“The fact that you wanted to watch Never Been Kissed while the Sox were playing was almost a deal breaker.”
I laughed and shook my head, leaning over to kiss him and not even caring that we were holding up traffic.
Chapter 16
When my brother announced that he was going to buy a house boat the whole family thought he was insane, myself included. But Logan, who had a tendency to do what he wanted when he wanted, stuck to his decision and bought a house in Driftwood Cove, the only floating home community on the South Shore.
Driftwood Cove had a rather large community with floating homes stretching across rows and rows of docks that stretched towards the lighthouse. It was cozy and cute and very unlike Logan, who bought a tricked out home with beautiful hardwood floors and a galley kitchen that I knew for a fact he barely used. Logan was the kind of guy who burned pasta and called it a secret recipe.
He was opening the door before I even had the chance to knock. “You here to chew me out for what happened the other day?”
I shook my head and stepped forward, wrapping him in a hug. “Can we talk?”
Logan threw an arm around my shoulders and guided me into the house. “Sure thing, kid.”
It still amazed me how much the interior of the house didn’t look like a house boat at all. The main area was spacious with a large leather couch against one wall and a flat screen mounted against the other. There was no clutter and nothing hanging on the gray painted walls. If I was being honest I had a feeling Lo got pretty lonely, though he’d never admit it.
We sat down on the couch and Logan leaned his head back. His hair was a mess and he had dark circles under his eyes.
“Why do you look like you haven’t slept in a week? Molly still have you wrapped around her finger?”
He smiled. “Very funny. No, I’ve been seeing Sarah Hart.”
I gave him a sideways look and waited for him to elaborate. When he didn’t I cocked my head to the side. “Sarah Hart, as in, Molly Hart’s little sister?”
He responded with a sheepish look.
“Logan!”
“What? You’re not one to talk considering you’re so hard up you’re sleeping with Fitz again.”
I narrowed my eyes and tried to choose my words carefully. “I’m not a little kid anymore, Lo. I love the fact that I have such amazing, protective brothers. But at some point you need to take a step back and understand that I can make my own decisions and handle the consequences.”
Logan’s frustration was evident as he shook his head. “Listen, Abby, I’d never tell you what to do, but I don’t want to see you get hurt again. Do you remember how bad he hurt you?”
I ignored his question and responded with “I remember Robbie had to hide your keys so you wouldn’t go across town and kill him.”
“Yeah, I walked two miles before Robbie convinced me to go to The Pelican. Alex didn’t make me pay for a single drink that night.”
I thought back to the night Knox and I broke up. It was an ugly memory yet it frequented my mind more often than not. Memories of asking him to come to New York and him saying no, that there was nothing out there for him. I’d accused him of indirectly saying that I didn’t matter but that it shouldn’t matter where we were as long as we were together. I threw a glass coke bottle at his bedroom door and said I was leaving whether he went with me or not. Technically, at that point I had to go anyway because I’d already accepted the internship with Meryl Bellworth and her wedding planning company.
I remembered the hurt look on his face and him saying, “If you walk out that door we’re done.”
It was over. Just like that a five year relationship was over. We were both set in our ways and weren’t willing to compromise. But looking back on it now made me realize we never could have made it work back then. We were young and dumb and fought over stupid shit. The two of us alone in a big city would have been disastrous.
“We were kids,” I said now as I gave Lo a pleading look. “We aren’t the people we were then. Just give him a chance.”
“When you and Knox first got together-”
“I’m trying to leave the past in the past.”
“Shut up and listen,” he said, unfazed. “When you and Knox started going out, dad pulled me and Robbie into his office one day. We thought we were in trouble for sneaking a bottle of Jack from the bar. But, as it turns out, he wanted to talk about you.
“He said that with you getting older Robbie and I needed to step up and really watch out for you. Dad was always gone, you know? Business trips and vacations with mom, he was always so busy. But he told us that we needed to protect you. Not because he didn’t think you could handle yourself, but because you were the baby. You were his little girl and, in a way, you were ours, too.
“Ashfords might not always have the best way of sorting out our problems or dealing with our own shit, Abby. But if there’s one thing we can all agree on it’s keeping you safe and happy. Yes, maybe I went overboard that day at Robbie’s, I just don’t want to see you get hurt again.”
I stared at Logan for a minute. I couldn’t put my finger on the exact moment it happened, but somewhere along the way my brother turned into a man. A real man and not some little punk that was once taken home by the police on a Thursday afternoon for spray painting a penis on the school principal’s car.
“Just give him a chance. Please? Trust me.”
Logan eventually held up one finger and sighed. “One. He gets one chance and if he fucks up he’s getting fucked up.”
I threw myself at him. “I love you too much, Lo.”
“Probably.”
“Let’s go find Robbie and sort out our shit the Ashford way.”
I stood up in front of him, blocking his path. “Hold up a second. Lo, I don’t want to push you to talk about anything but… you don’t have a problem, do you? Like, a serious one? You know if you do I’ll help you in any way that I can.”
He laughed and put his hands on my shoulders. “You don’t have anything to worry about, Abby. Promise. When I’m ready to talk about it you’ll be the first person I come to.”
I wanted to push him, I really did. I wanted him to tell me what the hell was going on and why he disappeared for days at a time. But I trusted Logan. When he was ready to tell me what was going on, he would. I just needed to have faith in that.
One week later I had the invitations mailed, the venue booked and a smoking hot date. Robbie, Logan and I had planned the whole anniversary party with minimal arguments and only one small tiff with our father and were set to make it the bash of the summer. Even Caleb’s boss caught wind of it and demanded he do an article centering around the whole family.
Plus, I was getting rather good at the whole self defense thing. Even Greasy Haired Tom was impressed with me. I was working out every day and rarely at Robbie’s and it felt good to be so busy.
On my rare night alone I walked around the house bored out of my mind. I refused to spend my night watching Knox at the gym and Simone was working on some new pieces.
What was a girl to do?
I finally decided that the night was so beautiful I couldn’t not take a walk on the beach. I pulled on an old pair of cut off shorts and shrugged into Knox’s Fitzgerald Boxing hoodie and made my way down to the beach, enjoying a beer as I walked along the shore. The water was cool against my bare feet and the summer breeze wrapped around me like an old friend.
It had been so long since I felt this okay. I felt carefree and relaxed and it made me wonder why I ever left my small town in the first place. But, somewhere along the way, I decided that being home was exactly the right decision. So right, in fact, that I made the conscious decision to officially move home. I was going to tell everyone tomorrow at the dinner party Simone was hosting at her shop and I was so excited. I couldn’t wait to see the look on Knox’s face when I told him and I knew my brothers would be thrilled that they no longer had to take a road trip to visit their little sister. Simone would burst
into tears and bring out the champagne.
I couldn’t wait.
Draining my beer, I headed back to the house to pick out an outfit for tomorrow and give Simone a call. The attack and the stalker seemed like a lifetime ago, things were going so well and I could start a new life. I could leave all the bad and ugly in the past and get back to my roots.
I jogged up the steps onto the back porch and headed towards the door, humming under my breath. If it hadn’t been for the fact that I was looking down I would have stepped on the wrapped box and note on the welcome mat.
My heart nearly stopped and dread settled in the pit of my stomach. Telling myself to breathe, I looked around quickly, turning in circles to no avail. But there was no one there. I was completely alone. Bending down, I picked up the box with shaking fingers, my anxiety rising by the millisecond.
This is not happening, I thought. Just breathe, Abbigail. Breathe.
I couldn’t. Every time I tried to take a breath it got stuck in my throat. My chest was aching. I opened the note first and it read, “For you, my love” in the same neat, cursive print that was far too familiar. Even more familiar now, for whatever reason.
I shouldn’t have opened the box, I shouldn’t have even touched it. But I untied the silk ribbon and opened it anyway, trying to prepare myself for whatever was inside. Taking the top off, I let out a harsh breath that ended on a whimper, dropping the box to the deck and stepping back.
A dead, decapitated mouse lay on the inside of the box with dark, almost black blood staining the interior.
My stomach churned and bile quickly rose up my throat. I barely made it to the railing before heaving up everything in my system. Fear raced through me and ignited my veins and I was shaking so hard my teeth chattered.
Dread swamped me.
I wanted to scream.
He- whoever he was- was back.
Chapter 17
How did he find me?
Is it because of the article? But how would he have seen it?
What did I do?
How did this happen?
I beat my brain with questions I didn’t have answers to. I was at a complete loss, in shock and almost completely shut down. Sitting on the back steps with my head in my hands, completely clueless.
“Okay, Abbigail, I need you to work with me here. You said there was no one in sight when you got back to the house, correct?” Detective Kendrick asked with his hands on his hips.
I nodded my head. “There was no one around. I was alone.”
“And you-”
“Abbs! Where is she?” Knox’s voice boomed through the house. “Don’t fucking touch me, where is she? Abbigail!”
I turned and looked over my shoulder as a deputy tried to hold Knox back. His features were hard, mean. With a clenched jaw he looked around until his eyes landed on mine. His face softened and then Robbie stepped in, effectively blocking my view.
“Let him through. He’s her boyfriend.” His voice held no room for argument.
Seconds later I was enveloped in a tight embrace, my face buried in his chest while my hands clung to his back desperately. My brothers stood off to the side, deep in conversation with their arms crossed, my silent protectors.
“I got here as fast as I could,” he whispered as he rubbed a hand up and down my back.
“I don’t know how he found me,” my voice broke.
Knox pulled back and held my face between his hands. “Look at me. Nothing is going to happen to you.”
“He’s right,” Logan piped in and walked over. To my utter shock he clapped Knox on the shoulder and then jerked his thumb towards the house. “Let’s talk, Fitz.”
Knox kissed my forehead and disappeared into the house with my brothers in tow. I wiped my eyes and turned back to Detective Kendrick, clearing my throat before relaying the night’s events for what felt like the millionth time.
I was shaken up and scared, and all I wanted to do was pack a bag and bolt. If I was in danger, then what did that mean for the people I loved? I couldn’t put everyone at risk for my own safety.
But why was this happening again? Things were finally looking up and I was getting back to normal. I wasn’t constantly looking over my shoulder and I felt safe for the first time in months.
“Is there anyone you’ve seen recently? Have you reconnected with any old friends? I know you’re frustrated, Abbigail, but I need you to think.”
“I already told you,” I nearly growled, my frustration evident. “I haven’t seen any…”
Then it hit me.
“Caleb…”
Kendrick’s dark eyebrows rose. “Caleb who?”
“Caleb Bishop,” I responded softly, still trying to process it. There was no way in hell it could be Caleb, could it? No, he was too sweet, too shy to do something as bold as stalk me. He didn’t have it in him, there was no way. I would have felt it, would have known if there was something off about him.
“The journalist?”
“Yes, but… it can’t-”
Kendrick started barking orders at a deputy nearby. “I want Caleb Bishop brought in for questioning. Now.”
“I… no… wait,” I tried to speak but everyone was talking over me.
When I turned back towards the house I saw something that shocked me silent. Sitting at the kitchen table talking like civilized adults were Robbie, Logan, Knox… and my father. All looking attentive and concerned. That was a sight I never thought I’d see.
My mother appeared next to me, grabbing my face and squeezing so hard I thought my cheekbones would shatter. Her makeup was perfect and there wasn’t a hair out of place. “My baby, my Abby.”
I let her hug me, numbly wrapping my arms around her. But very quickly she was pulling back and adjusting her coat.
“Here,” she said when she pulled away, pushing a silver flask into my hand. “Have a little sip.”
Skeptically, I took a sip and gagged as I swallowed, the vodka burning my throat. “Jesus, mom!”
She waved a hand and rolled her eyes. “Hush and tell me what happened.”
I repeated the story for what I hoped was the last time that night. All of it felt surreal, like an out of body experience. The detachment I felt was numbing and exhaustion was quickly sinking into my bones.
At the sound of someone clearing their throat I nearly jumped out of my skin.
“Dr. Van Sant?” I asked, confused. “What are you doing here?”
“I called him,” my mom said as she tucked her flask back into her purse. “I’ll leave you two to talk, okay?” she squeezed my hand and, in a gesture that was very unlike Genevieve Ashford, she tucked my hair behind my ear and said, “You know I love you, right? You’re my baby, my only girl. I love you.”
Emotion slammed into me and clogged my throat. I stood there silently as she walked into the house, laying a hand on my father’s shoulder. It was small, fleeting, but still I saw the look in her eyes as she looked around the table.
“Abby? Would you care to tell me what happened?” Dr. Van Sant asked as he tucked his hands behind his back.
I shook my head and collapsed on the stairs, talked out. Resting my head in my hands, I let out a deep sigh, not expecting it to end on a sob. The dam broke and sobs wracked my body, tears falling freely down my cheeks. I was so overwhelmed with fear and love and confusion. Fear for whatever this psycho was and what he would do next. Love for my family, for Knox, for everyone who showed up to protect me tonight. Confusion for, well, everything else, what to do next and if Caleb was truly my stalker.
“I’m so scared,” I sniffled and scrubbed my hands over my face. My chest felt too tight and it was so hard to breathe. I was sweating, shaking. It was ugly. “I feel so weak.”
I felt rather than saw Dr. Van Sant sit down next to me. He placed a hand on my back as I continued to cry. “Breathe, Abby. It’s alright, just concentrate.”
I felt like I was choking, my breaths coming in short pants. I fought for breath and squeezed my
eyes shut, trying to find something to focus on. Simone. My parents. Knox. Robbie. Logan. I repeated the words again and again, chanting them in my head like a mantra until the ache in my chest dissipated. Every second of it was excruciating and I wondered how much more I could take before I reached my breaking point.
Curling up, I rested my chin on my knee and blinked at Dr. Van Sant a few times. “I’m sorry you had to come all the way out here.”
He flashed a megawatt smile, his hand still rubbing up and down my back, although I really wished he would stop and give me a moment to myself. “Nonsense. I’m here for whatever you need.”
The back door squeaked and I turned around. Knox was standing there with his hands in his pockets and his head cocked to the side. God, I love him. He stepped forward and gave a gentle smile but I could see his guard was up. He was as tense as the rest of us. “Ready to go?”
“Go?”
The question came from the man to my left who seemed to make Knox’s features go all hard and edgy again. “You are?”
He stood and stuck out a hand. “Dr. Henry Van Sant, Abbigail’s therapist.”
Knox gave a firm shake, his expression not changing. “Knox Fitzgerald. I’m Abby’s boyfriend.”
My inner teenage girl was having a virtual orgasm at the mention of the word “boyfriend”. You need to get your shit together, I scolded myself. So not only was I madly in love with him but now we were officially a couple. We had a label. What the hell was up with tonight?
“Is that right?”
“That’s right.”
I stood, exhaustion weighing me down. “Where are we going?”
“Me and the guys thought that maybe it would be a good idea if you stayed with me for a bit until they catch this fucker.”
Since when were my brothers “the guys”? Seriously, what the hell was up with tonight? But more than that, I was caught up in the idea of staying in Knox’s cozy little house for a bit. Sleeping in his bed with him? Sign. Me. The fuck. Up.
Keep Me Safe: A Small Town Suspenseful Love Story (Port James Book 1) Page 12
