Susan Sleeman - No Way Out

A single light brightened the front porch of her home. It was usually a beacon welcoming her home. But tonight the thick fog cloaked the shadows around the property, creating dark and murky places to hide.

“It would be best if we could park in the garage,” Cole said, obviously on the same wavelength.

Thankfully, Paula’s husband had dropped her off, so her car didn’t block the driveway. Alyssa pressed the remote mounted on the visor. The garage door groaned and protested its age, then rumbled up. Cole expertly slid her large car into the tight space and turned off the motor.

Expecting Dani to join them, Alyssa glanced back, but Dani’s car wasn’t in the driveway or on the road. “Where’s Dani?”

“We didn’t want to risk Saunders seeing her if he was home. She’ll be waiting for me a few blocks away.”

“He isn’t home. He parks on the street and his car isn’t here.” Just the thought of him nearby sent a shiver over her body. She couldn’t imagine how she would’ve handled it if he had been here. She wrapped her arms around her waist.

“Hey.” Cole laid a warm hand on her shoulder. “I won’t let anything happen to you. In fact, I need to check your home to make sure everything’s okay before leaving you alone.”

Did he really think something had happened to Paula and the twins? Not likely. Nolan would never hurt the kids, would he? “If anything’s wrong, Paula would call me.”

He studied her for a moment, then drew in a deep breath. “There’s something we need to get straight, Alyssa. If I’m to do my job and do it right, there will be things I have to do that aren’t optional. This is one of them.” His tone was sharp, his eyes dark. She suddenly felt sorry for Nolan if he ever crossed this man’s path.

“And what am I supposed to tell Paula about you looking through my house?”

“Does she have any connection to the police force or Nolan?”

“Her husband’s a police officer.”

“Then for your own safety, we’ll have to use a cover story. Tell her I’m a client and you wanted me to see the layout of your place.”

She didn’t want to lie to Paula, but she’d do so for her children’s safety. Without another word, she climbed out.

Cole went to the door leading into her house. As he pushed it open, he settled a hand on the weapon he’d holstered at his waist before leaving his rental house. Her concern rose not only for her own safety, but for her children, as well.

He seemed to shake it off, though, and held out his hand. Needing to check on her babies, she rushed inside without a backward glance to see if he followed. On the way to the stairs, she spotted Paula sound asleep on the sofa.

Breathing a sigh of relief for her friend’s safety, Alyssa charged up the steps as sore muscles from her frantic escape from Nolan screamed at her to slow down. But nothing would stop her from making sure the twins were okay.

Cole caught up with her. “The point of me being here is to check things out before you run headfirst into danger.”

“I just need to make sure the twins are fine.”

His eyes softened a bit. “Which room is theirs?”

“Second door on the left,” she answered. “Please be careful not to wake them.”

“They won’t even know I was here.” He moved stealthily down the hallway, his footfalls silent and quick, almost as if he were one of the dark shadows outside. He slipped into the twins’ room and she followed.

“Thank You, Father,” she whispered at the sight of her babies safely in their twin beds.

Cole went straight to the window and closet, then knelt down to check under their beds. Alyssa was thankful she’d recently discovered Riley had been hiding kid’s-meal boxes under his bed. Riley had wanted to use them as blocks to build a fort. Unfortunately, he hadn’t removed all the food, and she’d found petrified French fries.

Cole came to his feet and paused between the twin beds to look down on Riley and Brianna. In the soft light coming from the hallway, Alyssa saw his face soften. He was such an enigma. Tough, strong, unyielding—and here he was smiling softly at her twins.

He suddenly shook off whatever he was feeling and turned. “Let me check the other rooms and then we can go back downstairs.” He left the room as silently as he’d entered.

She went to Brianna’s bed and tucked the blanket up to her chin. After running a hand over her soft curls, Alyssa kissed her daughter’s forehead. She moved to Riley’s bed and found his comforter decorated with colorful footballs dangling at the end. She tugged it up and pressed a kiss on his cheek. He stirred, then turned over and settled deep into the covers.

Thank You, Lord, for giving me these beautiful children, and keep us all safe through the night. Alyssa headed for the hall where she met Cole.

He held up a hand. “Wait here while I confirm the first floor is clear.”

Knowing better than to try to argue, she sat down on the top step to wait. He returned in a few moments and motioned for her to join him. When she reached the first floor, she found him at the front door.

“Everything’s secure,” he whispered, likely to keep from waking Paula, and pulled open the door.

“So will I see you tomorrow?” she asked, suddenly feeling very alone.

“It’d be a good idea to get together for a status update. Where do you usually meet clients?”

“At my office or a coffee shop.”

“If we meet for coffee you won’t have to explain who I am to your coworkers.”

“Good thinking.” She gave him the location of the place she usually frequented. “Ten would be a typical time I’d meet a client.”

“Then ten o’clock it is.” He looked at her for a few moments, seeming to memorize everything about her. She figured with his skills he’d already done so, but this look was softer, as if he didn’t want to leave her alone.

Touched by his kindness, she smiled her thanks. He pulled back, as if she’d branded him.

“If you need anything tonight,” he stepped onto the porch, “I’ll be standing watch outside.”

She’d thought he’d drop her off and go home. “I can’t let you stay outside all night. Not in this weather.”

“Trust me. I’ve had to stand duty in much worse.”

She didn’t want to impose on him any more tonight, but the iron resolve on his face said it was useless to argue, so she stood in the doorway until he disappeared into the foggy night.

As she reached for the door, she spotted Nolan’s car turning onto her street. She quickly closed the door and locked it. She rushed through the room, turning out lights. Hopefully she’d snapped them off before Nolan discovered she was awake and stopped by to question her about the night.

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