by Alice Ward
“Better,” I gasped and our mouths collided together once more.
CHAPTER TEN
e
I slowed down my pace, bringing the running back down to a jog. Sweat dripped down my neck, collecting in that gross way it sometimes does in the middle of my sports bra.
Not that it mattered. Nothing — not even a bra full of sweat — could bring me down. Life was perfect.
The last few days with Cristiano had been amazing. I could hardly believe it. We’d spent each evening together. That night would be our last before he went on a business trip to New York for a few days. Without him home, I would be looking at a clear weekend, save for my time at the orphanage.
Though we’d still only just begun dating, I couldn’t bear the thought of being without him for any longer than three days. The whole thing thrilled me, invigorated me… and terrified me.
What if Cristiano really was the one? In some other set of circumstances, that would have been great and nothing else. But in my life… well, it was complicated.
I stopped at a park bench to cool down. A breeze picked up and cooled the sweat on my face. I closed my eyes and breathed deep, listening to the sounds of happy people all around. The 606 was alive with families, cyclists, and runners enjoying spring. The elevated trail, made on an old railroad line, was one of my favorite places to run. It could be sunny up there, but it was also landscaped and beautiful.
After chugging the rest of the water left in my bottle, I headed down to the street. There was just enough time to shower and then run by Whole Foods on the way to Cristiano’s. I’d promised to make dinner that night, and though I still didn’t have a meal plan put together, I was hoping inspiration would strike once I got to the grocery store.
The sunlight glinted off car hoods, striking me in the eyes as I walked down the sidewalk. I waited for a break in the traffic, then hopped into my car and cranked the AC. Reaching over, I grabbed my seat belt — and then froze. Parked a couple spots down, and visible in the side mirror, was a black SUV.
I knew it wasn’t the one from that day I’d gotten paranoid about being followed, but seeing it brought up the feelings of that afternoon. Shaking my head, I finished buckling up and pulled out onto the street.
I turned the radio on and pulled the ponytail holder from my hair, shaking my waves free. My eyes flicked to the rearview.
The black SUV. It was behind me.
Not only that, it kept at a fair distance. The driver wasn’t riding my ass like most people do. With the distance it maintained, I couldn’t clearly see through the front windshield.
My breathing quickened. I looked back at the road in front of me and reminded myself to stay calm.
Why would anyone be following me?
I thought about it for another minute. Okay, maybe I was just being paranoid. Maybe I had too much free time, not enough outlets. Maybe my time in the service hit me harder than I thought it had.
My gut twisted as I considered that last option. I hadn’t seen anything in Afghanistan that I would call particularly gruesome, but I’d heard enough stories. I’d seen enough despair. And one well-timed explosion was enough to shake you for the rest of your days.
But I wasn’t going crazy. No. I couldn’t be going crazy.
I took two turns, going in the opposite direction of my apartment. A minivan pulled in front of the SUV, but still the black car haunted me, following me around every curve.
After two more turns, it couldn’t be denied anymore. I was being followed.
My fingers wrapped around the steering wheel. If it was alive, it would have died from lack of oxygen. I was suddenly furious. All I wanted to do was pull over and confront the driver of the car, scream in their face and demand to know what they wanted from me.
But I was smarter than that. I didn’t know who was in that car, and I didn’t know what they were armed with. A lot of my buddies from the army packed, but I’d never even thought about carrying a gun on me or keeping one in my home. That was a part of the life I’d already moved on from.
For the first time, I wondered if maybe I’d made the wrong decision there. The pepper spray and my hand-to-hand combat training only went so far.
The only thing I knew for sure was that I had to keep it cool. I couldn’t let them find out anything else about me other than whatever it was they’d already gleaned. It was likely that they already knew where I lived since they probably hadn’t found me by chance while I was out. Still, I needed to be extra safe.
I took a few quick turns in traffic, trying to lose the SUV. After driving around aimlessly for fifteen more minutes without any sightings of the suspicious vehicle, I deemed it safe to go home.
I parked in the garage, making sure to put my car as close to the elevator as possible. The whole way to my apartment, I was on pins and needles, tensing at every sound coming behind the closed doors.
Once inside, I locked both the deadbolt and chain and then did a quick check to make sure the windows were secure. Only then did I allow myself I a deep breath.
I could call the police. That was the first option. But I didn’t have a license plate number, so really, what information could I provide other than the make of the vehicle?
I sat on the edge of the couch and considered my options. If I saw the SUV again, maybe I could make some kind of turnaround or emergency stop that would let me get its license plate. I couldn’t even really imagine how I might execute something like that, but it was better than nothing.
Maybe Seth could offer some advice.
Yeah, get a gun, he’d say. And don’t do anything rash.
I was at least going to follow that last part.
I wiped my sweating palms against my shorts and stood up. First, I needed to shower. After that, I needed to get to Cristiano’s. I could figure more out on the way.
I made the shower as quick as I could, keeping one ear cocked the whole time. I half expected someone to break my front door down and barge in with the intent to kill me.
But why?
Jumping out of the shower, I dressed quickly, skipping makeup and not taking my usual time picking out an outfit. The crop top, skinny jeans, and damp hair had to do. At least I wasn’t going anywhere but the grocery store and Cristiano’s.
I clutched my keys tightly in my hand as I exited the elevator and got in my car. Locking the doors behind me, I floored it and headed for the street. Evening rush hour was just starting to die, and there was no sign of my stalker.
Not yet anyway.
At Whole Foods I picked out some perogies and veggies, not really sure what kind of meal I was throwing together but also not having the mental energy to plan properly.
One block from the store and I saw it. It followed at a more careful distance now, always two or three cars behind. Whenever a fourth vehicle tried to nudge its way in, the black SUV got aggressive, blocking the other driver and making sure no more space got between me and them.
Halfway to Cristiano’s house, I knew I had to do something. Screw acting rationally. I was pissed. Royally pissed.
The light ahead of me turned red. We were at a busy intersection, one that I knew well. It was one of the longest lights in the city. This was my chance. It was now or never.
Not letting myself think too much about it, I unbuckled my seatbelt and threw myself from the car. With long strides, I marched towards the SUV. Surely whoever was in there wouldn’t do anything crazy like hurt me or kidnap me in the middle of such a busy street.
Right?
A couple of people honked at me, telling me to get back in the car so I wouldn’t slow down traffic. I didn’t listen. I was a woman on a mission.
One car away, and I could see through the dark windshield. Behind the steering wheel sat a big bald man wearing large sunglasses. He sat up straighter as I stalked towards him.
Without any warning, the SUV moved backwards, its wheels riding up on the curb. A second later, and it zoomed forward, cutting a sharp right and driving on t
he sidewalk.
Cars honked. The few people on the street yelled. The corner was only ten yards back, and the SUV flew into the street, whipping around cars and making the rest of the traffic skid to a halt. Sheer mayhem erupted. It seemed everyone was honking. It happened so fast, I didn’t even think about getting the license plate number.
For a second, I gawked. And then I turned and ran, getting back into my seat just as the light turned green.
The rest of the way to Cristiano’s, my hands shook. I pressed them tightly against the wheel in an attempt to still them, but it did no good.
I didn’t know what was happening. I didn’t know who was following me, or why. But I knew one thing for sure: shit had just gotten real.
***
Cristiano’s door was unlocked, just like it always was. I found him in the kitchen, leaning over the counter and talking on the phone. His red tie swept the marble counter top, and his hair was parted more to the side than usual. If I wasn’t so freaked out, I would have probably started salivating at the sight of him.
“That’s good news,” he said into the phone, glancing at me and winking. “Yes… I’m leaving tomorrow morning… Keep an eye on this Niall Lambert. He’s getting on my nerves. Make sure he doesn’t interfere in my plans any more than he already has. I’ll call once there.”
He hung the phone up and slid it into his pocket. He started to say something, but I interrupted him.
“You should really lock your front door.”
He looked at me in confusion.
I stood stock still in the doorway, my grocery bag dangling from one hand and my purse from the other. “You should really lock your front door,” I repeated.
“There’s security all over this building,” he explained. “You need a code to get up to this floor. And don’t worry… I only leave it unlocked when I know you’re coming over.”
I swallowed hard. “Someone’s following me.”
Cristiano took a step toward me. “What?”
“There’s this SUV. It’s been following me around the city.”
“Hold on.” He came forward and took the bag and purse from me, then set them on the countertop. “Have a seat.”
I sat down on one of the stools. He hovered near me, gazing down at my face. His presence comforted me, and I took the first really good breath I had in two hours.
“Tell me again what’s been happening.”
“I saw a car following me. Today. And the other day. Last week.”
“What kind of car?”
“This black SUV.”
His head fell to the side, but his eyes remained on me. “You’re sure they’re not different cars?”
“I’m sure,” I emphatically said.
His lips got tight.
“Plus,” I added. “Something crazy just happened. I was at a stoplight, and I got out of my car to confront the driver—”
“What?” he interrupted. “You shouldn’t have done that. That’s dangerous.”
I ignored him. I knew it was dangerous, after all, but I didn’t really appreciate him telling me so. I’d seen more dangerous situations in four years than he’d probably seen in his whole life.
“I know that, but that’s not the point of the story.”
He crossed his arms, clearly annoyed. “What’s the point?”
“When I got close to the car, it turned around.” I gestured crazily with my hands. “It — it went up on the sidewalk and turned around, then disappeared around the corner.” I shook my head and stared at the refrigerator. “Someone’s following me, Cristiano. It just doesn’t make sense. There’s no one…”
Suddenly it did make sense. There was no one who might have me followed but the person standing right in front of me.
Cristiano staring at my apartment building from the seat of his sports car came back to mind. The level of concern he had for my home’s security was extremely unusual. Was it really that crazy to think he might have me followed? That he might have hired a bodyguard to protect me?
It was crazy, yes. But crazy things happen.
I gasped and looked back at him. “Are you having me followed?”
His eyebrows went up. “What? No. Blaire, that’s insane. Why would you ask that?”
“Because this all started when I started seeing you. And who else would do it? You were freaking out the other day about my apartment not being secure enough.”
His arms folded tightly in front of his chest. “I’m not having you followed. You’re being paranoid.”
The word paranoid hit a nerve.
“Then what’s going on?” I practically yelled. “Who’s doing this?”
“Blaire,” he sternly said, placing his hands on my shoulders. “I am not having you followed.”
I looked into his eyes, at the honesty present there. And though the world at the moment was as confusing as it had ever been, I knew I could still trust my gut instinct. Cristiano wasn’t lying to me.
“I’m sorry,” I sighed. “It’s just… it’s the only answer I can think of.”
“I understand.” He lowered his arms and wrapped them around my back to pull me close. My face pressed against his broad chest, and I let my eyes close. There, safe in Cristiano’s arms, with his scent enveloping me, it was easy to believe everything was all right.
But I knew it really wasn’t. Once I left the safe enclave of his arms, the world would still be there. That SUV would be there. Whoever was following me would likely be back.
“Stay here for a while,” Cristiano said into the top of my hair.
The offer made my muscles relax even further. The building probably had the best security of any home in Chicago. I would undoubtedly be safer there than at my own place.
But was it right? Me staying there would kind of be like us living together. And though my feelings for Cristiano were record breaking strong, we’d still only just begun dating. I didn’t want too much time together to kill our budding relationship.
But I also didn’t want to get kidnapped.
But why would anyone want to kidnap me?
I shut my eyes tighter. Maybe they didn’t want to kidnap me. Maybe they just wanted to know what I was doing.
Nausea bubbled in my stomach, popping up into my chest. None of this made sense. I almost wished Cristiano had been the one having me followed. At least then I’d have an answer, and I’d know I wasn’t in danger.
“I don’t know,” I said after realizing I hadn’t yet responded to Cristiano’s offer.
“You can stay in one of the guest rooms if you like. So you can have your own space. And I’ll be traveling a lot the next month anyway. We won’t be in each other’s hair.”
I gave it some thought. “I guess…”
“It would make me feel a lot better.”
I nodded against his chest then pulled back to look at him. “All right. I will. Thank you.”
He smiled slightly and ran his hand along the side of my cheek. “After dinner, we can go to your place together to get whatever you need.”
“Okay,” I agreed. “Sounds good.”
He took my hands in his. “You’re pale.”
I swallowed hard. “I’m sorry. It just… it drives me crazy… not knowing what’s going on.”
His jaw tightened. “I know. If you see that black car again, call me right away.”
I nodded. “All right.”
“How about some dinner? You don’t have to cook if you don’t want to.”
“No, it’s all right.” I stood up from the stool. “I have something special planned,” I lied.
I got to work, the busy activity helping me calm down a little bit. Cristiano put the news on the radio, and we listened, then small talked. He told me about his day at work, but I only nodded and pretended to listen. I couldn’t get the strange bald man out of my mind. Just the fact that he’d turned the car around and driven it on the sidewalk in an attempt to get away from me was crazy. Even if I hadn’t believed Cristiano when he told
me he wasn’t having me followed, the driver’s daredevil getaway would have been a big enough clue to tell me Cristiano wasn’t involved.
No, this wasn’t the work of some overly concerned or jealous lover. A man who high-tailed it the way that driver had didn’t have something as light to hide as a part time job tailing a young and boring vet. He had real shit behind his motives. Real, dangerous things to hide.
I shivered as I pulled a knife from its wooden holder. Even if I didn’t see the man or the SUV again, the whole thing was far from over.
Somehow I pulled dinner together, making the hodgepodge ingredients resemble at least a pathetic attempt at a meal. Over the food, I did my best to keep up with the conversation and match Cristiano’s cheery attitude. Apparently, I wasn’t doing a very good job though. When I stood up to take the empty plates to the dishwasher, he took them from me and set them back down on the table.
A soft finger hooked under my chin. “I don’t have to go,” Cristiano softly said.
“No.” I shook my head. “Don’t put work aside for me.”
“I can postpone the meetings. They’re not that important anyway. Not as important as you.”
My throat burned, and tears swam in my eyes. Never before had someone said something like that to me. I knew from our first night together that I had it bad for Cristiano, but for the most part, I’d been left wondering whether his feelings for me went to the same degree. Now I felt certain they did.
“Evie will probably come stay if I ask her to.”
He hesitated a second but then nodded. “I’ll inform the building’s security team about what’s going on. I know I probably don’t have to tell you, but be careful where you go.”
“I know. Stay in public areas. No parking garages. No alleys.”
His hand slid along the side of my jaw to the spot below my ear. He cupped the base of my head, his fingers stroking a calming pattern there. A long sigh escaped my lips, and I closed my eyes. With his touch on me, everything else in the world invariably melted away. My worries didn’t matter and finding the answers to all of life’s great mysteries became pointless.
My eyes still closed, I lifted my chin and moved my face towards Cristiano. His lips met mine with a combined tenderness and strength, giving me just what I needed. Power and grace. He was the perfect combination of the two, and being with him meant that I, by extension, became the same.
