by Alicia Rae
“What is it?” Kate twisted and glanced over her shoulder at me.
“Hurry! Hide!” I latched on to the back of her blue dress shirt and yanked her backward. “We can’t let him see us!”
My tugging on her was insistent and harsh, and Kate fought to regain her balance. I couldn’t let that man see me or Kate, for I was positive it was Drake Stevens.
First, Damien’s estranged mother, Annabelle, had shown up at his work yesterday, and now, his stepbrother was sitting in a parking lot, staring at my car. This was no coincidence. Something was going on, and I had a bad feeling about it.
“Raelyn, what’s wrong? Who is he?” Kate panicked as she faced my direction and collided into me with her frantic state, nearly bulldozing me down.
“It’s the same man from the office today. We have to get out of here,” I stammered on a rush. “Run!”
The two of us bolted to the other side of the building. Kate managed to pass me. I begged my legs to pick up speed, but that communication error between my body and brain was kicking into gear, and I was becoming rather uncoordinated.
“Not that way. He could find us there!” I yelled frantically to Kate when she made an attempt to go back toward the office. I pointed straight ahead. “This way!”
Kate and I waited for a break in traffic to cross the street, watching as cars passed us by. It was rush hour, so vehicles were whizzing by us, left and right.
I grabbed her hand when there was finally an opportune moment to cross the street and told her, “Now!”
We dashed to the other side of the road without hesitation. Our options were a bakery that was nearly empty, a bar that was pretty busy for a weeknight, or a gas station. The decision was a no-brainer. I went for the place with the greatest population.
I ran to the bar and opened the door. Kate and I quickly slipped inside. I paused to glance behind me. My eyes darted from left to the center to the right. There was no sign of Drake anywhere.
I let out the biggest breath of relief and pivoted to face Kate. “The coast is clear.”
There was a huge guy standing before us. His shirt read Security.
“I need to see your IDs, please.” His deep voice carried over the loud music.
I reached into my purse to grab my wallet. I pulled out my driver’s license and handed it to the man. Kate followed suit.
The man took our identification cards. He briefly glanced at them and us before handing them back to us. “Thanks.”
I put my driver’s license back into my wallet, as did Kate.
She stepped into me. “Do you think he saw us?” Kate cried in my ear. “Who is he? What does he want?”
“I don’t think so.” I spun around to check through the glass door once more before gazing back at Kate to finish answering her questions. “It’s Damien’s stepbrother, and I’m not sure why he’s here.”
“There must be some reason he’s stalking you,” Kate said, searching my eyes for an answer.
Unfortunately, I didn’t have one for her. “Honestly, I really have no idea, Kate.”
There were no empty tables in the middle of the crowd, out of view. Nor were there any seats at the bar. Our only option was a booth in front of the windows. Perhaps it might work out better, so Kate and I would at least be aware if Drake was approaching. It would give us time to run—where, I hadn’t the slightest clue.
“Let’s sit down and catch our breaths. Then, we can decide what to do,” I offered as I navigated through a group of young people.
I lowered myself down on the bench. Kate sat on the opposing side of me. My heart beat so fast that I could feel it in my ears. I felt trapped, and it was making me extremely anxious.
Kate and I either needed to find a ride home, or we’d have to wait it out until Drake left.
I wanted to call Damien to tell him about Drake. But Damien had an important meeting with a client in Orlando this evening, so I didn’t want to interrupt him. There was no reason to worry him when he was a couple of hours away. He’d freak out.
I texted Iris instead.
Me: Hey, are you free by chance?
A waitress with shiny red hair came up to our table, wearing a bright yellow halter top and black skirt. Her outfit was paired with spiky heels. “Ladies, how are you tonight?” she asked with a big smile.
“Eh, we’ve been better,” Kate answered.
I slightly nodded my head. That was putting it lightly.
“Well, how about we turn it around then?” she quipped. “What can I get you guys to drink? Is it a wine kind of night, or should we skip straight ahead to the dirty martinis?”
“Oh, I would love to take you up on your offer.” Kate screeched out a halfhearted laugh before raising her brows. “Give me a dirty martini, please. And make it a strong one!”
“You got it.” The waitress winked and then redirected her focus to me. “And you?”
“Well, one of us has to remain somewhat sober,” I teased Kate, “so I’ll take some wine.” Surely, one glass of wine couldn’t hurt.
“Red or white?”
“Your house chardonnay, please.”
“Of course.” She cocked her head to the side. “A glass or bottle?”
“Bottle,” Kate coughed as I said, “A glass.”
“Coming right up,” the waitress replied, leaving Kate and me alone.
I eyed Kate.
She shrugged. “If you’re going to be stalked and drag me into the middle of it, I might as well get a good buzz out of it.”
I dramatically rolled my eyes. “Leave it to you to make light of a serious situation.”
“You only live once.” Kate’s eyes shimmered with delight.
The waitress reappeared with our drinks and set them down on the table.
“That was quick,” Kate remarked.
“Thank you,” I said.
“You’re welcome.” The lady smiled. “Feel free to wave me down if you two need anything else.”
I acknowledged her with a smile as my phone beeped with an incoming text message. I slid my fingers across the screen to open it.
Iris: Yep, I’m leaving work right now. What’s up?
I thought about waiting it out for Drake to leave. But I didn’t want to be stuck here until all hours of the night. I was tired, and I needed to get home before Damien did. Although I’d still have to explain to him why I was home without my car.
I texted Iris back.
Me: Would you mind giving me and Kate a ride home?
Iris: No problem. Where are you?
Me: At the bar across the street from my office.
Iris: I’ll be there in a few. Everything okay?
Me: Not really. I’ll tell you when you get here.
I set my phone down and peered across the table to look at Kate. “Iris is coming to get us.”
“That sounds like a good plan. Unless Drake leaves first.”
“I’m hoping he does, so we won’t have to leave our vehicles behind,” I replied, still confused as to what to do. “I’m just not sure how we’ll figure out if he’s left or not. I don’t want to go through the alley again until I’m positive he’s gone.”
“Me neither.”
Kate and I each took a sip of our drinks.
She returned her glass to the table and leaned forward. “So, what’s the scoop with Damien and his stepbrother?”
“All I know is, there’s a fiery animosity between the two of them,” I answered honestly. “They haven’t spoken much over the last fifteen years.”
“Wow.” Kate’s eyes bulged. “That’s a long time.”
“It is.”
Our waitress reappeared. “Hey, girls, is there anything else I can get you? Perhaps something to eat?”
I was hungry, so I said, “Maybe a cheeseburger and some fries, please?”
“Oh, that sounds delicious,” Kate chimed in. “I’ll have the same.”
“Coming right up.” She smiled and quietly dismissed herself.
&nbs
p; Kate and I sipped our drinks and talked about work for the next fifteen minutes until Iris arrived. She came rushing up to our booth, still wearing her purple work scrubs.
“What’s going on, Raelyn? Are you guys okay?” Iris fired off her questions, her hazel eyes plagued with worry.
“We are all right,” I reassured her, scooting toward the window so that she could sit down next to me. “Drake was parked next to my car after work, so we ran over here.”
“Damien’s stepbrother?” Iris squealed, lowering onto the bench and tucking her bag at her side. “What does he want?”
“I’m not sure, but I wasn’t going to stick around to find out.”
Iris’s brows rose. “Does Damien know?”
“No.” I shook my head. “He’s in Orlando until later tonight. I don’t want to worry him while he’s away.”
“Oh my gosh,” Iris exhaled, leaning back in her seat. “He’s going to shit a brick.”
“Probably,” I agreed.
Iris glanced between the glasses on the table. “What’s with the drinks, and where in the heck is mine?” she teased.
“We’ve decided to make the most of our time”—Kate grinned, lifting her martini to her lips—“and unwind while we’re at it.”
“That sounds like a brilliant idea.” Iris rotated to flag down the waitress. “Um, excuse me, ma’am?”
The waitress paused mid step and turned to face Iris.
“Can I please get what she’s having?” Iris queried, pointing to my drink.
“Sure thing.” The lady beamed. “Would you like a cheeseburger and fries, too?”
“Oh, yeah.”
The lady acknowledged Iris with a nod before walking off.
It wasn’t long before the three of us were eating and drinking and having a good time, exchanging conversations. Actually, it was a much-needed night of laughter with my friends. We each only had one drink before switching to water, but it was enough to feel refreshed, and the stresses from my day melted away. I had yet to receive a text or call from Damien to inform me that he was on his way home.
Kate was the first to ask, “So, do you think the stalker is gone, or do you think he’s still sitting in his truck, sulking that you haven’t arrived yet?”
A shiver raced down my spine at the word stalker. It creeped me out. “I don’t have the slightest clue,” I answered.
Kate suggested, “What if we hop into Iris’s car and drive around the side road on the opposite side of the office? Do you think we could see the parking lot without Drake spotting us?”
I thought about the layout before saying, “Yes, I believe so.”
“We can also speed off if he catches sight of us,” Kate piped in, hitting Iris with a smirk. “It’s not like our driver over here with a lead foot couldn’t ditch him.”
“True.” I laughed.
“Whatever. I don’t speed.” Iris snorted.
“Says the only one here with three speeding tickets,” I teased. I noted she was texting someone on her phone.
“Besides, I have a plan,” Iris said.
From the corner of my eye, I saw a large figure walking toward our table. I instantly jumped back and sucked in a gulp of air.
“Relax, it’s Joshua.” Iris laughed as her boyfriend approached us.
I exhaled deeply, utterly relieved.
“Hey, baby.” Joshua bent down and gave Iris a scorching kiss, as if he hadn’t seen her in ages. It was cute.
After their embrace, Iris turned her starstruck eyes on me. “I asked Joshua to meet us here.”
“Hey, Raelyn.” Joshua smiled kindly at me.
My expression mirrored his. “Hi, Joshua. Thank you for coming to help us.”
“No trouble,” he replied. “A white Yukon is still parked behind the building, so I’m going to go over there and get each of your cars, one at a time.”
“Awesome! Joshua to the rescue!” Kate whooped. She dug through her bag and found her keys before handing them to Joshua. “Me first, please. I have to get home before Noah’s shift ends. He’d freak out if I told him there was a man stalking the parking lot at my place of employment.”
“Okay. I’ll bring your car to the front of the building, so be ready,” Joshua informed her.
All three sets of our eyes were glued to the window when he went out the door, crossed the street, and disappeared into the alley.
The thump of my heart was fierce and uncontrollable. I was scared shitless. This was intense.
“Do you think he’ll be okay?” Kate asked.
“Oh, yes, he’s a black belt,” Iris gushed. “My man will kick Drake’s ass into next week if it comes to it.”
Not even a few minutes later, Kate’s car peeked out of the alley and pulled onto the street. We all sighed out in relief.
“Later, lovelies.” Kate reached over the table and hugged Iris and then me. “Be safe.”
“We will. See you tomorrow.” I squeezed her tight before letting her go.
“Sounds good!” Kate beamed before dashing out the door.
Iris and I returned our attention to the window, and we watched Joshua and Kate trade places. She sped off without delay.
Joshua entered the bar and came up to the table where he outstretched his hand to me. “Do you have your keys?”
“Yes.” I grabbed my purse and retrieved my keys before handing them to him.
“I’d say there’s a good chance that guy is going to be suspicious when I get in your car and drive off. I’m sure he’ll try to follow me.” Joshua intently eyed me. “I want you to ride with Iris to your house, and I’ll drive your car over. We’ll stay with you until Damien gets home, if need be.” He shifted his focus to Iris. “Keep your phone handy in case I need to get ahold of you.”
“I will,” Iris agreed without protest.
There was only one part of his plan that I was confused about, so I questioned, “What about your vehicle?”
“It can stay here. Iris can bring me back to collect it in the morning. I don’t want either of you driving alone.” Joshua tilted his head toward the exit of the bar. “I want you both to head to Raelyn’s now, so he doesn’t see you guys.”
Iris and I didn’t waste any time. I whipped open my wallet and laid enough cash on the table to cover our tab before the two of us flew out of the bar and got into her car.
“Raelyn, it really freaks me out that this guy is still waiting for you,” Iris said, strapping on her seat belt.
“Me, too,” I murmured, not liking the situation one bit.
All I wanted was for my friends to be safe and for Damien to return home.
ten
Damien
It was after dark when I entered my four-digit pin number to open the gates at the end of my driveway. I sped down the cobblestone path, eager to see Raelyn after a long workday and be in the comfort of our home. My meeting had run later than I’d intended, but it had ended productively.
I came around the first curve of palm trees and immediately sensed something was off when I saw the sensor lights in the middle of the yard were lit. My skin prickled, and I was instantly on guard.
I brought the car to an abrupt halt in front of the garage and turned off the engine before throwing open the door. Iris’s car was parked off to the side, and I wondered what she was doing here at this hour.
As I headed to the door, a loud branch snapping sounded off to the right side of the house. I spun toward the noise and took off in a sprint. There was rapid movement along the backside of the tall green bushes. My legs moved faster, gaining on the distinct sound of footsteps hitting the ground.
I was almost distracted when I heard a second set of footsteps from somewhere behind me, but I fully intended on catching this fucker first.
I came to the end of the bushes and leaped, throwing my body forward, with my arms spread wide at my target. I collided against a torso and fell to the ground where I banded my arms around the trespasser, wrestling him to his front to get a clear vie
w of his face.
“Get off of me, you piece of shit!” Drake spit, struggling beneath me.
I fisted his shirt with my hand and slammed him into the ground with all the strength I possessed, simmering with anger. “What in the fuck are you doing here, Drake?”
“What do you think?” he argued, fighting me.
A set of hands latched on to my shoulders. “Damien, what the hell? Who is this guy?”
“Get your fucking hands off me.”
I shook him off, keeping my hold on Drake, as I cocked my head to the side and eyed the second guy. “Joshua? What are you doing here?”
“I was trying to chase off this asshat.” Joshua pointed to Drake, who grabbed my arms and pushed against me in an effort to free himself. “He was snooping around your girl’s office today and followed her home tonight. He must have jumped the fence.”
I lost all control, seeing red. I firmly gripped Drake’s neck with my left hand, cocked back my right one, and snapped it forward with an earsplitting blow, hitting him straight in the center of his cheekbone.
I raised my fist again when Drake managed to peel his head off the grass. “You went to Raelyn’s work?”
“Yes. His white Yukon was parked next to Raelyn’s, so she had to call Iris for help,” Joshua accused, staring directly at my stepbrother.
Blood dripped from Drake’s mouth. “I’m so happy she came into your life.” He smiled threateningly. “I’ve waited a long time for this day. Now, you finally have something you care about, and I cannot wait until you know what it’s like for it to disappear from your very eyes.”
If there were any chance of Drake walking out of here on his own two feet, it was now gone. That dark person I’d tried to bury with my past surfaced, rushing forward. I was filled with a vile rage and fury, feeling no mercy, and I snapped.
Thirty years of pent-up aggression rippled out of me and penetrated my muscles, fueling me. I delivered blow after blow, connecting my fist with Drake’s face, as we wrestled. Drake tried to lift his arms to protect his face as he scrambled to dodge my punches, but it was useless against my unstoppable wrath. Deranged, I pinned him with my legs and relentlessly powered on with my ruthless assault.
“You’ll never come near her!” I roared. “Never, you hear me!”