Keeping Guard by Christy Barritt Page A

lull in customers, Nate excused himself and went upstairs to his apartment. He picked up his cell phone and dialed Bruce’s number. He’d been thinkingabout everything that Kylie had told him and now he wanted the inside scoop from his friend.
    Bruce answered on the first ring, his voice tight, worried.
    Nate assured him everything was okay. “I want to ask you about this man who’s been following Kylie. She told me he broke into her house yesterday.”
    â€œWe searched for clues as to this guy’s identity, but we haven’t found anything yet. Whoever he is, he’s good. Leaves no detail unnoticed. He’s been like that since the be ginning.”
    Nate narrowed his eyes. “Everyone screws up sometime. Everyone.”
    â€œThat’s what we’re counting on.”
    Nate shifted his weight, looking out his window at three cars that pulled in front of the restaurant. They’d need his help downstairs soon, but right now he had to get more information. “Any update on the sting?”
    â€œIt’s scheduled for Friday. We want to make sure we do this right, with no mistakes.” Bruce’s voice held no room for question. “I’m afraid that if this guy ever sees Kylie again, her life will be on the line. This isn’t someone who’s just playing a game anymore. This guy is obsessed.”
    Nate bristled at his friend’s words, at once glad that Kylie was here. “You think this guy knows where she went?”
    â€œWe’re telling people she’s on a road trip, trying to get some more inspiration and do some research for her cooking show. I won’t feel safe until this guy is behind bars. He always seems to be one step ahead of us.”
    One step ahead of them. Maybe this guy was someone who knew Kylie personally or who could eavesdrop on her at work. “There was nothing in her apartment that would indicate where she’d gone, right? Do we need to find somewhere else for her to stay?”
    â€œNo, we don’t think so. She said the only place she wroteyour address down was on her notebook, but she tore that sheet off and brought it with her. We think she’s safe. Believe me, the moment I start thinking she’s in danger again, you’ll be one of the first people who knows.” Bruce paused a moment. “How’s it going so far? Is she holding up okay?”
    Nate contemplated his answer. “She’s jumpy, which is to be expected. But she’s been a big help in the kitchen. When I suggested, however, that she go nowhere alone, she got a bit miffed at me.”
    â€œShe doesn’t like people fussing over her. But she doesn’t have much choice in this situation. Besides, she’ll get over it. She always does.”
    â€œGood to know. Thanks, Bruce.”
    â€œCall me anytime, especially if anything suspicious happens. In the meantime, I’ll keep you updated on what’s happening here. I hope to end this nightmare once and for all.”
    â€œFor Kylie’s sake, I hope you do, too.”
    He hung up the phone and tried not to think about the possibility that Kylie’s stalker had any clue she was here in Yorktown. But Bruce’s words rang in his head. He always seems to be one step ahead of us. Nate prayed he wasn’t one step ahead of them this time.

SEVEN
    K ylie scrubbed the inside of the refrigerator with enough tenacity to even make a military man proud.
    Anything beat talking to Nate at this point, and since the dining room was empty and the fridge needed to be cleaned, she decided to stay busy rather than risk a conversation. He was proving himself to be bossy and overprotective, two qualities that she abhorred.
    Yet why did she seem drawn to those very types? She scrubbed even harder. Her ex-boyfriend had been the alpha male type. But the strength she’d originally been attracted to she’d eventually begun to despise. Colin liked to assert himself, tell