Look in the glove compartment.
X
Nervous about what he’d done this time, I tossed the note on the passenger seat and slowly opened the glove compartment.
“Ah!” Mom and I shrieked at the grotesque sight of a bloody dead rat and burnt roses.
Bile burned my throat. I covered my mouth and tried not to gag.
“My god! Bristol…don’t,” Mom advised as I reached for the note beneath the roses.
Mom backed away from the car, coughing. My fingers trembled as I unfolded the paper. There were drops of blood on it. I clamped my mouth shut, holding my breath as I read.
I’m starting to get upset, Bristol.
You seem to think this is a game.
Why won’t you return to our home?
I hope you’re willing to lose someone if you continue being stubborn.
X
I dropped the note on top of the other one and wiped my hands on my jeans. Mom came back to the window.
She touched my arm, whimpering. “What did it say? Honey, you should stay here. This scares me.”
“I can’t stay here. I’ll put you in danger.” Looking at her, I said, “I’m going to clean this up. I’ll call you later.”
Mom tightened her grip on my arm, her lips quivering. She was terrified. “But Bristol—”
“Everything’s going to be okay, Mom,” I assured her. “I promise.” She released me and stepped away from the car. I backed down the driveway before she could protest.
It was a lie. Nothing would be the same again. Not until this guy got what he wanted.
Me.
I’d reached my limit. After getting my car cleaned, I called Amber and she agreed to drive us to a club downtown that night. I told Mason that I was staying with my friends and he didn’t need to stop by the condo.
I didn’t tell him or my dad about the dead rat and burnt roses, not to mention my stalker’s threat. They’d probably never let me leave the condo again, especially if they knew where we ended up after leaving Amber’s house.
Studio 3 was chock-full from wall to wall. Amber and I found a spot at the retro-style bar with glowing neon lights hanging over the counter. A few men winked and nodded our way.
I noticed one guy in particular with glossy black hair and a dimpled grin checking out Amber. He gave her curve-hugging mini dress the once-over and licked his lips in approval.
She flashed him a flirty smile after we got our martinis and sat on the metallic bar stools. I fixed the hem of my black knee-length dress so it didn’t ride up as I crossed one leg over the other.
“Are you sure you’re okay?” Amber yelled over the loud dance music. “I mean, after what happened last ni—”
“I’m fine,” I told her. “The woozy feeling’s long gone. Look, Amber, I need this. I’m sick of letting this guy disrupt my life. I’m so stressed about everything. I just need to unwind. Badly.”
There was still a look of uncertainty on her face. “Fine. But why didn’t we bring Jules?”
I rolled my eyes. “You know she’s going to say I shouldn’t be out, just like Mason.” I chugged half of my martini.
Amber raised her brows. “Slow down, girl. You’ll get me in trouble with your dad.”
I waved her off. “I’m a big girl. I can handle myself.”
Doubtful, she sighed and flipped her raven hair off her shoulders then sipped her drink, leaving red lipstick stain on the glass.
We finished our martinis and then headed through the crowd over to the misty and dark dance floor. It was like a sweat fest out there. My head spun a bit as I grooved to the music. I could already feel the alcohol hitting my system; it felt good to not think about anything and just relax.
I wasn’t sure how long we’d been dancing, but we were both starting to feel suffocated in the thick mass and needed to cool down.
Leaving the dance floor, Amber and I sauntered back to the bar and ordered another round of martinis. The cute guy from before came over and started talking to her. She introduced us, but I couldn’t remember his name because I was buzzed.
I let them chat while I finished my martini. As the night progressed, I began ordering shots. The alcohol took everything away. My whole body felt light, as if I was floating in midair, and I just wanted to dance and dance all night long.
Leaning over to Amber, I jerked her arm to draw her attention. “Hey, I’m going back out there,” I slurred, loudly.
“Geez, Bristol.” She frowned. “I turn away for a sec and look at you.”
“Oh I’m fine.” I giggled for no reason and started to walk away.
Amber gripped my elbow. “Wait, I’ll go with you.” She looked at the cute guy with the dimples and asked, “Coming?”
He placed his drink on the counter and followed us to the dance floor. He nuzzled up to Amber, wanting to dance closer to her, but she was too busy watching me. I motioned for her to turn around and have fun with him. Soon, she caved and did just that.
I swung my hips to the pop mix, buzzed and without a care. It was like being on cloud nine, higher than life. I wondered if it had anything to do with being drugged the night before and drinking too much now. The pounding of the stereos hit me from all corners until it reached my soul. I wasn’t even startled when someone came up behind me and wound his strong arms around my waist. He breathed on my neck and towed me into his arms, pushing even closer to my rear. Uneasy, I tried to pry his hands off and put space between us, but with the alcohol in me I didn’t have the strength.
The stranger moved along to the music, tightening his hold on me, never letting go. Not once. Exhausted, I closed my eyes and dropped my head back against his hard chest, letting him take control.
It’s harmless, I told my drunken self. This is a club, just have fun and let go.
A part of me wished it was Mason, that he was the one dancing close to me, sheltering me in his warm and protective arms. I started to imagine it was him, losing myself in a dark haze of lust.
But then he lowered his head at my neck, and cold lips grazed my ear as he whispered in a possessive and chilling voice, “My love, we’ll be together soon, and no one will get in the way. Not your family, not your friends, and definitely not your ex.”
My body stiffened. It’s him!
Panicked, I started to squirm in his tight hold. How could I have missed it? It was the same strong, leathery cologne from that night.
My stalker released me. I spun to look at him under the dim club lighting but only saw his dark figure hurrying off through the crowd. I didn’t bother to tell Amber, I just rushed after him, wanting to see his face.
I had to see his face.
He hurried to the exit and slipped outside. By the time I made it through the cluster, reached the metal door, and pushed it open, he was gone. I couldn’t find him anywhere. I looked up and down the sidewalk hysterically, uncertain of which way to turn.
It started to rain, large, frigid drops cooling my skin. The heavy downpour started to soak my hair and dress. I hugged myself while I remained in one spot, turning around and around. People looked at me as if I were crazy.
Maybe I was.
I’d been drinking too much. It could be I’d envisioned him on the dance floor; perhaps he’d never been there at all. My mind must have fabricated the whole thing. Fear could do that to people.
I swiveled in my heels too fast and almost fell. Amber caught my arm and helped me regain my balance. “Bristol, what the hell! You can’t just run off like that. Damn it. This was a mistake. We never should have come here.”
Riddled by exhaustion, I leaned in and flung my arms around her neck. The guy with the dimples was standing behind Amber, shielding his eyes from the rain. He gave me a confused look.
“I think he…he was…dancing with me,” I said in between breaths, my lips trembling from fear and the cold.
“What?” Amber eased me away. Then she peered around, unfazed by the fact that her dress and hair were getting drenched. Looking
back at me, she asked, “Are you sure?”
I didn’t answer, only turned my head slowly. Amber draped her arm around my shoulder and we started walking.
“Do you need help?” the guy asked. “I could drive you two home.”
“No thanks.” Amber waved him off. “It’s fine. We’ll make it.”
We headed across the street to where she’d parked her car. Burned out from drinking so much and from the terror that my stalker was causing me, I fell asleep in the passenger seat.
When I arrived at Dad’s condo, I was surprised to see Mason there. Dad observed our water-logged dresses with his mouth opened wide. He regarded me from head to toe, his mouth twitching in anger. I couldn’t look at Mason; I felt crappy for lying to him.
“What the hell were you two thinking?” Dad yelled. “Your mother told me what happened today, Bristol. Why didn’t you tell us?”
“You lied to me,” Mason chipped in, his voice even. “How could you be so careless?”
Amber tried to explain, “Mason, look, Bristol just wanted to—”
“To what?” he interrupted, upset. “Give him easy access? Pretend like it’s not serious? Give up…” He said the last part under his breath.
I glanced at him, regret filling my heart when I saw the look in his eyes.
“This isn’t a joke!” Mason stalked past me to the door. He stepped outside and closed it with a thud.
Dad sighed. “Mason is right. What you two did was careless.”
“I’m sorry,” I murmured, staring at the floor again. Amber rubbed my back.
“At least nothing happened to you,” Dad said in a lower tone.
“Actually,” Amber started. I bumped her arm to stop her. When she looked at me I squinted; she understood.
“What?” Dad pressed.
Staring at him, Amber said, “Uh, nothing. I’m going to take off. Don’t want to catch a cold.”
“Okay,” he nodded.
I mouthed “thank you” before she turned and ambled over to the door, slipping outside.
Dad moved around me and locked the door. I went to the bathroom, turning the tap on to fill up the tub. I didn’t want to mention what had happened at the club and worry my dad and Mason even more.
Then again, I wasn’t sure that anything had happened. I’d drank way too much and I wasn’t thinking straight. What if I’d become so afraid that I was starting to imagine things?
On Monday, the event coordinator had me running around for her. I checked off a list of potential venues for functions later in the summer, then I drove across town to meet with the manager of the restaurant hosting the fundraiser on Friday.
I got back to the office in time to have a quick lunch with Julian. We went to the Ocean View Bar and Grill nearby, and I collapsed in the chair the moment we got a table.
“You okay?” she asked, amused. “Looks like Gina’s working you hard.”
“Yeah.” I straightened and massaged my neck. “I haven’t transitioned into the new position yet, so she’s using me as much as she can.”
Julian shrugged. “Well, I’m sure she’s sad to lose you as her assistant.”
I scoffed. “Please, if it were up to Gina, I’d be an intern at Vanderson Publishing forever. But hey, at least it keeps my mind off everything else.”
“Humph.” She frowned. “Oh, before I forget.” I slurped my strawberry smoothie while Julian rummaged in her purse. “I have something for you,” she said, handing me a small black object.
“Pepper spray?” I confirmed, inspecting the container in the palm of my hand. My mind drifted to the other night. I was still unsure whether my stalker had really been at the club.
Julian’s voice pulled me back. “Why’d you do something so silly? You shouldn’t be out drinking, Bristol. This guy is still on the loose.”
Moping, I dropped the pepper spray in my purse. “I just wanted to have fun and not let him take that away too.”
Her eyes drooped with sadness as she spoke again. “It must be hard. No one should ever go through this.”
Tears blurred my vision. I lowered my head and tried to shove them back. “Why me? What did I do?”
Reaching over, Julian clasped my hands. “Hang in there, Bristol. You’re a strong girl.”
“Yeah right,” I chuckled, doubtful.
She squeezed my hands. “Bristol Armando, you are an impeccably strong person and I’m lucky to have you as a friend.”
Choked up, I enclosed her hands into mine and beamed at her. “It’s the other way around. I’m so grateful for you and Amber.”
We composed ourselves as the waitress brought out our meals. Afterward, Julian returned to the office, and I picked up where I’d left off on the list of tasks.
Leaving work in the evening, I headed to the center to help Kathy. Dad told me to go back to the condo but the thought of her packing boxes and handling shipments alone made me feel guilty.
We were working on the last batch of deliveries when she asked, “What’s on your mind, dear? You’ve been quiet since you’ve arrived. It’s not like you.”
I sighed and glanced over my shoulder. “It’s been so stressful these past few weeks.”
“Want to talk?” she asked, sealing a box. Kathy came over and sat beside me on the bench where I’d been working.
Taking a break from packing, I spun to face her. “There’s this guy that’s been scaring me. He keeps sending me things and is convinced that I should be with him.”
“Oh my, that’s awful.” Wrinkles appeared at the corners of her blue eyes as they constricted in horror. “Do you know him? Did you report it?”
“The police are involved, but I don’t know the guy,” I replied, glancing at the chipped marble tile beneath my feet.
Kathy rubbed my back, comforting me. “I’m so sorry, dear.”
I raised my shoulders in a shrug as I picked at my pants. She held my hands and gave them a gentle squeeze. “Don’t you worry, horrible people are always punished.”
Her words cheered me up a tad. “Thanks, Kathy.”
“No need to thank me, just try to stay strong. I’m sure the police will catch him soon.” A sympathetic smile reached her lips as she playfully slapped my hands and gestured for us to finish.
The center had closed by the time we sealed the final boxes. We ended up staying even later to complete the delivery forms.
Kathy secured the lock on the drop-off lift out back, and then we went around the building toward the front gates, using the overhanging floodlights on the roof to guide our steps.
The ashy evening sky had turned to dark, and with it came a frigid spring breeze. We approached the iron gates, and I began searching in my purse for my keys, only to realize that my cellphone wasn’t there.
Shit!
“I think I left my phone inside,” I told her, feeling crappy.
“I’ll go back with you,” she offered, taking out her keys.
I stopped her. “It’s okay. I’ll go to the main entrance and ask Mr. Porter to let me in that way. You head home. I know you’re tired.” And I felt like such an inconvenience when she had someone waiting.
Her face was partly hidden by the night, but I could still tell she was hesitant about leaving me.
“It’s okay,” I assured her.
“Um…” Kathy slanted and peered across the street. “You sure?” she asked, turning back. “I don’t mind making my fella wait a few more minutes.”
“No,” I giggled. “Go. I’ll be fine.”
She brushed my arm in a tender way. “Well, all right. See you next week then.”
“Okay. See you.”
Kathy spun and continued through the gates. The car started as she hurried across the street, taking off the instant she hopped in and shut the door.
I turned and strode back to the center, going up the concrete steps to the main entrance. I pressed the button at the glass doors. Mr. Porter, the security guard, stuck his head out from the reception counter and buzzed me
into the building.
“Miss Armando, did you forget something?” he asked as I stalked up to the counter.
“Yeah, I left my phone in the storage room. I’m just going to head back and grab it.”
He nodded. “Sure thing. Hurry. I’m locking down the building in fifteen minutes.”
“Okay.”
I hastened down the passage until reaching the connecting door that led to the pantry. That side of the building was pitch black. I could hardly see my shadow.
The storage room was at the end of the passage. When I reached the thick metal door, I fumbled for the switch and flicked on the light.
My cellphone was next to a pile of reports on a shelf. I’d taken it out to do calculations, but forgot to put it back in my purse.
I grabbed my phone, turned the light off in the room, and then made my way back.
Something was different, eerie.
As I stepped past the door that led to the drop-off area, it creaked, startling me. I slowed and looked sideways.
The door opened halfway. No one came out. The light was off in the room.
I thought maybe the overhead steel lift wasn’t properly closed, causing this door to open because of a draft.
Repressing the fear in my stomach, I made slow steps toward the room, deciding to check the lift.
It opened further.
I froze in my tracks, frightened, heart racing.
No. It wasn’t the breeze. Someone was inside the room. A lump grew in my throat. I backed away.
The door flung open, and a figure appeared in the dark doorway.
“Bristol…” whispered a deep and chilling voice—his voice.
“Ah!” I screamed, and then bolted.
Heavy, loud footsteps chased after me.
“Help!” I cried out, tears falling.
My heart pounded in my ears. Panic rushed through me. My shoes skidded on the tile. I almost fell before reaching the connecting door.
I pushed it open. Light gave me hope. “Help me!” I yelled.
Mr. Porter hurried into the passage, alarmed. I ran to him, nearly knocking him off his feet.
Chasing Bristol (The Finding Trilogy Book 2) Page 11
