Chapter 44

“I’m on my way home from Thailand right now. When I get there, I want to check on you, check your brothers, the house.”

“Is someone still threatening you?”

“Yes. Sending creepy e-mails and leaving menacing messages. I don’t know who I’ve pissed off, or how serious he is. You know crackpots, and some never get past the threatening stage. But this one has mentioned you and said he’ll hurt you to hurt me.”

“This isn’t new, and nothing has ever happened to me.”

“There’s always a first. This one seems tenacious, so I’d feel better if you didn’t go anywhere alone right now. Remember your self-defense. I can’t persuade you to carry, can I?”

Unease sliced through her, razor-thin but impossible to get complacent and let their guard down. Who knew if this guy fit that profile?

“I’m not getting a permit to carry a handgun. I’ll be fine. I’m surrounded by people here.”

Her dad growled into the phone, like he wanted to say something more, but knew it was a futi