You know he’s going to anyway.
“Brody’s right, Ro.”
“No, he’s not. Look…” She blew out a frustrated breath. “This whole thing has gotten blown way out of proportion. Meg, I’m sorry I worried you. I never should have called you.” A quick turn to Brody. “And I’m sorry you raced all the way over here for nothing. But I’m sure that’s all this is, right? Nothing. I probably just misplaced those things, and I’m going to find them as soon as I stop looking for them.”
An unladylike snort found its way out of Megan’s throat, her brows turning sharply inward as she threw her hands to her popped hips and scowled. “You’ve been in this house, what? Four months?”
“So?”
“So when was the last time you moved that picture of you and your dad? Because I have a very vivid memory of you putting it on your nightstand the day I helped you unpack. And it’s been in that exact same spot every other time I’ve been here.”
Though her focus was on Megan, Ro could feel the weight of Brody’s stare. She didn’t want to answer the question, because if she did, that would mean it was real. That someone really had come into her home—her new home—and they’d taken things that made no sense.
Unless…
“Not to mention, you also said you felt like you were being watched today.”
Oh, crap.
She’d been so obsessed with finding her things—while also trying to convince herself and Megan that therehadn’tbeen a break-in, after all—she’d totally forgotten about that part. Or maybe her brain had purposely blocked it out.
Either way, the unintentional omission had Brody swinging an incredulous look her way. “Someone waswatchingyou?” Disbelief turned to rage. “What the actual fuck, Aurora?”
God, she hated how much that expression on his gorgeous face bothered her. Like she was a complete idiot who’d disappointed him in the biggest of ways.
But she loved it when he used her full name. No one else. Just Brody. Even when he was mad, like now.
He’s never been this mad at you, Ro. Like…ever.
“I forgot, okay? I know that sounds totally made up, but I swear to you, it’s the truth.”
“You forgot.” A statement, rather than a question.
Clearly Brody thought she was full of shit.
“Yes, I forgot.” She defended herself as best she could. “In case you haven’t noticed, I’ve had a lot on my mind since I got home.”
His deep, humorless laugh and snarky shake of his head made Ro want to punch the frustrating man right in his sideways smirk.
Without another word, Brody pulled out his phone and turned away. Head down, he tapped the screen a few times and then put the device to his ear.
“Who are you calling?” she demanded.
So naturally, he ignored her.
Seriously?“So that’s it? You’re not even going to talk to me now?”
“Give him a minute, Ro.” Megan walked over to where she was standing. With a gentle hand to her shoulder, her friend added softly, “You need to trust his instincts with stuff like this. Just like I did with Christian.”