“This is the temporary code. You’ll need to enter it on the keypad to get in and out. If you want to change it, we can contact the company later.”
She studied the control box. “What happens if the alarm goes off? What if I forget about it and open the door?”
“You’ll have a minute to enter the proper code. If it’s not entered, the police will be dispatched.”
She met his gaze before closing her eyes. “I’m sorry. I haven’t even thanked you for going to all this trouble.”
He rubbed her back. “It’s as much for me as it is for you.”
She raised her head and regarded him. “Right.” The ghost of a smile played around her lips.
He shrugged. “It’s true. I’m not going to get any rest if I’m worrying about you.”
He wouldn’t get any rest until this bastard was dead or behind bars, but he wasn’t about to reveal that to Tessa. He knew she already felt guilty about accepting his help. He’d bet if she had the chance to do it again, she never would have involved him in the first place. Resentment threatened. He didn’t need protection; she did.
“You don’t need to worry.” She met his gaze. The circles under her eyes tugged at his heart.
“It’s not an option, angel.”
She sighed. “Thank you. For everything.” She laid her hand on his chest.
The touch of her fingers was enough to make him want her again. Possession and protection swirled through him.
“Go ahead and set the alarm. I’m going to my place to grab some clothes. I’ll be back in a bit.”
“Okay.”
Misgivings immediately assailed him. “Will you be all right here by yourself?”
She nodded. Her huge eyes dominated her drawn face. Everything within him screamed not to leave her alone.
“Why don’t you come with me?”
Laughter brightened her tired eyes. “Unless you’re planning to be gone long enough to grow a crop of cotton, shear some sheep and weave your own clothes, I’m sure I’ll be fine while you pack. You worry too much.”
Zander entered his darkened apartment, unable to shake the feeling that she was wrong. Greeted only by the quiet bubbling of the fish tank and the angry, red blinking of the answering machine, he locked his door.
He pushed play. Monique reported that the department head had granted his emergency family leave. Not that it mattered. He wouldn’t have left Tessa even if it had been denied. His job paled in comparison to her safety.
The second, third and fourth messages were from Aidan, demanding an update. By the fifth message, his friend had become increasingly worried. Zander took pity on him and returned his call.
“About time you rang me! What the bloody hell is going on? Is everything all right?” Aidan sounded like a harried fishwife.
Zander grinned at the first, real amusement he’d had all day. “Yeah. I got the recording device like you suggested, changed the locks and there’s a state-of-the-art security system installed at Tessa’s place.” His stomach churned. Why didn’t it feel like enough?
His friend exhaled a sigh of relief. Zander wished he could do the same. But something ate at him. The feeling that he’d left important details undone.
“I’m glad everything is okay,” Aidan said, drawing him back to the conversation. “You had me worried.”
“Me, too.”
“Do you have time to answer a couple of questions on your lesson plan for Abnormal Psych?”
“Sure.” Zander figured he could pack as he talked. He wouldn’t ask her until the stalker was caught but if everything went as well as he hoped, this would be the first night of the rest of his and Tessa’s life together.
* * * *
No more than thirty seconds after Zander left the apartment, Tessa’s cell phone rang. She studied the screen. It listed the number as unknown. A solicitor. Or worse. She decided to let the call go to her voicemail.
No sooner had the ringing of the cell stopped, then the apartment phone started. The “unknown” listing came up on the caller ID screen. Tessa’s stomach fluttered as her hand hovered over the receiver. Without knowing exactly how, she realized that everything was about to change.
The whir of her answering machine sounded in the otherwise quiet room. Her greeting followed, seeming far too cheerful. “Hi. This is Tessa—”
She snatched the phone from the cradle. “Hello?”
“I thought he’d never leave.” The voice had a mechanical quality as if it was altered somehow.
“Who is this?” she demanded. Anger sluiced over her and washed away the days of fear and uncertainty.
“Turn off the recording device your boyfriend installed, and we’ll talk.”
“Okay,” she said. “It’s off.”
“Tessa, Tessa, Tessa. How stupid do you think I am?”
“What do you mean?”
His tone went from conversational to aggressive in a heartbeat. “I’m watching you, bitch. Turn it off. Now.”
She tried to swallow past the fear lodging itself in her throat as she peered through the living room window.
“Either do it, or I take out my frustration on the dyke.”
“Don’t do it, Tessa!” Cat yelled in the background. A thud and a cry of pain followed.
Dear God, he has Cat. Tessa’s stomach plummeted to her feet and through the floor. She switched off the device. “It’s off. I turned it off. Just leave her alone. Don’t hurt her!”
“That’s better,” the mechanical voice practically cooed.
Uncontrollable shivers coursed through her body. She still didn’t recognize the voice, but the cadence seemed familiar.
“Let me tell you what’s going to happen,” he continued. “In two-and-a-half hours you’re going to 605 Prospect. Enter through the side door and follow the stairs to the third door on the right.
“If you tell anyone, the dyke dies. If you don’t show up, she dies.”
Cold rage enveloped her. “Don’t you touch her!”
“Now, before you get any cute ideas about telling your boyfriend about me,” he continued as if she hadn’t spoken. “You should know that your phone is tapped. I’ve got access to satellite monitoring of your cell. Your apartment is bugged with audio and video.”
She couldn’t suppress her outrage but then calmed. He was trying to manipulate her. What were the chances he’d actually done what he’d said?
“By the way, I don’t care for the term ‘whack-job.’ I’m not mentally disturbed. I’m simply angry. Very, very angry.”
Oh God. He had been listening. Had this pervert been privy to everything? Had he watched her undress and shower? Watched her make love with Zander? Her stomach lurched, and she thought she might be sick.
“I don’t think you realize how serious this situation is. I will kill your friend. Don’t think you can go next door to your boyfriend’s and use his phone to alert the authorities. I’ve hired a man to watch your every move and report to me if you deviate from the plan.”
“Just don’t hurt her. Please.”
“That’s nice. I like it when you beg. Plan to do a lot more of that in the near future.”
She pressed her lips together, rejecting his bait.
“If you try to find the equipment, she dies. If you don’t leave through your front door, alone, at eight-fifteen p.m., she dies. If you do not drive directly here, she—”
Tessa snapped. “She dies! I get it. I get it.” Her world spun madly out of control. She dug her fingernails into her palm.
The roar of a gunshot followed by Cat’s scream filled her ear. Oh my God! Cat!
“That was a warning shot,” the stalker grated. “Next time you piss me off, the bullet goes right into her pretty little face.”
Tessa’s heartbeat still thundered, but she tried to calm herself. He had to be close. She’d heard the gunshot in stereo. Over the phone and a muffled version through the closed window.
She forced composure she didn’t feel. “Why two-and-
a-half hours? Why not now?”
“Are you so eager to see me again? I’m touched.”
She refused to let him intimidate her. “Why?”
“Patience is a virtue.”
She paced the floor, stifling a strangled growl.
He laughed, clearly delighted to have the upper hand. “I need time to prepare for you. I’ve been waiting a long time to give you the payback you deserve. For the last eight years, I’ve thought about you every single day.”
“Edward,” she whispered. It had to be him. The time frame was right, and before he’d gone to prison, he’d been a brilliant computer programmer—some said hacker. If anyone could manage satellite monitoring of her cell phone and covert video surveillance, it would be him.
“Very good. I’d hoped you’d be clever enough to figure it out. By the way, after I’m done with you, I’m going to go visit Jennifer. She’s coming up on her sweet sixteen, you know.”
Tessa squeezed the phone until her fingers ached. The man was beyond sick.
“Now, I want to be sure you’ve got everything. Repeat the instructions to me like a good girl.”
She took a deep breath. “If I show up, you’ll release Cat?”
“Only if you follow the rules.”
“Let me talk to her.”
“Of course.”
Tessa heard the sound of ragged breathing in her ear. “Cat?” she asked, unable to keep the trepidation from her voice.
“Hey, sweetie.” Cat sounded so frightened, but Tessa could tell she was trying not to show it.
“Are you okay? Has he hurt you?” she blurted. She’d kill him, if he had.
“Don’t come,” Cat whispered. “He’s going to kill you.”
A slap halted her words. The sound was so sharp, Tessa winced and raised her fingers to her cheek. In the background, she heard Cat whimper.
“She’s not stupid. She knows what I’m going to do to her. Don’t you, angel.”
Tessa nearly cried out at his use of Zander’s endearment.
“I’ve been practicing on the others,” he volunteered.
Ice coated Tessa’s skin. “What others?”
“A couple of your boyfriend’s students. I really enjoyed Kayla, but we were interrupted before I could finish her.” Regret shadowed his words.
“Emily got away before we could even get started. But I’ll take care of them later. I hate leaving things unfinished, don’t you?”
This was because of her. Innocent people tortured and the only one she could save was Cat. No. She’d helped save Jennifer, but to what end? He’d go back for her.
“Why?” she asked. “Why not just come after me? Why hurt them?”
He laughed, and the sound scraped her nerved endings. “I wanted to be sure I had just the right technique for you.”
“So,” he continued, in a chipper tone. “Let’s call it a date.”
She straightened her shoulders as grim determination filled her. “I’ll be there.” She’d do whatever was necessary to save Cat.
“Remember, I’ve got nine more bullets. Don’t make me kill your friend. See you soon. Angel.”
Chapter Sixteen
The telltale click of a disconnected line assaulted Tessa’s ear, and the front door opened. She whirled around as Zander stepped inside with a duffle bag and briefcase. From the corner of her eye, she could see the blinking message light on the answering machine.
Damn it! Her stupid machine had recorded the conversation. She couldn’t let Zander hear it. The stalker would kill Cat for sure.
“Phone call?” he asked.
She looked stupidly at the receiver she still held.
“Let’s see how the recorder worked,” he said.
“Actually, I was trying to call for a pizza, but the line’s busy.” She could imagine Edward’s shadowed figure, watching and listening, nodding his approval.
Zander walked toward the kitchen. “I think there’re some leftovers from the other night. Want me to check?”
Tessa nodded, unable to speak. Her life had taken a turn for the surreal. Zander went about the business of warming up dinner for them as if they had a normal life. In the matter of a few hours, she’d be dead.
She didn’t want to leave him like this. She wanted to admit her love, stay with him forever, have his children. But this was the end. Soon, she’d be only a sad memory.
Her heart ached at the pain she knew she’d cause. First Julia; now her. He’d see this as another failure, but she didn’t have a choice. Cat didn’t deserve this kind of torment. And this was the only way to save her.
Zander watched her from the doorway of the kitchen, trying to suppress his desire for her. She’d seen that expression far too many times recently not to know what he was thinking.
Cognizant of the fact that a third party observed her actions, she turned off the lights as she walked toward Zander. The hallway bulb, the only illumination in the apartment, backlit him, shrouding his features.
“What’s going on, angel?” His husky voice shot through her and need pooled heavy and low in her abdomen. She glanced behind him at the glowing numbers on the microwave clock. She swallowed past the knot in her throat. Just enough time for goodbye.
She stopped before him and trailed her fingertips up his chest. “I’m not really hungry right now.” She felt the breath that lodged in his lungs.
“No?”
She shook her head. Twining her arms around his neck, she urged his mouth to hers. With a groan, he backed her against the wall. Pinioned between the cold plaster and the heated planes of his body, she wanted to cry. Not because of any lingering fear, but because these would be her last moments with the man she loved.
She wanted to tell him how she felt. The words threatened to break free, but she couldn’t shake the sensation that telling him would only make it worse after she was gone. She refused to do that. Instead, she poured her emotions into every kiss, every caress, every whisper of breath they shared.
It no longer mattered that if they were able to remain together. He’d eventually realize he was mistaken about his feelings for her. For this night, she’d accept his love and give all of herself in return.
She tried not to think of the stalker watching. In the larger scheme of things, it didn’t really matter. She’d be dead soon. Embarrassment paled in comparison to the importance of saying goodbye to Zander.
Tessa pulled back to gaze into his eyes. “Come to bed.”
He studied her, concern and want playing out across his face.
“I—” She’d almost said it. She’d almost confessed her love. “I need you.” Her voice quavered for a moment as she fought for control of her emotions.
She laced their fingers together and led him to the bedroom. Stopping next to the bed, she unbuttoned his shirt. He shrugged from it, and the garment fell to the floor. Smoothing her hands over his bare chest, she savored his firm muscles under her fingertips.
She leaned forward and circled his nipple with her tongue. His breath hissed through clenched teeth, and he drove his fingers through her hair, pulling her head back.
The fiercely-possessive expression in his eyes sent spirals of need curling through her abdomen. Holding his gaze, she trailed her mouth down, over the silky swirls of hair, dipped her tongue in his navel then kept going. His entire body vibrated with barely leashed ardor as he caressed the nape of her neck.
Kneeling, she unbuttoned the waistband of his jeans and exposed his straining cock and stroked her hand down the thick shaft, the veins tickling her palm. With her free hand, she shoved his pants and underwear to his ankles and helped him kick them off. Within moments, all of his clothes lay heaped on the floor. Not waiting another moment, she took him in her mouth and all the way down her throat, pulling a hoarse cry from his lips. His fingers twisted in her hair and he groaned, a harsh, ragged sound. His voice tightened her nipples, and an answering tug constricted her womb and dampened her panties. Using both hands, she tugged at his balls and car
essed his length while devouring as much of him as she could.
Without warning, Zander grabbed her shoulders and dragged her back to a standing position. “You have too many clothes on,” he rasped against the side of her neck.
She glanced at herself and back to him. “I think you may be right.” Discreetly checking the time on her alarm clock, she skimmed off her sweater and threw it past his head. Her pants and underclothes followed.
The chilled air kissed her flesh. Her nipples pebbled further under Zander’s heated stare. Bending, he captured one of the sensitive peaks in his mouth. His rough chin and cheeks abraded her skin as he moved back and forth between her breasts, sucking and biting. He seemed almost as desperate and driven as she felt. He devastated her senses, nipping, laving, sucking. Every pull of his mouth made her pussy ache to be filled. Tiny bolts of electricity zinged along her nerve endings, and she arched against him with a groan.
“I love the sounds you make.” He covered her breast with one large, warm hand and slid the other over her belly to find her slick and ready for him. “God, you’re wet,” he breathed.
“You do that to me.”
His wicked grin was barely visible in the near-dark, as his fingers slid over her clit before slipping them inside her. “I’d like to do a lot of things to you.”
The thick digits stretched her, and her head fell back as he pumped in and out of her clenching body. He dragged his lips over her throat and up to her ear. “I need you.”
Turning her, he guided her back to sit on the bed. Lowering himself to his knees, he slid his hands up her thighs, spreading her legs. He met her gaze, his expression feverish as he placed a hand in the center of her chest and pushed her back to rest on her elbows. Draping her legs over his shoulders, he lowered his head and dragged his tongue along her cleft.
She nearly flew off the bed at the feel of his mouth on her pussy. Over and over, he licked her, caressed her with his lips and fingers. And when he suckled her clit, she cried out his name, her release slamming into her with the force of an explosion. He stroked her as she came down from the most intense orgasm she’d ever had then lay next to her and pulled her to land on top of him. She was still shaking. She’d never allowed herself to be this vulnerable before.
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