Tattoos and Transformations (15 page)

Chapter Thirteen

On the way out, she stepped near the workroom and tried to absorb the devastation. Glass shards littered the floor, and the main window was mostly gone. Her gaze swept the room to her easel. The picture she’d almost finished was slashed, along with a few others in the front room. Someone must have scared the intruder because he never made it to the back room.

Morgan wrapped an arm around her waist to prevent her from entering the taped-off area. “We have to go out the back.” Cops were spreading black fingerprint powder on every surface.

Tears brimmed her lashes. “I know.”

He turned her around and walked her to the rear. “I’ve called Clint.

He said he’s on his way back.”

Clint was in Casper. “He doesn’t have to come.” Though, she appreciated his willingness to drive back.

“Babe, your life was in danger. He’s going to want to see that you’re okay.”

“I’m fine.”

It didn’t matter how many times she told him that, the violation wouldn’t stop beating at her. In truth, she wanted to cuddle with Clint.

Having both of her men would be the only way to help heal.

Still, the fact someone broke into her place cut her deep. “Who do you think did this?”

He shook his head as he loaded her and the suitcase into the car.

As they pulled away, the flashing lights of the emergency vehicles shone behind them. Morgan must have sensed she was trying to cope and didn’t ask too many questions.

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He pulled in front of the house. “I’ve been wracking my brains as to who would want to sabotage your gallery. I can’t imagine you have any enemies.”

“I never thought I did.”

“We’ll let the police do their job. They’ll find the culprit.” She wished she were so certain. “Maybe Harley thinks I’m going to rat on him or that he’s upset that I’m working there. After all, the store is his domain, and I don’t think he was particularly happy that I came to work there.”

He shook his head. “I don’t see Harley for this. He has a hard time walking, let alone breaking into a storefront that sits next to the Intrigue Hotel. He isn’t capable of running away. I’m sure someone saw something. Don’t worry.” He got her inside the house. “You want something to eat?”

“No. I’m not hungry. What I need is a shower.” She lifted her arm and smelled. “I stink.”

Morgan wrapped his arms around her. “You never stink.”

“I do today.”

“Go take a shower, and I’ll have a glass of wine ready when you’re done.”

“That sounds wonderful.” Not only was she upset about the broken window and having to tell Jade that, due to no fault of her own, she’d have to replace it, but now she’d have to call the woman about her daughter’s painting. Recreating a piece of art never came out the same.

She peeled off her clothes and stepped into the shower. The last time she’d been here, Clint had joined her. Even the thought of having sex didn’t appeal to her right now. The depression weighed heavily on her.

Why me?
Had she turned down a piece of art that she thought unworthy? Maybe she hadn’t fussed over someone’s talent. Her brain wasn’t engaged enough to think. A migraine was brewing behind one of her eyes.

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She stepped under the warm water and expected her muscles to relax immediately. The tension refused to dissipate. She poured some bath gel onto her palm and scrubbed her body. No matter how much she rubbed, she couldn’t erase the stench of being a victim. She should be happy that no one had harmed her physically. While her body wasn’t harmed, mentally she was a mess.

As the hot water doused her body, she went through the last few weeks, trying to see if there was someone she could have possibly offended. Even after washing her hair and staying under the water so long that her skin pruned, she was no closer to an answer. She prayed the police could find a clue.

She stepped out and dried off. Her stomach was still upset.

Depression sucked. She trudged into Morgan’s bedroom and pawed through her suitcase for her toothbrush. The throw up in her mouth still lingered. Once she brushed her teeth and put cream on her face, she swallowed some pain medication to help drive away the threatening headache.

She searched her case for something to wear. Nothing appealed to her, so she ended up dragging on some undies and a big T-shirt.

When she walked into the living room Morgan was there with a glass of wine. She doubted even the slight buzz she’d get would do much good, but the nice taste would help.

“Come sit down.” Morgan made room for her on the sofa.

“I feel violated.”

He handed her the glass. “I know, but we’ll find out who did this.” She shook her head. “It won’t matter. The act was done.” She looked up at his kind face. “Did the cops call while I was in the shower?”

He lifted her chin with his knuckle. “No. They won’t be able to tell us anything until they have the person in custody. I called Travis already.”

“Who?”

“Travis is Mr. Security for D’Ink Coda. I told him Clint suggested

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I give him a call. He said he’d find someone to replace the windows ASAP. He wants to put in a state-of-the-art security system as well as cameras ringing the outside. I want to be sure this never happens again.”

“I appreciate that.” Too bad it couldn’t erase what had happened.

“Did you call Jade and tell her about the devastation?”

“I did. She’s very upset and asked if she could come right over. I told her you weren’t up for company.” He stroked her arm. “If you want her to come, I can call her back.”

She leaned her head against his shoulder. “Thank you, but you were right. I’m not up for company. The breaking and entering has thrown me in a tailspin. I don’t think I’d have minded if they only broke the glass, but to cut up my paintings was like cutting me.” Morgan leaned over and kissed the top of her head. “I wish there was something I could do.”

She sipped her wine. “It’s going to take time for me to process this.”

Without asking, he turned on the TV and handed her the remote.

“You get to choose.”

She didn’t really have the energy or desire to watch anything, but Morgan said Clint would be home any time now. Even if she went to bed, she was sure she wasn’t going to get a bit of sleep.

They watched a crime show because in the end the bad guy would get caught, and she wanted to see justice done. Close to midnight, Clint barged in.

“Darlin’, are you okay?” He leaned over and scooped her into his arms.

His warm, comforting chest eased her aches more than the shower ever could. He smelled of fresh air. She snuggled against him.

“Physically, yes.”

Morgan clicked off the set.

Clint sat on the sofa with her in his arms. “Tell me everything.” Repeating the events was difficult, but in the end it gave her a
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different perspective.

He kissed the top of her head. “My vote is Harley.” Morgan went through his logic why it couldn’t be.

She was no closer to coming up with a suspect than before. “Once Travis installs the security system, I’ll feel safer.” Morgan picked up her feet and massaged them. “I asked him to put a dead bolt on the door leading upstairs to your two stories.” Between Morgan’s ministrations and Clint’s warm chest, the wine began to relax her.

When she woke, she was in Morgan’s bed, but he wasn’t there.

Light streamed in through the gap in the closed curtains.
Shit
. She’d overslept.

While the men might complain about her returning so soon, she needed to be at her studio to oversee the work. Perhaps the intruder would stop by to see his handiwork. At least that was what always happened in those crime shows.

The aroma of coffee and bacon seeped under the closed door. She got up and followed her nose. Both men were in the kitchen.

“Good morning,” Clint said.

He was too damned cheery. “Morning.”

Morgan scooped some scrambled eggs onto a plate and carried it over to the table. “Breakfast is served.” Clint poured her a cup of coffee. “Cream or sugar?”

“Both.” She should stop with adding so much sugary stuff, but right now she needed all the help she could get.

“Aren’t you two eating?”

“We already have.”

Clint leaned over and kissed her. “I’ve got to get back to Casper.” She sucked in a breath. “You drove over two hours just to see if I was okay?” No one had ever been that nice.

“Only for you, darlin’.” He kissed her good-bye and headed out.

Her cell rang. The noise came from the living room. She got up and rushed to catch the call. It was her father.

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“Hey, Dad.”

“Just wanted to see if you were okay.”

“Yes. What did you hear?”

“Harley called me.” She knew they went back a long ways. “He said your place got broken into.”

The whole town probably knew about it since her building sat on the main street of town. “Someone broke the window and slashed some paintings.”

“Did the intruder harm you?”

“No. He never came upstairs. I think someone scared him away.” She didn’t know if it was a man, a woman, or a bunch of kids up to no good.

“I’m glad you’re okay.” There was a loud noise in the background.

“Hey, I need to go, but call me if you want to.”

“Okay. Thanks, Dad.”

The fact some paintings got ruined didn’t seem to faze him, but maybe he did only care that she wasn’t injured. The fact he’d called at all was nice. She returned to the table and ate half of the eggs, but her appetite was gone. “I’m going to change.” She stepped back into the bedroom and pulled out all of her clothes. Nothing matched her mood. Since she had to wear something, she kept on the T-shirt and dragged on a pair of jeans. The window might get replaced today, but probably not the entire security system.

She closed her suitcase and left it on the bed.

She returned to the kitchen. “I’m sure you have a lot of ranch work to do, but could you either lend me a car or drive me to my studio?”

“I think you should stay here another day, or at least until Travis calls and says everything is cleaned up and ready to go.”

“No.”

He cocked a brow. “What do you mean, ‘no’?”

“You’ve heard the word before.” She was so not in the mood to argue with him.

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His cell rang. He glanced at the display. “It’s Travis. Maybe he’s done.”

Her spirit lifted.

“Yeah? You sure? I appreciate that. How’s Dakota’s place coming? Excellent.”

He disconnected and faced her. “I think we need to give Travis Easton a big tip. Not only did he get someone to come out today to install the front glass, but the security system will be up and running by tonight.”

She should be thrilled. If only the trauma from last night would go away. “Great. Then you don’t mind returning me to town.”

“Mind? Yes, but I will drive you back. If you want, you can leave your suitcase here in case you should find yourself in need of some company.” He winked.

Usually, his sexiness stirred her insides, but not today. Like a burned-out building, she only felt cold and dead inside. “Sure.”

“I do have some bad news. Travis listened to the live feed from D’Ink Coda. Harley, I’m afraid, is continuing to rip off the customers.

I’m going to have to fire him.”