Page 33
She seemed to think everyone in the world knew who she was, given that she had over a million followers on TikTok.
Doug didn’t want to burst her bubble—only because she was a paying client—and tell her that left about eight billion people in the world who didn’t know or follow her.
Neither Doug nor Spade had heard of her before looking up her social media accounts prior to the meeting at her home.
Her videos primarily focused on fashion, makeup, and local clubs and restaurants in and around Tampa.
He wouldn’t be surprised if she were one of those influencers who demanded free stuff to promote a brand.
“So,” Doug interrupted her bragging about how many views her latest video had gotten. “Tell us more about this guy who is allegedly stalking you.” He glanced at the first page in her folder that he’d brought with him. “His TikTok handle is @4evrLaineys, and he’s been messaging you?”
“Yes! And it’s not allegedly —he’s stalking me. And that’s not his only profile. He’s creepy A.F.”
Doug nearly snorted when she used the initials for “as fuck” in her dialogue.
God, she was three years older than Jenn, and yet he thought Jenn was far more mature than her.
In the past, he wouldn’t have hesitated at dating a twenty-six-year-old, only five years his junior.
But now, after talking with Ms. Hall for all of ten minutes, the age gap between him and Jenn seemed smaller than ever.
Removing a picture from the folder, he showed it to his new client. “Have you seen this guy before?”
She flipped her hair over one shoulder before leaning forward to study the photo. With her arms crossed under her breasts, it pushed them up and together. If she was trying to seduce either of them, it wasn’t working because both men averted their gazes.
“Damn, he’s hot!”
Gritting his teeth, Doug fought the urge to tell her off before walking out. “That wasn’t my question. Have you seen him before?”
“No, I definitely would’ve remembered him. So, that’s the guy who’s stalking me?”
“We believe so. His name is Evan Jenkins. Sound familiar?”
She shook her head. “Never heard of him. Why doesn’t he have photos of himself on his profiles?
If he wasn’t so creepy, I might’ve agreed to go out with him.
I keep blocking him on all my accounts, but he just makes more profiles with similar names.
Since you know who he is now, can’t you go threaten him or something and force him to stop contacting me? ”
As Spade bit his bottom lip to keep from either laughing or saying something rude, Doug took a deep, calming breath and released it.
“Um, that’s not how this works. We can pass on his information to the police and ask them to speak to him, but we don’t go around threatening people.
The police can’t force him to stop either, unless things escalate.
My guards will protect you while we gather evidence of the stalking, and when we have enough, we’ll file for an order of protection on your behalf.
Then, if he shows up anywhere you are, we can detain him and have him arrested. ”
“So, until something happens, you two will be my bodyguards wherever I go? Cool. At least you’re both seriously hot.” Before either man could stop her, she spun around on the couch and used her phone to take a selfie with them in the background.
Doug stood, snatched the phone from her hand, and quickly deleted the photo before she had a chance to post it anywhere.
“Hey! What did you do that for?”
“No photos of your guards. It defeats the purpose of them trying to blend in so they can catch this guy doing something he can be arrested for. We don’t want him to know who’s guarding you or that you’re even being guarded, so keep that information off social media.
Now, I won’t be on your detail, but Nolan will start today, then he’ll rotate in eight-hour shifts with two other guards.
I’ll need a detailed account of your agenda for the next few days, but I’d prefer it if you stayed home for the most part.
We need to know in advance whenever you’ll be leaving here, so we can plan accordingly to ensure your safety.
If need be, a second guard will be assigned if you’re going anywhere crowded. ”
She sighed dramatically. “I can’t stay home all the time.
I need to see my friends and go places to make videos and take pictures.
I have to post at least five times a day to keep all my followers and collaborators happy.
The more views and clicks I have, the more money I make with my sponsors and affiliates. ”
“I’m sure you can figure out some videos that can be made here, but if you do need to go out, it has to be scheduled with the guards first. And no announcing where you are or where you’re going on social media.”
“But—”
He held up a hand. “No buts, Ms. Hall. Posting about where you’re going will just invite this guy to show up.
We still don’t know what his plans are, but from his messages to you, he appears to be delusional enough to think he has a relationship with you.
People like that can escalate to violence if they think they’ve been rejected or if someone like a guard stands between them and you.
So, I repeat—no announcing where you are or where you’re going.
Take your pictures and record your videos, then wait until you’re home or somewhere else before posting them. Nothing live.”
“Fine. Whatever. This sucks.” She stood and stalked toward her kitchen, leaving the two men alone.
Spade, a retired Marine Doug had served with, leaned toward him and lowered his voice. “You fucking owe me for this one, Bullseye.”
“Yeah, I know. Your next detail will be an easy one.”
“It better be.”
Table of Contents
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- Page 33 (Reading here)
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