Lightbringer by Frankie Robertson Read Free Book Online Page B

she know? She couldn’t just take his word for it.
    “What cameras? Show me.”
    Jared sighed, shifted her in his arms so she could see, nuzzling her ear. “There’s one in the bookcase here—no, don’t stare—one in the spare bedroom, and one in yours.”
    It was hard to look without being obvious, and hard to concentrate while his lips were caressing her cheek. She couldn’t see anything. No, there . She saw a glint of light that shouldn’t be there. A tiny camera lens. She was both horrified and relieved.
    Truth. He’s been telling the truth .
    “There are mics too. And a tap on your phone,” he whispered.
    Cassie’s stomach went sour. This can’t be happening again . She was going to be sick. She pushed Jared away. He let her go, but followed her to the bathroom and shut the door behind them.
    When she’d finished losing her dinner, he helped her sit on the commode, put a cool cloth on the back of her neck, and left the water running. “So what’s it going to be, my place or the hotel?” He spoke quietly, but he didn’t whisper.
    There must not be any mics or cameras in here . She took small comfort in knowing that whoever had bugged her house hadn’t just watched her toss her cookies. “Neither. I don’t care if the guy who planted the cameras knows we found them or not. I want them gone . I have proof now that someone was here. I’m calling the police.”

CHAPTER 5

    DAMN.
    Jared crossed his arms and leaned against the sink, effectively blocking the door. Normally he’d think calling the police a good thing. The more people watching Cassie the better. But if an Apostate was involved, that would just mean more people dead. “You could do that. Of course, anyone who could break into your house without leaving a trace is probably smart enough not to leave any fingerprints behind either.”
    “So?” Cassie stood and dropped the washcloth in the sink.
    Jared struggled not to be distracted. In the tiny bathroom they were almost nose to chest. The scent of jasmine and pure Cassie rose like an intoxicating perfume from her hair. “So what do you think the police can do? They’ll take a statement, dust for prints, make a report, and enter the information into a database. Maybe they’ll drive by your place a couple times. And you still won’t know who invaded your privacy.”
    “At least I’ll have done something!” Her face was still pale, but she propped her hands on her hips, challenging him.
    “And then?” Jared asked.
    “Then I go on with my life.”
    “Whoever did this won’t give up just because you call the police. If you remove the surveillance equipment he’ll just do something else.” Jared hated scaring her, but she had to understand.
    Cassie’s eyes widened and her arms dropped to her sides. “Like what?”
    “That depends on why he planted the bugs in the first place. Do you know anyone who would do this?” Anyone who would ally himself with a chaotic being of destruction?
    Cassie bit her lip as she wrapped her arms across her middle. Her voice was small when she spoke. “He wouldn’t.”
    “He, who?”
    Cassie hesitated a long moment before answering. “Andy.”
    The mysterious Andy he’d heard mentioned in the ladies’ room. The one Linda called “The Jerk.” Jared swallowed. Whatever had happened between this Andy and Cassie hadn’t been good. “But he’s the one who comes to mind. Why?”
    Cassie shrugged. “It’s old news. He wouldn’t do this.”
    “Does he have a key?”
    “No. I bought this place after he left. Besides, he’s in Denver.”
    “When was the last time you saw or heard from him?”
    Cassie glared up at him, her exasperation clear on her face. “Four years ago. I told you. He’s old news.”
    Clearly, the memory was painful. Jared wanted to pull her close, feel her curves pressed against him, keep her safe in the circle of his arms. But his embrace would be a poor defense against an Apostate, and he doubted Cassie would welcome