She nodded, then lowered her voice as she flipped a pancake. “This house belongs to the grandma of a friend of Jed’s.”

“Where is she?”

“She’s in Arizona for the winter. The friend stays here while she’s gone to keep an eye on the place.”

“Where’s the friend?”

“Somewhere else,” Skeeter said from behind me. “And he’ll keep quiet, so we should be safe for now, but I’d rather wrap up this situation before anyone figures out where we’re holed up.”

“You mean J.R.?”

“Among other people.” He scowled as his gaze landed on me. “I’ve had a few calls from your boyfriend, each one progressively more threatening.”

I tried to steady my nerves.

“You need to call him and tell him I haven’t abducted you before he sends the state police lookin’ for you.”

I nodded, setting Muffy down on the floor. “I’ll take care of it.”

I went back to the bedroom, but Muffy stayed close to my heels, so I picked her up and set her on the bed. I found my phone in the pocket of the jeans I’d left on the floor by the foot of the bed. I’d missed five calls from Mason and two from Joe, as well as multiple texts.

I sat down on the edge of the bed, rubbing Muffy behind the ears. Rather than listen to the messages, I called Mason straightaway.

“Rose?” he asked, sounding hopeful and worried. “Are you okay?”

Muffy’s head popped up, and she looked up at the phone.

I stroked her head. “I’m fine.”

“Are you with Skeeter?”

“Yeah.” I wanted to apologize for that, but then I realized that’s why I had broken up with him. So I wouldn’t have to apologize. Then why did I still feel so guilty?

“Do you feel safe?”

“Yeah,” I said, sounding as weary as I felt. “I’m safe.”

Muffy rested her chin on my leg, looking so forlorn it brought tears to my eyes.

“Any word on Randy?” I asked.

“He’s in ICU. It’s touch and go.”

We were both silent for a moment before Mason said, “Joe said he told you about J.R.”

“Yeah. He did.”

“Has J.R. called you again?”

I wanted to tell him about my horrific night, but then I’d be dragging him back into my mess. “I think the less you know the better.”

“Goddammit, Rose! Don’t do this!”

“Don’t do what?” I asked, my anger rising to match his.

“I love you! You may have decided we’re done, but I’m still scared to death for you. Don’t make me sit here freaking out because I have no idea where you are or if you’re safe.” His voice broke. “Just think about how you’d feel if the situation were reversed. Would you just write me off if I told you I was breaking up with you to spare you some pain?”

“No, of course not.”

“Then how do you expect me to do the same?”

“I don’t know . . .” My voice shook as tears rolled down my cheek.

“Rose, sweetheart. I know it looked like I abandoned you.” He cursed under his breath. “No. You’re right. I did abandon you. You know I have a habit of taking off for a walk after an argument—and that’s all this was, even if it was longer than I’ve ever been gone. It doesn’t make it right, not one iota, but I’ve been absolutely miserable without you, Rose. And now that J.R. is on the loose, and I know he’s coming for you . . . I’m going crazy. I can’t eat. I can’t sleep. I can’t concentrate on my job. All I can do is worry and think about how much I let you down. How I failed you.”

“Mason, stop.”

“No. I’m not ready to give up on us.”

“What about what I want?” I asked quietly.

He was silent for several seconds. “Yesterday you said you love me. Have you changed your mind since then?”

“No. Of course not. I love you so much I feel like my heart has been ripped into a tiny million pieces.”

“Then what? You love Skeeter?”

I released a sardonic laugh. “No, Mason. I only love you.”

“Sweetheart, listen. If we love each other, we can make this work.”

“Are they appointing you as the D.A. permanently?”

He hesitated. “I don’t know. Maybe. Probably.”

“And what would happen if it ever got out that Skeeter helped me escape Sam Teagen and his cohort last night? Or that Merv got shot trying to protect me?”

“What?” he asked in a panic. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine. Honest. Think about it.” I paused. “Skeeter and I are piecing things together, and we’re getting close to something. But I’m not doing this with Skeeter because I want to be with him. He can do things you and Joe can’t. Besides, J.R. is after the two of us, and it makes sense for the two of us to work together to bring him down.”

“Only a week ago, just the two of us was you and me.” I heard the pain in his voice.

“I won’t ask you to compromise your principles or ethics for me, Mason. Not anymore.”

“So now you’re involved in illegal activities?” His words were pinched.

“No. Not if I can help it, but you know that my connection to Skeeter would hurt you. If it ever got out, your career would be over. I can’t do that to you.”

“Splitting up is a huge decision, Rose. It affects both of our lives. You should let me have a say in it.”

I knew he had a point, and now I was more confused than ever.

He was quiet for several seconds. “Rose, please. I understand why you’re with Skeeter, and I know he’ll do his best to keep you safe, so if you think this is the best way to bring J.R. down, I trust you.”

“What?”

“I’m not going to deny that I’d rather you do it by the book. But we both know that doing it by the book won’t work with J.R. Simmons. And if there are any two people out there who can bring him down, it’s you and Skeeter Malcolm.” He paused. “And you have no idea how hard it is to admit that.”

“That I’m not doing it by the book?”

“No. That you’re doing it with him,” he barked, then continued in a softer voice. “I’m saying that as the Lady in Black, you proved that you are more than capable enough to take J.R. down. I have no doubt in your ability. It’s still hard to accept that you are doing this with him. On multiple levels. But I’ve wrestled with this since you called me yesterday, and I’ve accepted it.”