Page 80 of Jenna's Protector
“Carter would have my hide if I left you unprotected.” He shakes his head, but his wistful glance outside says he wants to be with Malia, not stuck guarding me.
“I won’t be unprotected,” I assure him. “Max is here, and he won’t let anything happen to me. Plus, Carter just texted. He’s on his way.”
As if on cue, Max trots over, his tail wagging as he leans against my leg. I reach down, scratching him behind the ears, taking comfort in his solid, steady presence.
“I should wait until Carter gets here.” Walt’s gaze flicks between me and the street, but his eagerness is palpable.
“It’s fine,” I insist. “Carter will be here before you know it. Besides, you and Malia deserve some time together, and I don’t want to be the one to make you late. I’ve got this. Nothing is going to happen to me. I’ll lock the doors behind you and finish cleaning up. What could happen?”
He hesitates, but the lure of a night with Malia must be too strong to resist because he finally nods, a grin splitting his face.
“Alright, but you call if anything feels off, you hear? Call mewhen Carter gets here.” His shoulders relax slightly, and a grateful smile spreads across his face.
“Aye aye, Captain. I’ll report in promptly.” I snap to attention and give a mock salute.
He chuckles, shaking his head. “Just make sure you do.”
“I will. Now go before she thinks you stood her up.”
With a ruffle of Max’s fur, Walt heads out, the bell jingling cheerfully as the door closes behind him. When I don’t immediately lock the door, he raps on the glass, making the entire door shake. I shake my head, roll my eyes, and turn the lock with an exaggerated flair. Walt, ever protective, checks to ensure the door is locked. I grin when the lock holds.
“Go. I’ll be fine.” I give a little finger wave followed by a shooing gesture.
Walt returns a flagrant eye roll, but there’s a spring to his step as he leaves for his date with Malia.
I focus on the simple, repetitive tasks of cleaning, letting the familiarity soothe my frayed nerves. The hum of the refrigerator, the clink of mugs as I stack them, and the soft thump of Max’s tail against the floor are the sounds of a normal day.
A normal life.
I glance at the clock, frowning. Carter should be here by now, but the minutes tick by, and there’s no sign of him, no familiar silhouette outside the glass, and no comforting jingle of the bell above the door.
Not that there would be a jingle with the door locked.
I pull out my phone, checking for missed calls or messages, and see a message from Carter. He’s running late.
I’m just about to call him, when a sudden knock makes me jump.
Max is instantly alert. Instead of his tail wagging, a low growl rumbles in his chest as he stares at the front door. His body is tense and ready. Ready to protect.
I peer through the glass and see a ghost from my past.
“Sophia?” Her name falls from my lips, barely more than a whisper.
TWENTY-NINE
Jenna
Sophia looks different,her once vibrant eyes are haunted and hollow. Her cheeks are gaunt, the bones jutting out sharply, and her clothes hang loosely from her too-thin frame as if she hasn’t eaten or rested properly in months. Once glossy and full of life, her hair lies limp and unkempt around her shoulders.
But it’s her.
There’s no mistaking it.
I rush to the door, my hands shaking as I fumble with the lock. A million questions race through my mind, but they all fall away as I pull the door open.
Sophia stumbles inside, collapsing into my arms.
“Jenna,” she sobs, her voice ragged and raw. “Is it really you?”