by J. Lea
“Yeah, yeah,” he brushes me off. “Take care of her.”
“You know it. I’ll be in touch.”
“Bye.”
I put the phone back on the nightstand and go check on April. Gently, I knock on the door, but I’m met with silence, as expected. “You okay in there?” Still, no answer. “I’m coming in if you don’t respond.” Nothing. I slowly open the door a few inches so I can peek inside to see what she’s doing. She’s sitting on the floor, one arm hugging the toilet, her eyes closed and breathing heavily. Her adorable curls are covering half her face. She’s sound asleep. I walk to her and gently pick her up in my arms. She mutters something in her sleep but doesn’t wake so I carry her to the bed and tuck her in. I trace a finger down her cheek to push her hair off her face. She looks so serene, so peaceful.
I let her sleep and I start going through all the documents my brother sent me. April’s stalker means serious business. I bet the cameras in her house are not a novelty; he’s been spying on her for a long time. The newest messages he’d been sending her all suggest his next move is to kidnap her. I’m most concerned by one phrase he keeps using throughout the messages, that they’ll be ‘united in eternity,’ and I plan to do everything in my power that it doesn’t come anywhere close to that. I still have no updates on Leo. The earth has swallowed the guy but he keeps sending April messages from his phone that we cannot trace. Where did he gain such advanced technical knowledge? The cameras in April’s place were high-tech, impossible to buy off the shelf—cameras like the ones we found were put together specifically for this purpose. I doubt Leo possesses such a set of skills, considering he’s a construction worker, so he must’ve gotten help from someone. Or he actually doesn’t have anything to do with this. Only time will tell which one of my speculations is real.
After a quick talk with a Police Captain I’ve worked with on a couple of cases in the past and a briefing with officers Becker and Guzman, who are in charge of April’s case, I join the sleeping beauty on the bed. As I unscrew the bottle of water I grabbed earlier from the vending machine, I watch her. She’s breathtakingly beautiful even in her sleep.
The next morning I’m jolted awake by April’s groaning and moaning. “Ugh, my head,” she whines. I barely got any sleep during the night, studying the threatening messages and watching over April in case she got sick again.
I’m facing her, so I watch her slowly raise her head off her pillow and sit up on the bed. She’s massaging her temples with her fingers.
“Feeling the after effects of yesterday’s love affair with the whiskey bottle?” I joke lightly.
April winces. “I didn’t realize you were awake.” She steals a glance my way, her cheeks flushed. “I feel like I’ve been hit by an 18-wheeler. Repeatedly. My head is going to explode.”
“Want some water?”
“I want coffee. And a huge, greasy breakfast. That’s what I really want.” She avoids eye contact. I bet she’s feeling all sorts of embarrassed about last night.
“Okay then. Let’s go.”
“Really? Just like that?” her voice is doubtful, yet hopeful.
“Yes. There must be some diner down the road.”
“Thank you,” comes her soft reply.
I pull my jeans on while she grabs her clothes and locks herself in the bathroom to clean up. When she emerges, her mass of hair is tamed into a messy braid falling down her right shoulder, stopping right by her breasts. She’s wearing black-rimmed glasses, grey yoga pants that accentuate her gorgeous legs, and a plain dark green tank top. Sexy as fuck.
“We going?” she asks. I nod, grab my keys, and we’re on our way.
April
I’ve woken up with a killer hangover. My head is still pounding like crazy and I feel like I’m about to puke any second. I’m never drinking again. What the hell was I thinking, downing almost half of that bottle? And whisky for that matter, which I haven’t even tried before. Now I know why I never had the urge—it tastes horrible - like roasted acorn seeds with a burning aftertaste. I have no idea how people can enjoy drinking this stuff, but when I saw the bottle on a shelf in the reception area I couldn’t resist the temptation. I needed liquid courage because living in a closed space with Jude’s been slowly killing me. His scent is everywhere. The bathroom smells like his aftershave, his scent is all over the bed sheets, it’s even in my hair. My hair, for Christ sake! If only he smoked or sweated like a pig; that would make things easier. But no, he smells amazing, he looks even better, and even the smallest hint of a smile on his face makes my stomach erupt in butterflies. I’m baffled by my body’s reaction to him because my brain finds him completely annoying. I feel like pushing him out of the car sometimes, but I know I’d be trying to save his ass the next second. How can my treacherous heart skip a beat every time I hear his voice or his skin touches mine? My world is so out of order.
I purposely dressed sloppily this morning; I wore the ugliest yoga pants I own, the most stretched-out tank top I could find. I didn’t even bother putting in contact lenses I just put my reading glasses on and tucked my hair into a braid without even brushing it. Yesterday I went overboard with my behavior, acting like a complete floozy, offering myself to him on a plate. What was I thinking? I wasn’t, obviously. And when we drove out to grab breakfast, he still looked at me like he wants to have me for breakfast. Like he knew what I was thinking.
We’re sitting in a booth of a small diner I’ve never heard of before. Today’s specialty is a mushroom and spinach omelet; we both ordered that. I also ordered a mug of coffee, which our waitress had to refill three times before we even got our meals. Pure heaven.
“Feeling any better?” Jude asks.
I nod, sipping my coffee, avoiding eye contact. I decided I don’t want to think about last night. If it were possible, I’d erase it from both our memories. I’ve made a complete fool of myself.
“I’m sorry for last night, I don’t know what’s gotten into me.”
“I get it. You were drunk. Don’t worry, these things happen.”
“Not to me. I acted inappropriately, and alcohol is not an excuse for my actions.” I should know that.
“You’ve been under a tremendous amount of pressure lately, so I can understand you needed to let loose.” He takes a bite of his omelet.
“Why are you defending me?” I raise an eyebrow in question. “I don’t deserve it. I’ve acted childish and inappropriate. Not just yesterday, but the whole time we’ve been together.”
Jude puts his fork down and looks me in the eyes. “Look, you’re currently in a situation you don’t see a way out of, and you feel trapped. All you can think about is you’re stuck with me and it’s obviously getting on your nerves somehow. Everyone has their own way of letting off steam. And since I’m so irresistible,” he smiles his perfect smile, “the most obvious solution for you was to get me in bed,” he says jokingly. “Who’d blame you? I know how hard it is to keep your clothes on when I’m around,” he winks at me.
My jaw drops on the table. “Right when I started to think there’s actually a really nice man under all that arrogance, you go ahead and say that,” I roll my eyes.
Jude grins. “I’m a nice man. If I wasn’t, you’d be feeling a delicious soreness between your legs at this very moment that would last for days to come.”
He shuts me up with his remark. What could I respond when he’s telling the truth? If he took me up on my offer last night, I would be feeling all sorts of regret this morning. I don’t know if I’d be able to be in the same room as him.
When our stomachs are full and the level of caffeine in my body is back to normal, we head back to our car. I’m still painfully embarrassed by my actions last night and I don’t think I’ll be able to get rid of my guilty conscience any time soon. But there’s one thing I can’t wrap my head around, and it’s the fact he rejected me. I can’t figure out why he did it. He had the perfect opportunity to take what he so clearly wanted; I’m not blind, I noticed hi
s eyes on me more times than I could count. But I’m still grateful he didn’t take me up on my drunken offer; not many men would say no.
During the drive back to our motel, Jude keeps glancing back in his rearview mirror. His lips are pressed tightly together and he’s gripping the steering wheel so hard his knuckles are turning white.
“Is something wrong?” The last time I saw a similar expression on his face was when he caught the receptionist lurking outside our motel room.
“Huh?” he says distractedly, but doesn’t say anything else.
“Is something wrong?” I repeat.
“Not sure. I think we’re being followed.”
“Followed?” I turn back in my seat to look behind us. “Do you think it’s him?”
“I don’t know. Try to see if you can make out the license plate. Here.” He pulls a piece of paper out of his jean pocket. “I think I have a pen in the glove compartment.” I don’t have to search for long until I find it.
“Which car is it?”
“Third car behind us, the silver caravan,” he replies.
Jude keeps his gaze fixed on the rearview mirror while I try to discern the plate number on the car, but it’s proving impossible as the car is too far behind us and my eyesight is not exactly perfect. A couple of hundred feet later, Jude pulls off the highway at the first exit. The suspicious silver caravan follows us. Jude parks the car at a gas station lot, opens his door and jumps out.
“Where are you going?” I exclaim. “Get back inside.”
“It’s okay. Just wait here,” he leans inside, “I’ll be right back.” I notice his hand reaches behind his belt where keeps his gun and I inhale sharply. The caravan doesn’t stop. The driver, wearing a hood, puts his foot to the gas pedal and drives off at high speed almost running Jude over in the process. I’m so shocked by what just happened, I don’t catch the whole license plate number, only the first three digits.
Jude returns and revs the engine to chase after the caravan, noticing at the last second there’s another car coming at us. We come to a screeching halt, narrowly avoiding collision.
Ten
Jude
“Damn it!” I hit the steering wheel as I park the car in front of the motel, still furious as hell for letting the silver car escape. “Fuck!”
“Calm down.”
“I could’ve caught him.” I’m gripping the steering wheel so hard my knuckles are turning white. I don’t even notice when April puts her hand on mine.
“Hey, you’ll get him. He just caught us off guard this time.”
“No. You don’t understand. I can’t allow myself to be caught off guard like this.” Stepping out of the car, I slam the door shut behind me, April close behind. “I can’t let that happen. I have to be ready for everything.”
“You’re just one man, Jude,” she calls after me, trying to keep up.
“But I’m also responsible for you! Each incident like this could cost you your life.”
“Maybe it wasn’t Leo, perhaps it was just an unlucky coincidence. I didn’t recognize the car. Leo used to drive a beat up green Volvo.”
“I don’t believe in coincidences, Princess.” April clenches her teeth at the mention of her nickname. “He could’ve stolen the car or borrowed it. Besides, I think he’s got an accomplice, or at least he wants us to think that.”
“What?” she sputters. “What makes you think that?”
“You said Leo worked in construction.”
“Yeah, so?”
“Does he have any knowledge of electronics or how to build little gadgets?”
She snorts, laughing out. “Leo’s not a fan of computers. He knows how to use one, but just to watch movies or send e-mails.”
“So, how’s it possible he planted all those high tech wireless cameras all over your house?”
“He probably bought them, I don’t know. You can buy all sorts of things off the internet these days,” she shrugs.
“Not this make and model. They were made specifically for this.”
“How many cameras did they find?” her voice is shaky.
“Two more beside the one you found.”
“Oh my God!” Her hand is on her forehead, breathing deeply. “Just the thought of being watched makes me sick. I can’t believe what’s happening. Why me? I’m no one. I really don’t understand. When Leo and I were together he couldn’t care less about our relationship, and now, he’s suddenly willing to do everything to get me back. It doesn’t make any sense.”
“Booze messes with people’s brains, and God knows what’s going on in Leo’s head.” I pause. “Did you manage to write down the license plate?”
“Only the first three digits,” she says apologetically, handing me the scrap of paper with her writing.
“That’s something.” I breathe and shove the paper in my pocket. I’ll call Steph later. Perhaps she’ll be able to work her magic and track it.
“I really want to go back home,” April says wistfully as we walk through the door of our motel room.
“In a day or two. I’m waiting for a green light from Cole and Jessie. They’ve replaced the front door already, and the security system is being installed as we speak.”
“Jessie and Cole?” she asks with a raised eyebrow, then places her purse on the bed.
“My brothers.”
“You have two brothers?” she exclaims in surprise. “You all work together?”
“Yes, we’re all employed at our father’s company, O’Rilley Detective Agency.”
“Wow, a family business. Interesting. You like what you do?” A lock of her hair falls from her braid to her eyes. She blows at it but it doesn’t help, so she just tucks it behind her ear.
I shrug. “It’s better than before, when I still worked as a detective. I can pick which cases I want and the paycheck is better,” I smile at her inquiring face.
“Have you worked many cases similar to mine?”
“Ever since I’ve started working for my father, just a few, which is surprising considering how many people report being stalked. Before that, I’ve worked three or four similar cases, tops.”
“And how did they end? I assume you were hired to protect someone that had a stalker?”
“Yes,” I say quietly. “It didn’t end well every time, to be honest. Tracy, the girl I protected last…, you sort of remind me of her. She was very stubborn too and independent. Her ex-husband was a textbook psycho. I failed to protect her from him. She bled out in my arms.”
April clasps a hand over her mouth with a sharp inhale. “She died?”
“Yeah. The fucker stabbed her five times. I had to take a phone call and stepped in the hallway. Meanwhile, she went outside to take the trash out, even though I kept telling her not to leave the house unescorted. But she wouldn’t listen. When I finally got to her, it was too late. I caught the bastard, but we lost her.” Taking a deep breath, I bow my head.
“I’m so sorry,” she says, gently putting her hand on mine.
“Me, too. That’s why I was so furious when you left the room. I always need to know where you are, always.”
“I had no idea…” Her voice trails off and she looks stricken. “I can’t imagine how it made you feel, me running off like that without warning.”
“It’s not a good feeling at all. It felt like an invisible hand was trying to pull my guts out,” I tell her. “I don’t like feeling helpless.”
Realization hits her; her face fills with regret. “Oh.” That damn lock of hair falls from behind her ear again and makes me want to tame it. Before I can reach for it, she sits on our bed, her eyes full of sadness.
I sit beside her. “Now you know why I keep nagging you about not leaving my sight,” I say more lightly, trying to lift our moods. “It wouldn’t be too good living without a gut.”
The corners of April’s mouth turn slightly up. “Are your brothers as stubborn and persistent as you are?”
“Nope, I’m the normal one,” I joke. Eve
ryone knows I’m the most protective and stubborn in our family.
“You are? I kind of doubt that.” Her voice turns playful, teasing. I like this April the most.
“What? You don’t believe me?” I challenge her, raising a brow.
She taps her finger to her lower lip, pretending to be deep in thought. Those lips. “Nope,” she shakes her head and grins. “You’re the most annoying, bossy, possessive and dangerous man I know. I doubt your brothers are worse than you.”
“You forgot to add ’unbelievably attractive’.”
“No, I left that out on purpose,” she giggles.
“So, you do think I’m unbelievably attractive?” I say confidently. “In your drunk state, you said, and I quote, ‘that I’m quite attractive considering I have a stick up my butt’.”
“I did not say you’re attractive.”
“Yeah, you did,” I smile.
“Oh, well,” she shrugs, her cheeks turning pink. “Your ego is already big enough, it doesn’t need to inflate even more.”
“That may be, but you like my confidence and determination. Admit it.”
“Nope…” she shakes her head. Her eyes gleam with mischief. “I’ll stick to my earlier statement.”
I love seeing her relaxed and laughing without reservations. My eyes catch on her plump lips and my breath hitches. She notices me staring at her and gives me a pointed look.
“What?”
“Well, I guess I never thought we’d ever meet after…”
“That night, you mean?” she finishes.
“Yeah.” My eyes never leave hers.
“Neither did I. When I saw you standing in my brother’s kitchen, I thought I was hallucinating for a second there.”
“Believe me, the shock was mutual. I never asked you what you were doing in New York that day. Did you live there?”
“No. I had a job interview, but I didn’t get it, just like five more before that. So, I called a friend who lives there and dragged her out to drown my sorrows in liquor.”