Alaina looks up at me, her delicate features streaked with tears and her gray eyes sparkling. I take a lock of her hair and gently push it back from her face. I’ve never taken advantage of the way fear makes women feel about me. I’ve never wanted to, but my eyes fasten on Alaina’s mouth, which looks plush and inviting.
“The things he wrote in his notes…” I say carefully. I’m trying to be as tactful as possible. “That’s a lot of detail.”
She closes her eyes and nods. “He’s definitely been watching me. He knows…everything.”
I love a shaved pussy, Alaina.
Alaina buries her face in my chest. “He could be watching us right now. He’ll know we’ve found his bugs. What if he tries to hurt you because you’re helping me?”
My arms tighten around her. “I won’t let anything happen to you.”
“But you said so yourself, the security in this building is terrible. I feel so exposed.”
I nod slowly, stroking my fingers through her hair. “He’s probably getting off on how frightened you are. He knows that your mind is filled with him, and only him. Total control.”
Alaina lifts her head and gazes up at me with terrified eyes. “What am I going to do, Rhys?”
I rub the nape of her neck in slow circles. Her skin’s so soft. Her bones so delicate. “I’ve got a secure place. It’s a bit of a drive…” I trail off and stare out the window. “Wait, did you see something?”
From this angle, I can see just a sliver of the street outside. Pulling away from Alaina, I hurry over to get a better look at what caught my eye. “You fucking asshole.” I bolt for the front door and Alaina yelps in surprise. “Stay here. Lock the door.”
The elevator will take too long, so I pound down the steps two at a time and burst out onto the darkened street.
Empty.
I jog around the block and check between the parked cars, but he’s long gone.
The building security officer has finally appeared and he gives me a confused look as I buzz to be let back in. I show him my badge and he calls the elevator for me.
“Nice to see you do your job some of the time,” I snarl.
Up at the apartment, I knock and Alaina opens the door for me. “What happened? Was he out there?”
“Yeah. It was him. I saw the streetlights reflecting off his binoculars.” I slam my hand into the doorframe. “Goddammit. I didn’t even get a good look at him.”
Alaina wraps her arms around herself and shakes her head. “I hate that he’s so close. I just want to get out of here and feel safe again. You said you had a place. Where is it?”
My cabin. The place I saved for ever since I was fourteen and had my first job. A haven from the world and the only place I can relax and feel myself. When I’m not there, I’m wishing I was. I only mentioned it off-handedly, but it’s actually not a bad idea. This place is compromised and Alaina wouldn’t be safe in a hotel, either.
“Out in the forest about two hours from here. I’ve got a ton of security and everything’s deadbolted. It’s yours if you want to stay there.”
She nods, white-faced, but hopeful for the first time. “Please. I just need space to breathe for a few days or I’m going to lose my mind.”
I go to the trunk by the television and pull out an overnight bag for her. “Go and pack. I’ll watch the street.”
She takes the bag from me. “Do you think it’s safe for me to order a taxi, or should I get a rental?”
“I’ll drive you.”
“Rhys, you can’t. You have work tomorrow.”
“It’s fine. Once I make sure you’re safe and settled in, I can get one of the local cops to bring me back to the city.”
“But—”
I place my hands on her shoulders. “You don’t understand, Alaina. The shit I’ve seen in my job. I don’t want the next body that’s pulled out of the river to be yours.”
Chapter Five
Alaina
Rhys’ eyes reflect all the horrors that he’s seen in his years as a cop, and the reality of my situation crashes down on me. My mind has only ever gone as far as take you, not willing to consider what could come after. Now, though, I can’t help but peep through that door and see the horrors of what awaits me if my stalker gets his hands on me.
“Okay. Thank you, Rhys.” I head for my bedroom, though all I want to do is fling my arms around Rhys and never let go.
It doesn’t take me long to change clothes and throw a few things into the overnight bag. I come back a few minutes later dressed in jeans, flat boots and an oversized sweater, with my long hair scooped back in a ponytail.
Rhys helps me into my coat and takes my bag. “I can’t see anyone out there. We’re going to go straight out to my car and we’ll drive away quickly. Okay?”
I nod, my heart rate picking up as we leave my apartment and take the stairs down to the street. I keep my eyes on Rhys’ back until we reach the front door. Then he encloses my hand in his and takes long strides toward a black Jeep Cherokee. I hurry to keep up with him and scramble into the passenger seat as soon as he unlocks the car remotely. A moment later, he’s in the driver’s seat and we’re out of the parking spot and driving fast down the street. I finally
