I pay the cashier for my purchases, load my car up, and head home. By the time I get to my apartment, it’s a little after six. I juggle my bags in my arms to retrieve my key and swipe it on the elevator pad before putting in my floor number. Pushing my door open, an unfamiliar scent greets me. I crinkle my nose and head toward the kitchen, trying to place the smell. After setting my bags on the counter, I glance around my apartment, getting the distinct feeling someone was here, but that’s impossible. Maintenance calls before doing any work, no one can get in the building without living here, and no one besides Chase has the elevator key.
As I walk further into the apartment, the scent becomes stronger. It’s right on the tip of my tongue, and then it hits me: Evan’s cologne. It smells just like the cologne I used to buy him for Christmas every year.
I start to walk around, not understanding why my apartment smells like Evan. There’s nothing missing that I can see, but I notice things are not where they belong. Subtle things. Pictures slightly moved, pillows on the couch askew. My heart rate increases as a chill runs down my back. Something’s not right and I’m not comfortable being here alone. Before I jump to conclusions, I call Chase to make sure he wasn’t in the apartment today. He answers on the second ring.
“Hey, beautiful. How’s my girl?”
“Have you been over here at all today?” I ask, tense.
“No, why? What’s wrong?” he asks, sensing my panic.
“Maybe it’s nothing, but I feel like someone was here.”
“What makes you say that?”
“There are things out of place. Little things, and there is a lingering scent of cologne.”
“I’ll be right over,” Chase says before hanging up. I wander around the apartment, my body on high alert as I make sure nothing is missing.
A few minutes later, the door to my apartment slams, startling me. I jump, nearly bursting out of my skin, and turn back down the hallway before entering my bedroom. Walking back into the living room, I find Chase standing in the entrance, sniffing the air.
“What is that?” he asks, scrunching his face.
“It’s the cologne I used to buy Evan,” I whisper.
“Wait, what?”
“He couldn’t get in here, could he?” I whisper, starting to shake uncontrollably.
“No, don’t be ridiculous,” Chase says, trying to calm me. Walking toward me, he pulls me in his arms. “No one can get in here. He would have never made it past the doorman.”
“You’re right. Paul wouldn’t have let him up here. And even if he did, he doesn’t have the key, but who else could’ve been here?”
Stroking my back, he murmurs, “I don’t know, but I’m going to find out.” Placing his finger under my chin, he lifts my head so I’m looking at him. “Why don’t you stay at my place tonight?”
He’s trying to stay calm, but I can see the stress lines around his eyes. I nod my head in agreement, even though I’m sure it wasn’t a suggestion.
“Let me throw a few things in a bag,” I say as I walk into my bedroom. Stopping dead in my tracks, my hand moves to cover my mouth as I shriek out. My underwear drawer is wide open and my panties and bras are strewn all over the bedroom.
“Liv, what hap—?” Chase comes running into the room, his question cut off when he looks around. “What the fuck?” he roars. Chase composes himself and pushes me out of the room. “C’mon. Let’s get you out of here. I’ll come back to pick up a few things later,” he says, his voice eerily calm.
“No, it’s okay. Let me pack up a few personal things, in case whoever it is decides to come back.”
“No one will be coming back.”
“I need to report this, I need to call down to the front desk,” I mutter, my mind reeling.
“Fine,” he concedes, “we’ll do it on the way out. I don’t want you here any longer than you have to be.” I pack some sentimental items, things my father gave me, along with some clothes, and exit the apartment.
Once downstairs, and after speaking with the management, Chase ushers me out of the building. I don’t remember the walk or getting up to his apartment. All I can think about is someone violated my personal space. What else is missing—what other personal, intimate things? Sitting me down on the couch, he kneels next to me so we are eye level. “Baby, stay here for a minute. I need to make a phone call.”
“Okay,” I mutter.
Pulling his phone from his pocket, he hits a few buttons.
“Derek, Chase. I have a job for you,” he commands. “I need you to do a security check on all the employees of The Exchange.”Taking a deep breath, he runs his fingers through his hair. “I don’t care,” he shouts into the phone. He listens for a minute. “Whatever it takes, get it done,” he snaps and hangs up.
Chase dials another number. “Dad, hey. I need a favor. Can you get Mitch to find out which key card accessed Olivia’s elevator for her apartment earlier today?” His voice is softer now while talking to his father. “No, she’s fine. Someone was in her apartment, though, and I need to know who.” He turns to look over at me and smiles. “Thanks, Dad. Call me as soon as you hear something.”
Chase hangs up the phone and makes his way back to the couch. Sitting down next to me, I crawl into his lap, place my head on his chest, and wrap my arms around his neck, refusing to let go. “Are you hungry?” he murmurs in my ear. I shake my head no in a slight jerk.
“I won’t let anything happen to you,” he whispers. “Ever.”
“Just hold me,” I say, choking back tears. The reality of what’s going on hits me. What if I was home when whoever was in my apartment showed up? What if it was Evan? The thought makes me shiver.
“Cold, baby?” he asks. I shake my head into his chest.
I don’t want to believe that it could be Evan. The look in his eye when I told him it was over . . . He’s done some stupid shit when we were kids, I just hope he would never do anything crazy to me, or Chase.
“Okay, whatever you need,” Chase says, stroking my hair.
“I just want to go to bed and let this nightmare day be over,” I sob.
Chase picks me up and carries me to his bedroom. Placing me on the bed, he pulls the covers over me. “I’ll be right back, beautiful.”
“No, please. Lie down with me?” Without a word, he crawls into bed behind me, pulls me to his chest, and holds me tight.
I wake to an empty bed. “What do you mean you don’t fucking know!” Who is he screaming at? What time is it? The alarm clock shows it’s one forty-five in the morning.
I get out of bed and follow the sound of Chase’s voice. “I don’t want any fucking excuses. I want answers! I pay you to give me answers!” I peek around the corner and see Chase pacing the kitchen floor, his eyes closed, his fingers pinching the bridge of his nose, trying to reign in his anger. “I don’t care the cost, just get me answers!” He slams the phone down on the counter.
“Chase?” I whisper as I tip toe toward him. He spins around at the sound of my voice, his expression softening when he sees me. He looks so tired.
“Baby, what are you doing out of bed?”
“I woke up and you weren’t there. I heard you yelling.”
He makes his way across the kitchen, pulling me into his arms. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to wake you,” he breathes, kissing the top of my head.
“Who was that?” I ask.
“Never mind that now. We’ll talk in the morning. Let’s get you back to bed.” He pushes me back to his bedroom, like a father would a child, stalling for extra time.
Listening to his conversation brings the events of the day crashing back. I try to push them aside, but one thought keeps coming back to me. I start to voice my fears, my words barely audible. “What if I was in my apartment? What if—” He places his finger over my lips to stop me from finishing my thought.
“Nothing’s going to happen to you,” he reassures me, a trace of sadness in his eyes. “Come to bed,” he commands, pulling a t-shirt from one of his d
rawers and motioning for me to put it on. I had fallen asleep fully clothed, wanting to crawl into bed and forget any of this ever happened. Chase gets in bed, patting the spot next to him. Once under the covers, Chase pulls me close once again, and whispers, “Sleep, my beautiful angel.”
I wake up to the sun beaming on my face. Turning over, my hand rests on the space where Chase should be. I squint to read the alarm clock and jump out of bed. “Shit, shit, shit! I am so late for work,” I mumble to myself, searching for the clothes I packed. Racing into the living room, I find Chase sitting on the couch. He isn’t dressed for work either. “Chase, I’ve gotta go, I’m late for work!”
“Good morning, beautiful,” he replies, but the spark is gone from his eyes. Something must have happened.
Work forgotten, I sit down next to him and ask, “What’s wrong?”
“My father called this morning.” Chase pulls me onto his lap. “Someone stole a key card from the maintenance office. They checked the video, but whoever it was had on a hoodie and was aware of the surveillance cameras. They avoided being seen on every one. I want you staying here until I find out who it is.”
“Okay, but I only grabbed enough clothes for a couple of days.”
“I’ll have more brought over. I don’t want you going back until whoever it was is caught.” He kisses the top of my head. “Hopefully this will all be resolved by the time we get back from Italy.”
“Italy?” I squeak.
“Yes. Remember, I need to go check on the property? We talked about it.” Yes, we did, but that was before I ran off with Evan, and I never actually said yes. Shit, I can’t leave now. I just got back.
“Chase, I can’t go with you. As much as I want to, the timing is all wrong.”
“What do you mean? Of course you can,” he insists.
“I want to, but I’ve taken too much time off already what with being in Key West, and then the trip to Turks and Caicos. I don’t want to ask for more time, it isn’t fair.” He runs his fingers through his hair, obviously irritated.
“I’m going to be gone at least two weeks—”
“And I will be here, waiting,” I say, cutting him off.
“Having you with me will make me feel better,” he complains.
“Chase, I can’t.” He closes his eyes and takes a deep breath.
“I’m tentatively leaving in three weeks.” Thinking for a minute, he continues. “I can reschedule for a more convenient time. My dad will understand.”
“No, it’s okay. I’ll be fine.”
“I won’t be able to concentrate with you here.”
“Chase, I’m a big girl. I can handle myself. Besides, think about all the great I’ve-missed-you sex we’ll have.” As much as he tries to fight it, his lips twitch into a smile.
“That is true,” he says, kissing the top of my head. “I have other news,” he adds. “I had someone go over to your apartment this morning. Whoever was there, left no trace of evidence. No fingerprints, no hair, nothing.”
“So, how are we going to find out who it was?”
“I’m working on it, but I have my theories.”
“Chase, I know I said it smelled like Evan’s cologne, but it’s a popular cologne, it could have been anyone.”
“Yeah, well, I don’t believe in coincidences.” Running his hand through his hair, he continues. “I went over to your building while you were sleeping and spoke with the building manager. He gave me the phone number for the company that owns the building. After speaking to their lawyers, the CEO decided to change the key cards for the entire building. They also agreed to install a few less conspicuous cameras by the elevators and back doors immediately.”
“Thank you for doing all of this.” I look up at him, trying to gauge his mood. He doesn’t look happy, but the stress around his eyes has lessened.
“With that being completed by the end of the week, I think it’s safe enough for you to go back to your apartment on Monday. Although, I would feel much better if you stayed here.”
“Chase, I need to go home.”
“I know.” He pulls me into an embrace and holds me close.
I go in to work late, explaining what happened to Jake. I’m blessed to have such an understanding boss, who sends me home after lunch. An hour drive later, I’m back in Chase’s apartment, and he’s sitting on the couch, right where I left him. Looking up at me, I catch a glimpse of his face before he places it in his hands. His eyes are a dull blue, his shoulders slumped.
“Why won’t you go with me?” he murmurs into his palms. Thinking this conversation was closed, I’m surprised he’s decided to bring it up again.
“Chase, I would love nothing more than to fly halfway around the world with you, but I have obligations here that I don’t take lightly.”
With a new resolve, he looks up. “You don’t have to work, you know.”
“Yes, I do.”
“I want to take care of you.” I run my hand through my hair, growing more annoyed with this conversation by the minute. He really doesn’t have a clue.
“What if, one day, you decide I’m not the right woman for you?”
“Oh, baby. That will never happen.”
“It could. I will not be a trophy girlfriend. I’m not one of those rich girls who can afford to sit at home all day lounging by the pool, or shopping till they drop. Don’t treat me like one.” My voice is raised, trying to get my point across.
“I would never treat you like that.”
“Then don’t ask me not to work. I love my job and won’t lose it because you want me to come with you while you do yours.”
He stares at me, a blank look on his face. His jaw ticks. “Fine. I’ll cancel my trip.”
“You will do no such thing!”
“Then come with me.” Ugh. This conversation is going around in circles, making me dizzy. Closing my eyes, I pinch the bridge of my nose and take a deep breath. Looking up at Chase, I see a myriad of emotions crossing his face. Most prominent is concern. He’s still worried about the mystery person in my apartment. He told me everything was taken care of, that I was safe. Why does he look so nervous?
“Is there something you’re not telling me?”
The look on his face says it all. He’s hiding something. “Look, I didn’t want to freak you out.” His voice is low and calm, like he’s talking to a wounded animal.
“Tell me, Chase.”
He runs both hands through his hair. “Well . . . although facial recognition didn’t work, there were other ways to identify who was in your apartment.”
“Go on,” I coax. We are standing in front of each other, so close, I can feel the tension coming off him in waves, but far enough that I can’t touch him.
“It definitely wasn’t a woman.”
“I kind of figured that. What else?”
“He was tall, between six-foot and six-foot-three.”
“Okay.”
“A witness said they saw an unfamiliar white male, tall, sandy blonde hair with a maintenance uniform on.”
“That could be a lot of people Chase, get to the point.”
“They said he had a tattoo.” Chase watches me carefully, gauging my reaction. “It was a Celtic cross with your name through it.”
“So, there are a lot of people named Olivia.”
“My firm has a private investigator on retainer. I had him do some digging.” Stopping to compose himself, he murmurs softly, “Evan has that exact tattoo.”
Okay, now I think he’s lost it. “Evan doesn’t have any tattoos,” I say, essentially dismissing him. Evan would never do something like this. Would he?
Chase stands firm. “He had it done recently. That’s how I was able to find out it was him.”
“No, that’s impossible. Evan wouldn’t do that. No way.”
“Olivia, they are ninety-nine percent sure it was him. The problem is there isn’t any proof of him being in the apartment.” I shake my head, refusing to believe my ex got in to my apartme
nt.
I never told him where I lived.
I never told him. Oh, God. I can feel the blood drain from my face and Chase looks at me with obvious concern. Holding up my hand, I signal for him to wait and pick up my phone. There’s only one person who could’ve told him.
“Hi, mom,” I say, my voice full of fake cheer. “Quick question. Did you ever mention to Evan or Rachael where I lived?”
“Um . . .” There’s silence and I imagine her looking up at the ceiling as she thinks. “Yes, after your housewarming, I spoke with Rachael. Told her all about your new place. Why?” A wave of nausea hits me. I stare down at the floor, trying to keep my lunch from coming up. Looking up at Chase, I finish the conversation.
“Nothing, just wondering. Mom, I’ve gotta go. I’ll call you later.”
“Okay, sweetie.” I hang up and drop my phone, suddenly feeling faint. What reason would Evan have to go into my apartment and steal my underwear?
“My . . . mom . . .” I stutter, “he knows where I live.” I’m horrified. I don’t know what’s worse—having a stranger invade your privacy or someone you thought you once loved. Chase pulls me into his arms, holding me tight. “I don’t want to fight with you,” I mumble into his chest.
“Do you see why I want you to go with me?” Even though I’m totally freaked out, I put on a brave face for Chase.
“Yes, I do. But I’m still not going. If it makes you happy, I’ll stay at your place while you’re gone. No one knows where you live. I never mentioned it, not even to Brenda. We need to compromise, remember?”
Chase squeezes me harder and after a few minutes, he says. “Okay. I’m not entirely happy, but I know you’ll be safe here.” He kisses the top of my head, ending the conversation.
I haven’t been in my apartment in days. Using my new key card, I walk in to the scent of Stargazer lilies, my favorite flower. Sitting on the kitchen island is a vase filled with them. The apartment has been scrubbed clean, from top to bottom while I was staying with Chase.
Standing in the living room, I feel strangely detached from my surroundings. I’m still slightly freaked out by what happened, but Chase promises I’m safe.
Lost Without You: Book 2 in the Chasing Olivia Series Page 14
