Taken by You (Killer Next Door #2)

by Carlie Sexton

  “I’m ready, Charlie,” Natalie said.

  “Nat, I’ll call you later,” Kate said, giving her another hug.

  “Okay” was the only word Natalie could muster.

  The car ride home was somber. Natalie had always been a rock in Kate’s life. Now it was her turn to be there for Natalie. She would do whatever it took to help Natalie through this. Neil kept his hand on hers, but thankfully, seemed to know she wasn’t in the mood to talk. He somehow knew her so well that he could read her moods, which was so reassuring.

  They walked in the door and Kate felt heavy. Life was short and could be over in an instant, without any warning. Kate looked up into Neil’s eyes. “Neil, I love you. I’m so thankful you’re in my life.

  He nuzzled his nose to hers. “I love you as well, baby.”

  “I’m going to go upstairs and soak in the tub,” she said.

  “Would you like some company?” he asked with a tilted head.

  “I’d love some.”

  ***

  After her bath with Neil and some much needed alone time, Kate went downstairs to get them both a glass of wine. Her phone was sitting on the counter so she checked for messages. Michelle had texted her inviting her out for coffee tomorrow. Kate texted back agreeing to meet after class, but invited her over instead of going out. After running into Roger, Kate wasn’t particularly anxious to go out. Being at home gave her a feeling of safety, especially now that she had a guard at the door.

  ***

  Kate could hear Hicks talking to Michelle before she opened the door. He was questioning her even though he was aware Michelle was coming over. Kate ushered Michelle in and closed the door, leaving Hicks on the other side.

  “Wow, that was quite a welcome,” Michelle said.

  “I’m so sorry. It’s a long story, but right now I want to know how you’re doing?”

  Kate had set up coffee and some banana bread out on the terrace. The two women adjourned there to soak in some sun and the tranquility only the ocean could provide.

  “Going to Tim’s funeral was the hardest thing I’ve ever done. He was so young and seeing him in a casket…” Michelle covered her mouth, her eyes filling with tears.

  Kate put her hand on Michelle’s. “I can’t imagine what you’re going through. I’m so sorry for your loss.”

  “Well, you have an idea since your boyfriend died.”

  “I wasn’t allowed to go to his funeral because his mother blamed me for his accident.”

  “Oh my God, that’s horrible.”

  “Yeah, but what could I do? We weren’t married, so I didn’t have any say over what happened.”

  Michelle nodded. “I know this wouldn’t be any easier if Tim and I had been married, but at least I would’ve had wife status. Being there as his college sweetheart was awkward. I met another one of his girlfriends he dated after me. She wasn’t too happy I was there and let me know every chance she got.”

  “That sucks. What are you thinking you’re going to do now?” Kate asked.

  “I want to go to counseling so I can move on like you have.”

  Kate smiled as thoughts of Neil paraded through her mind. Her wonderful man. “I feel so fortunate I went to counseling so I could open myself up to a new relationship. It’s been amazing to have Neil in my life.”

  Michelle exhaled loudly. “I must admit I want what you have. I could see how much Neil loves you yesterday at the hospital. It was really touching. I want to be able to have that again.”

  “You will. It’s just going to take time and effort. My therapist is amazing and I’ll be happy to give you his number so you can begin the healing process.”

  Michelle shared more about her relationship with Tim and Kate shared about how things were going with Neil. Michelle was taken aback to hear about Roger and his obsessive behavior but she was glad to know Kate had security protecting her.

  When Michelle left, Kate felt elated to have a new friend. They’d connected on a very deep level with such similar past events intertwining them. Kate hoped finding love again was in Michelle’s immediate future.

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  Kate

  Kate took a week off before she started working at Neil’s office. She desperately needed a break. Her brain had been on overdrive for weeks and the downtime took the edge off her frazzled nerves. She was still in disbelief about her mother keeping secrets about her father from her for ten years. There was nothing she could do about it. She knew things weren’t always as simple as her mother made them out to be. All she could do was go on with life and focus on the good instead of the bad. It was hard to get past the betrayal and the fact she could never mend her relationship with her father. She knew, from her time in counseling with Dr. Cox, she had to forgive her mother and father if she wanted to have happiness and peace. Otherwise, she would be burdened with the same anger and bitterness that had consumed them—feelings, she knew, would destroy what she was fighting so hard to have: a life with the man she loved.

  Before Neil, she might not have cared. Her entire life had been overshadowed by her own guilt and loss. It was as if she went through the motions of living for years without even realizing how unfulfilling her life was. Meeting Neil changed all of that. With him, just existing was no longer an option. For that, and much more, she was beholden to him. They belonged to each other and she was determined that nothing ruin their life together.

  Jessica’s tragic death had been another reminder she couldn’t take her life for granted. She’d helped Natalie make arrangements for Jessica’s memorial service. It had been a lovely service, held exactly a week after the accident. Natalie seemed to be holding up okay, but she was grief stricken and numb. She couldn’t risk Roger finding her, so as Natalie was still staying with Charlie, Kate was prevented from spending time with her. She talked to her daily and sent lots of text messages offering hope and encouragement.

  Having a constant shadow wasn’t easy to get used to. She’d had a bodyguard for the past week. Every time she left the condo, either Zack or Porter was there to protect her. After seeing Roger at California Pizza Kitchen, she seemed to see him everywhere for the next few days. Her mind was playing tricks on her. Even men who didn’t really look like Roger ended up resembling him in her mind. She was terrified, but having the security made it easier to go about her daily life.

  Dressed in casual clothes, Zack and Porter blended in on campus. When she was in the classroom, one of them stood out in the hall near the door. She had overheard some of her female classmates’ remarks on how handsome Porter was, but none of them realized he was there to protect her. She basically kept to herself so no one knew what was going on. It was better that way. It was bad enough Charlie and Mitch were in danger because of her. She didn’t want to endanger her classmates as well. Kate still felt responsible for Mark’s disappearance, and until that was resolved, she knew she always would.

  ***

  After class she would start working at Neil’s office. They agreed they wouldn’t disclose their relationship to the majority of people working at the firm. He would tell his dad and his assistant, Laura, who Kate would report to directly. Neil had spoken of Laura in such glowing terms she was looking forward to meeting and working with her.

  Since Porter drove her to the office and everywhere else, she was becoming accustomed to having a chauffeur. When all of this was over, it was going to be difficult to drive herself. But when would it be over? When Roger killed another person and they could find enough evidence to arrest him? He’d already gotten away with murder twice. Maybe three times. Would he finally get arrested after he killed her? Chills spread throughout her body as she considered different scenarios involving Roger.

  “We’re here, Miss Simmons,” Porter said, shaking her from her thoughts, as they arrived at the office.

  “Thank you, Porter. I was just thinking…”

  He came around and opened her door. As she got out, she asked, “Are you coming in or staying out here?”


  “I’ll be staying out here, Miss Simmons. The front entrance is the only unlocked part of the building. All of the other exits are only accessible from the inside. I’ll be, in essence, guarding the door.”

  “Good to know,” she said, beginning to walk toward the entrance. “I’ll see you after work.”

  He didn’t answer but nodded. Porter was a man of few words, yet his presence kept her calm.

  Kate knew Neil was in court today and she was to report directly to Laura. She checked in with Arnold, the security officer, and received her employee badge. He directed her to go up to the fourteenth flour but she already knew that from Neil.

  She glanced at her watch as she rode the elevator. She was about three minutes late. Stopping to go to the bathroom at school had not been the best idea, so she hoped Laura wasn’t a stickler for timeliness.

  Stepping off the elevator into the beautifully decorated office space, Kate appreciated the sleek and modern area, with its ivory limestone flooring and pale blue walls. It was serene with demure scenic artwork completing the sophisticated ambiance. She waited for the front receptionist to end her call and then asked for Laura. The receptionist directed her to Laura’s desk.

  Kate walked with urgency toward Laura’s desk. She was now five minutes late. “Hi, I’m Kate,” she said, extending her hand.

  Laura shook Kate’s hand. “I’m Laura,” she said, looking at her watch. “Just so you know, promptness is an expectation here at Statton and Goldstein.”

  “I completely understand. It won’t happen again,” she said.

  “Let me show you what you’ll be doing and you can get started.”

  Kate followed Laura to the file room. She could see why they needed help. File boxes had been piled everywhere. Laura handed her a notepad and pen to take notes, then proceeded to describe the filing system and what was expected. Kate wrote down all of the important key points and then Laura left her to get started. As Laura departed, she informed Kate she was entitled to a thirty-minute lunch break and an afternoon break.

  This was by no means her dream job, but it kept her out of the public eye and Roger wouldn’t be able to find her here. She was safe and that was all that mattered.

  The day zoomed by and before she knew it was time to leave. Neil popped his head into the file room.

  “Hey, beautiful. Ready to call it a day?” Neil asked with a stack of folders in his hands. Kate knew he would be spending part of the evening preparing for clients.

  Kate looked up from the filing drawer she was bending over. “I’m ready whenever you are, Mr. Statton.”

  She got up slowly and sauntered over to him. Her muscles were tired from leaning over all day. She wanted to kiss him and hold his hand, but she knew that would have to wait until they were home. She didn’t want to blow their cover on her first day.

  They started walking toward the elevator. “How did things go with Laura today? Did she show you the ropes?”

  “Yes, everything went great.”

  “Well, Laura is my right-hand around here. I don’t know what I would do without her.”

  The doors opened and they both entered the elevator. Once the doors closed, Neil pushed her into the wall, covering her body with his. He crushed his mouth to hers, kissing her with abandon. His hands slid up her thighs to her hips, along her curves to her waist. He continued up her ribs to cup her breasts. His kiss was urgent, like he was kissing her for the first time. It was so hot to think at any moment the doors could open and they could be caught. Kate’s heart was thumping in her chest and she wished they were at home so she could tear his clothes right off him. Her insides melted like molten lava from Neil’s kiss and roaming hands. He had a way of making even something as simple as riding the elevator seem sensual. Kate was relieved they made it to the bottom floor without anyone joining them on the elevator. Neil released her when he realized they were on the bottom floor. The doors opened. Porter was there waiting.

  “Porter,” Neil said, nodding.

  “Sir, will I be driving Miss Simmons tonight or will she be riding with you?”

  “I’d like to drive my girl tonight,” Neil responded as they walked toward the door. Just then, the other elevator door opened and Laura walked out into the lobby. Neil caught a glimpse of her approaching.

  “Have a good evening, Laura.”

  “You too, Mr. Statton,” she called. She said nothing to Kate. It was clear Laura didn’t like Kate, but was tolerating her for her boss’s sake. Neil seemed to be oblivious to Laura’s coolness toward her. Typical male. She realized minding her p’s and q’s was of utmost importance where Neil’s assistant was concerned.

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  Roger

  Thanksgiving was rapidly approaching and Roger hadn’t spotted Kate at school or leaving the apartment she shared with Neil. In fact, he’d spent almost an entire day in front of the parking garage and Kate’s car hadn’t moved. Had she quit school too? It struck him as odd he couldn’t get his eyes on her. He saw her boyfriend leaving for work, but Kate was nowhere to be seen. It was time to investigate the building, learn the exits, and perhaps break into Neil Statton’s apartment. He could obtain evidence that Kate lived there by searching the place.

  Having Paulina around all the time had put a dent into how much time he could dedicate to finding Kate. Paulina was more demanding than he remembered. She hadn’t found a job yet and wasn’t looking that hard, as far as he was concerned, which annoyed him. She seemed content to have him pay all of the bills and provide for her and Jacob with him getting nothing in return. She could at least fuck him when he wanted to, but she’d refused, saying it would confuse Jacob since they weren’t technically a couple.

  She’d always wanted to be a stay-at-home mother. That would’ve been fine with him if Jacob had still been at home all day. But Jacob was in the first grade, so Paulina didn’t have anything to do while he was at school. This made him anxious since she was always around and in his business. He needed her to get out of the house and do something with her life so the whining would stop. If only she would be useful to him, but that ship had sailed.

  There was also immense tension between Paulina and Rose. Both women seemed to have marked their territory. The only difference was Rose shared his bed and Paulina didn’t. Rose was at least a better lay than Paulina and willing to do whatever he wanted in and out of bed. Paulina didn’t want Jacob to be around Rose. She didn’t like Rose and wanted him to break up with her. This was the source of constant bickering between them. Every chance she got, Paulina was in his face about Rose. It had begun to take its toll, even though she’d only been back for a few weeks. He was growing tired of her trying to control everything.

  Rose had been very welcoming to Paulina, but that changed when she finally realized Paulina wasn’t actually unfriendly, she was just unfriendly to Rose. He had to get into the middle of them one evening when Rose snapped and called Paulina a “cold bitch.” Things went downhill from there. He could no longer invite Rose over and if he decided to spend time with Rose at her place, Paulina pouted. Trying to find Kate was a welcome distraction from all of the female drama that had invaded his life. Something was going to need to change soon. Maybe it was time for him to get out his tools and cut one of these stupid bitches out of his life.

  The garage doors opened at Neil’s condo. A black sedan pulled out with a man in the driver’s seat and a young woman in the backseat. The car went by quickly, but he was sure he’d caught a brief glimpse of Kate. It was definitely her! He could make out her silhouette as the car sped by.

  Starting his car, he proceeded to follow them. Maybe this was the break he needed. He managed to stay a few cars behind them, assuming they were heading to SDSU. It was time for her to go to class. When the sedan took the college exit, he realized she hadn’t quit school. She had someone protecting her and that’s how she’d skirted him for the past couple of weeks. He parked on the street outside of the parking garage, watching and waiting f
or her to appear.

  As if on cue, Kate walked out of the parking garage with her security guard in toe. He could tell the guard was ex-military by the way he carried himself. His presence would be problematic, but Roger knew he would find a way to overcome this obstacle. Why did she make things so difficult? Didn’t she realize he didn’t want to hurt her? He wanted to be with her. Maybe her boyfriend understood what a threat he was and had been wise enough to take this precaution. Seeing her today clarified for him she was worth fighting for. She looked more beautiful than ever. He hoped she appreciated everything he was going through to have her in his life. He would take on anyone or anything that got in his way, even if he had to take on a former Navy Seal. No doubt she would truly appreciate having that gorilla off her back too.

  All he needed was a plan. A plan he could execute that would result in Kate becoming his.

  ***

  Kate

  Kate entered her class with time to spare. She decided to review her notes since she’d made it a policy not to befriend anyone. Being friends with her was dangerous. Jennifer and Tracy walked in talking. “Can you believe they found parts of Mark out in Alpine?” Jennifer asked.

  “I know. It’s so creepy. The hikers who found him must’ve freaked out when they opened the bags,” Tracy said, her body shaking at the repulsion of the thought.

  Kate couldn’t help but overhear. “Do the police have any suspects?” she asked.

  “Not yet,” Jennifer responded. “The news said the police didn’t have any leads.”

  Kate nodded, but started shaking on the inside. Her throat burned from the rising bile. This was all her fault, and there was nothing she could do about it. Poor Mark died because he was interested in her, because he showed up at her apartment and Roger got the wrong idea. This meant Neil could be in danger. If anything happened to him, she would…she didn’t know what she would do. She couldn’t wrap her mind around having a life without him, but he didn’t have any security detail protecting him. That needed to change immediately.