Edge of Darkness Box Set

by Margaret McHeyzer

  “Get off the bus, Hannah,” he says as he crosses his arms in front of his chest. Two different guys flank him today. They look much more menacing and deadly than the guys from the café. He notices my reaction to them. “I didn’t like the way they were looking at you, so I got rid of them,” he says as if he can read my thoughts.

  I stare at him, swallowing the even bigger lump in my throat, but continue to get on the bus. I sit toward the back and try to not look at him. But I can’t help it. Turning, I see him standing outside, he’s shaking his head at me but looks amused. For a second, I feel happy because I think he’s going to leave me alone. But then realization hits, and I know this is nothing more than a game for him. He’s going to follow me home.

  The bus leaves and I exhale deeply, glad I was able to fight my libido on this one. Why must I feel like this?

  As the bus travels and makes several stops before reaching home, I keep looking behind me hoping to not see his car. But, all my hopes are squashed when at every stop his car is there. When it gets to my stop, he’s already waiting. He’s outside his car, smoking a cigarette. The two guys he has with him are out of the car too. Both wearing black shades, both dressed in identical suits, both standing like they’re protecting our President.

  Lowering my head, I don’t make eye contact with him as I make the trek up the hill, and around the corner to my house.

  “You can’t ignore me forever, Hannah.” He catches up to me in a few long strides. I ignore him. “I’m not going anywhere.”

  Anger begins to bubble inside me. I want to tell him to leave me alone, but I know if I engage in conversation, it’ll mean I’m opening the channel of communication. I don’t want to do that. Not with him.

  “If you don’t talk to me, then I’ll make sure I’m here when you’re leaving for school in the morning too.”

  “No!” I shout as I turn to face him. Damn it. I spoke. “Just leave me alone, Edgar. I’m not interested in you.” I clutch my bag to my chest and keep walking.

  He grabs hold of my arm, stopping me from walking away. I quickly gaze at the two men in suits, who look around them as if they’re making sure no one is near to bother us. “I can’t leave you alone. You’re mine,” he says.

  “What? I’m not yours, I’m not anyone’s. I’m my own person.” He lets out a belly laugh and throws his head back. This makes me so angry. Any attraction I was feeling for him is now long gone. “You’re an asshole. Leave me alone.” I break the hold he has on my arm and try to walk away…again.

  This time he grabs me by the hips, and pulls me back into his body. “What you don’t get, Hannah, is if I see something I want, I get it. I’m not a man who takes ‘no’ for an answer. I’m a man who gets what he wants. And right now, I want you.” He loosens the hard grip he has on my hips, and I step away from him.

  “You saw me for all of ten minutes at the café, and you decided you want me. Even though I’m clearly not interested in you,” I say defiantly.

  His eyes narrow and his lips curl up. He steps closer, and I turn my head away. I don’t want him this close to me; it’s messing with my head. I can’t do it and keep my sanity.

  “Problem is, my little kitty. I want you, and I know you want me too. It’s all over you. When you take a breath, it hitches. Your eyes dilate with excitement, and your nipples… hmmm your nipples.”

  Horrified, yet turned on, I look down to my breasts. Damn him. “Go to hell,” I say and step away from him. “I’m not your kitty, I’m not your anything. Stay away from me, or I’ll get the police involved.”

  As I’m walking away, he laughs at me again.

  Lowering my head, I walk as fast as I can to get home. When I’m there, I lock the front door, and check all the others are locked to make sure he can’t get in. But I know that’s useless. I suspect a man like him could find a way to get in if he wants.

  My heart rate is crazy high, and I’m shaking like a leaf at just the thought of him setting his sights on me. I have to break this stupid effect he has on me. In just the few interactions I’ve had with him, I know he’s dangerous. And he will hurt me. One way or another, he’ll wreck me.

  I look out the window, and see his black car sitting across the road. He’s sending me a message. A very loud one. He wants me, and he’s not going to stop ’til he gets me.

  But I don’t think going out with him will make him cut this possessive crap out. I think that would intensify it.

  I decide to not look out the front window anymore. I head to my room and try to start on my homework. But every sound, every movement freaks me out because I think it’s him. Everything is intensified, and I can’t concentrate on anything.

  My phone vibrates beside me, and I leap in response to it. A message from Kristen comes through. Hey girl, what’s happening?

  NMU—I respond.

  Nothing. Just talking to Brad. There’s a heap of love hearts next to his name.

  Awesome—I reply, still nervous and jittery about the guy sitting outside my house. I’m really not in the mood to talk. And I’m not going to tell anyone that a drug dealer has taken a liking to me and wants me. And I’m definitely not going to tell anyone how attracted I am to him, but I don’t want to be.

  U OK?

  Yep. Just doing homework.

  God, I hate lying. Hate it with a passion. But I’d rather lie then tell the truth in this case. It’s not something anyone else could understand.

  K—talk 18r.

  Curiosity gets the better of me, and I go out to the front window again to see if he’s still there. Thankfully his car is gone. But in place of his car is one of the two men. Standing across the road, looking at my house. What?

  I check up and down the road. Edgar’s car is gone. I decide to go and see why he left behind one of his men in black.

  I have a gut feeling I know what he’s going to say, but I have to hear it for myself. Unlocking the front door, I peek outside, making sure this isn’t an ambush. I know in my heart it’s not, but still I have to be careful. Crossing the street, I stand in front of the guy. “What are you doing here?” I ask.

  “I’m the first shift,” his voice is deadpan.

  Staring at him, I don’t quite understand what he’s saying. “What?”

  “I take the first shift guarding you. You’ll have a replacement when you get to school.”

  “What?” This is now insane. “I don’t need a… ” I wave my hand over him, not sure what to call him.

  “A bodyguard, Miss Mendes.”

  “A what?” I shriek even louder. “A bodyguard? Why the hell do I need a bodyguard?”

  “Mr. Zaro has appointed me to be your personal bodyguard, ma’am.”

  Edgar’s last name is Zaro? Seriously? Edgar Zaro? Even his name sounds like he’s dangerous. Next, I’ll be finding out he’s known as Edgar ‘Big Daddy’ Zaro. I chuckle to myself. What a stupid name. “You can call Mr. Zaro and tell him I’m refusing you and I don’t need you because the only person I need protection from is him.”

  This earns me a smirk. “He said you’d say that. And he told me if I leave you alone for one moment, he’d kill me. Sorry, ma’am, I value my life too much.”

  “He told you he’d kill you if you leave me alone?”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  “Can’t you see how insane this is?”

  “I get paid well to protect you.”

  “That doesn’t answer the question. Can’t you see how insane this is?” I ask again, stressing the actual question.

  “My job is to protect you, and that’s what I’m going to do.”

  This is beyond a damn joke. “Call him,” I say firmly.

  This guy is tall, maybe two heads taller than me. I’m over five foot eight, and he’d have to be six foot three easily. He looks down at me with a puzzled stare. “You want me to call him?” Suddenly, fear is clearly present.

  “Yes.”

  “I’ve been told not to interrupt him unless it’s an emergency with you.
”

  “Call him. Now.” I don’t give in.

  Hesitantly, he takes his phone out of his pocket, and calls Edgar. I snatch the phone out of his hand. He’s much bigger than me and could easily overpower me, but I already have it to my ear when Edgar answers. “She better not be hurt,” he says into the phone.

  “This is not normal. Get rid of him,” I say to Edgar.

  “What a pleasant surprise. It’s my kitty.”

  “Stop calling me that. I’m not your anything. Get rid of this guy. I don’t want him here.”

  “No can do. He’s there to stay. Get used to him.”

  “Edgar, this is crazy. You’re forcing yourself on me, and I don’t want you.”

  “You and I both know that isn’t true. You want me, but you don’t like the idea of me being a drug dealer. You think I’m going to be bad for you. Admit it, tell me you want me the way I want you.”

  “I don’t want you,” I say too quickly and in a crackly voice. He’s playing with my head. And I hate myself and him for it.

  “Then having a bodyguard shouldn’t bother you.”

  “Of course, it bothers me. Because THIS IS INSANE,” I yell. He’s so frustrating. “Leave me alone. I won’t do this with you.” I hang up abruptly and throw the phone to the ground, adding a few stomps to it too. The bodyguard looks at me and shakes his head. “Leave,” I yell at him with annoyance.

  He stands taller, and crosses his arms in front of his chest.

  I walk away from him. Angry and frustrated, I head back into the house and lock the door. The bodyguard stands outside, positioned like a military armored guard.

  Protecting.

  But who is there to protect me from but the man who hired him?

  Chapter 7

  Thankfully, Mom and Dad didn’t say anything about the guy standing outside our house because he’d left by the time they got home. Finally.

  “I have to leave in the next half hour, if you get ready I can take you to school,” Dad says as he sticks his head inside my bedroom the next morning.

  “I won’t be ready. I’ll catch the bus, it’s okay.”

  “Sure? I can wait for a few extra minutes.” He looks at his watch, and I can tell by the stressed look on his face that he really can’t wait.

  “Dad, it’s all good. I’ll catch the bus.”

  Dad sighs, and purses his lips together. With a concerned scowl, he sighs again. “I can wait.”

  “Go to work, I’ll be fine.”

  “Okay, love you,” he says as he comes in, gives me a kiss on the forehead and turns to leave. “Do you need money for school?”

  “Nah, I’m good.”

  “See you tonight, sweetheart.”

  “Love you,” I call while he’s closing my bedroom door.

  I hear the front door shut a few moments later, and I make sure it’s locked. I don’t know anything about Edgar, but what I do know is he obviously has the means to do whatever he wants. Exhibit A—the flowers. Exhibit B—the bodyguard yesterday.

  As I approach the door to check if it’s locked, I notice his black car on the opposite side of the road. Something stirs inside me. It’s a combination of frustration, anger, and excitement. None of which I shouldn’t be feeling. The worst thing is I’ve been expecting it.

  I decide to confront him—face to face.

  I head outside, no shoes on my feet, and not even ready for school yet.

  I get to his car, and rap on the back window. I know he’s not the type to drive himself around. The door opens, and he steps out.

  “You’re looking very adorable this morning, Hannah,” he says as he leans in to give me a kiss.

  I step back to avoid him. “What part of ‘leave me alone’ is hard for you to understand?” Angrily, I place my hands on my hips and fan them out to make me look more imposing then I actually am.

  “What part of, ‘you’re mine’ do you find hard to interpret?” he smarmily replies.

  “And how do you think this is going to work? I’m seventeen, you’re how old?” I ask pointing to him.

  “Twenty-eight.”

  My face scrunches up on its own. “Ewww. That’s disgusting. I’m not interested in someone as old as you. Nor am I interested in dating a drug dealer. And I can tell you right now, my parents won’t like you. You’re wasting your time with me. Find someone else to harass and stalk.”

  Turning away, I’ve said what I need to say. But he wraps his fingers around my wrist and yanks me back to him. “You don’t fucking walk away from me, Hannah. I gave you the benefit of the doubt yesterday, but this childish, bullshit behavior stops right now.”

  “You think you demanding I go out with you will work?” I step away again. “It won’t. And you’re insane. I’m not yours and I never will be.”

  He steps closer to me, and I automatically flinch. He lowers his head as if he’s embarrassed, but looks up to me with a fire burning in his eyes. “I’ll put it to you this way, so your pretty little head can understand.” He steps further into my personal space, and I step back. “You’re mine and no one on this planet is going to stop me from taking you. No one, Hannah, including you.”

  I stand staring at him for a second, before I feel the tears stinging my eyes. I will not cry in front of him and give him the satisfaction. “I don’t want you,” I say with conviction. “I will not be yours. Leave.” I back away from him, not daring to turn my back on him.

  “When will you be ready for school?” he calls after me.

  I ignore him as I break into a run back to my house, and lock the front door when I’m inside. I lean against the door, and bury my face in my hands, crying. He’s insane. My phone rings from inside my room, and I run to get it. Wiping the water from my cheeks, I take several deep breaths so I can compose myself before I answer the call. I swipe to answer, “Hello?”

  “I’m sorry for my behavior, kitty. I didn’t mean to scare you. I just… ” I hang up on him, before he can finish talking. My phone rings again. I ignore it, knowing it’s him.

  He’s relentless. As soon as I hang up, he calls again. Then I hear someone thumping on the front door. I know it’s him or one of the men he’s employed.

  Sitting on my bed, I take several deep breaths, trying to make sense of what’s happened. He’s dangerous. There’s not one iota of doubt in my mind about that.

  But… God, how I hate the ‘but.’ He’s overtaken all my thoughts, and the danger borders on thrilling. What is wrong with me?

  I keep making the decision to walk away, but then a part of me screams how this is exciting, illicit. Almost taboo.

  For now, I have to push him to the back of my mind, and get ready for school. Changing into jeans and a tank top, I slip my feet into my shoes and get my school bag ready. Checking the time, I know I’m already running late thanks to Edgar and his primal outburst.

  I open the door, to find his car still across the street, and him leaning up against it, smoking. I scrunch my nose when I see the cigarette between his fingers. He sees me, immediately stamps out the cigarette and jogs across the road to where I’ve already started walking toward the bus stop. “Go away,” I bark toward him. In a swift move, he grabs my bag, and begins walking back to his car. “Hey!” I yell.

  “You want it, you have to come with me.”

  “No! I’m not coming with you, Edgar. Leave me alone.”

  He turns and shows me a smile. “I like the way you say my name. The only thing sexier would be for you to call me Mr. Zaro when we have sex.”

  I arch a brow at him, disgusted at how sure he is we’re going to have sex. Ugh. “Well, imagine it as much as you want. You and I are not going to have sex. Ever. Now, give me my bag back. I’m already running late thanks to you.” I point at him, but hold my hand out for my bag.

  “I tell you what. Say Mr. Zaro, and I’ll give you your bag back.”

  “What?” I ask, perplexed.

  “Say my name, and I’ll give you your bag back.”

  “Yo
u’ll walk over to me, and give me my bag. I’m not going anywhere near your car. You’re a stalker and a weirdo who’ll most likely push me into the car and kidnap me.”

  “I’d do no such thing,” he enunciates clearly. “But they would.” He chuckles as he points to the two bodyguards.

  If I say his stupid name, then he’ll give me my bag back, and hopefully I’ll make it to school on time. Taking a breath, I stare at Edgar. “Mr. Zaro,” I say then hold my hand out for my bag.

  “See, that wasn’t so hard, was it?” He continues walking toward his car.

  “Hey, give me my bag back.”

  “I have every intention of giving your bag back to you.” He opens the passenger door to his car, pulls the zip of my backpack down and empties everything on the seat. He walks over with my bag and hands it to me. “There you go,” he says with amusement. His eyes are smiling as much as his lips. “Your bag.”

  “Edgar!” I shriek when he hands it to me. “I need my things for school. I don’t have time for this crap. I need my stuff.”

  “Then you better get in my car. And I’ll give you everything back when I take you to school.”

  “This is insane, just like you are.”

  “But it’s the only way you’re going to get your things back. If you want them, then you better hurry up and get in the car.” He looks at his shiny, gold watch. “We’re going to have to speed to get you there in time. And I’m a law-abiding citizen. I wouldn’t want to be stopped by the police.” He sarcastically chuckles. Yes, a law-abiding drug dealer.

  Defeated, I walk toward his car. I need my things for school, but it doesn’t mean I’m going to talk to him on the way there. He holds the back door open for me, and I slide into the plush, leather back bench seat.

  “Nice of you to join me,” he says. He’s laughing at me. But I’m not replying. He slides in beside me, but on the opposite side. I look out the window, as one of his men packs my bag, and holds it in his lap on route to school. “You’re an interesting woman, Hannah,” he says.