Goodbye Saintess. novel Chapter 16

The guy outside looked shady as hell . Every inch of him gave off a dangerous vibe . The moment I saw him , I thought of those late – night crime stories about some creep stalking a woman all the way home , waiting to strike . Was I about to witness one of those stories in real life ? If so , not opening the door might get that young woman hurt . Maybe this wasn’t a case of her knocking on the wrong door .

Maybe she was looking for help . Then I heard her voice again – anxious , maybe even desperate . She was urging me to let her in . Through the peephole , I watched the guy lose patience and start moving toward her . That was all I needed . I yanked the door open and pulled her inside . The guy saw her slip through and rushed over , only to come face – to – face with me . I was shirtless , built , and not in the mood . ” Who the hell are you ? ” I asked , frowning as I stepped toward him . He flinched , retreating one shaky step at a time . Firefighters weren’t hired for their delicacy .

We were supposed to be big , strong , and able to carry full – grown men out of burning buildings . And I wasn’t just any firefighter – I was one of Beta Team’s top guys . At 6’1 ” , with every muscle built from years of drills and training , I looked like someone who could snap him in half . To him , I probably looked like a wall of raw muscle and fury . ” I – I got the wrong place ! ” he stammered , then bolted like his life depended on it . I didn’t bother chasing him . I just shut the door and locked it . The woman I’d pulled inside sat on my couch , looking anywhere but at me .

Her voice came soft , filled with relief . ” Thank you for helping me . That fellow followed me all the way here . I was terrified . I really thought no one was home . ” ” You’re safe now . He’s gone . ” I gave her a polite nod and headed to the bedroom for a shirt . On the way back , I poured her a glass of water . ” Thanks , ” she said , taking the glass . Her hand brushed mine – cool , soft , a quiet kind of contact that made me pause . I smiled . ” No need for thanks . ” She didn’t look reassured . If anything , she seemed uneasy . I sat nearby and spoke gently , hoping to calm her .

” Just catch your breath . I’ll call building security and have them escort you home . Better safe than sorry . ” What I didn’t expect was for her to shake her head . ” Why would I leave ? I live here . ” ” Sorry , what? ” Now I was the one thrown off . She wasn’t panicked anymore . In fact , there was a spark of amusement in her eyes . I met her gaze , puzzled . ” Miss , I think there’s been a mistake . This is the unit I just rented . I don’t remember the landlady mentioning anyone else living here . ” ” I’m not sharing the place . I’m the owner . That ‘ landlady ‘ you talked to ?

She’s my mom , ” she said . ” She signed it over to me recently . The apartment’s in my name now . If you don’t believe me , I’ve got the paperwork . ” She smiled , pulled a deed from her bag , and handed it over like this was just another Tuesday . Still confused , I flipped it open . The address , the unit number , the square footage – it all checked out . 1/2 And the name on the deed ? Claire McKay . ” Claire McKay ? ” She stood with a grin and offered her hand . ” That’s me . Nice to meet you , Sebastian Grimwald . ”