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THE STALKER

M addie’s eyes are closed, her breathing deep and even as she sleeps. Her long lashes rest on her cheeks and her lips are still swollen from my kisses.

God, she’s a fucking vision. Even as I think those words, trepidation swirls through me. I’ve never had a woman in my bedroom, let alone my bed. This is my sacred space where my nightmares haunt the hell out of me, my past coming to life again anytime I close my eyes.

When my mom died, I experienced night terrors. I had no recollection of them and was blissfully unaware until I stayed overnight at Jason’s house. We thought it would be fun for the three of us—Jason, Abby, and me—to watch movies while curled up in sleeping bags. We hoped to stay up all night, but eventually, Abby fell asleep. Then Jason. Then finally me.

Next thing I know, Jason’s parents are standing there, concerned looks on their faces. I had no recollection of anything that happened until they told me they heard me screaming, sweat pouring down my body. They said I’d jerk away, screaming like a maniac, anytime they tried to touch me.

I didn’t remember any of it.

The next day, John, Jason’s dad, sat me down and explained I was having night terrors. He believed it was brought on by the extreme stress I’d been under since my mom died. I didn’t have the heart to tell him he had no idea the duress I was under, what with my dad’s alcohol and pain pill addiction, nor about the neglect and abuse I’d been experiencing. I was too embarrassed and honestly, I was hoping it would just go away.

I had several incidents at home where I’d run into walls, the tub, and once, I nearly fell down the stairs from these damn night terrors. I’d wake up terrified, having no idea I’d even left my room.

The next time I stayed over, I did my best to stay up all night. I was terrified I’d do it at Jason’s house and his family would think I was a freak like my dad said I was.

Eventually, I succumbed to the exhaustion and fell asleep, only to wake a short time later from a night terror. John and Alicia were there, but instead of thinking I was a freak, they were very sympathetic. Alicia’s friend was a therapist and twice a week, Alicia drove me to see her. Between therapy and growing older, the night terrors eventually stopped.

Only to be replaced by nightmares.

My gaze moves to Maddie’s beautiful face. I don’t have the heart to wake her, and I fear that carrying her to her room will certainly do it.

Maybe you won’t have any nightmares if she’s in here with you?

Dread fills me. Fat chance of that. I don’t remember the last time I slept through a night without having any nightmares.

Rolling over, I grab my phone charger beside the bed, plugging it in so it can charge. Before I set it on my nightstand, it beeps with an incoming text message.

Unknown: You think you’ve won. But the games have just begun.

My lips curl up into a smirk. With every fiber of my being, I know who sent that text message.

Me: Game on. And I don’t like losing. I haven’t lost any game I’ve played.

Unknown: Prepare yourself. You have everything to lose.

My heart beats frantically inside my chest, my pulse thrashing in my ears. The fucker just made a veiled threat toward Maddie.

Me: What’s the matter, Ben? Are you a sore loser?

Unknown: I haven’t lost anything. The game has simply changed.

What the fuck does that mean? Whatever game he’s playing, the only thing I’m certain of is that I’m not losing her to him.

Me: I don’t know how the fuck you got my number. Stop fucking around. Say what you need to say.

Unknown: I know you have her. And I also know, you’re going to lose her.

Rage pours through me. I’d like to sit that fucker on a tree stump, drive a knife through his balls, and push him off backward.

Me: Never. She’s MINE. Why don’t you just fuck Chloe and forget about Maddie?

Unknown: Can’t. She’s part of my plan. I’ve been working on it for years. And Jagger… nothing will stop me from executing it.

Me: There’s one thing. ME!

I stare at my phone, rage pounding through my veins like the ocean waves during a storm. I prefer action instead of words, so I say nothing further. But the need to protect her from this fucking monster rises inside me, and I have a strong urge to scoop her up, throw her in my truck, and simply disappear with her.

Time ticks by and he doesn’t respond. When I move to set my phone on my nightstand, it beeps again from another text message.

Unknown: See you soon, Jagger.

Me: I look forward to it. I’ll send you straight to hell, where you belong.

Setting my phone on the nightstand, I lift the covers and climb into my king-sized bed. My gaze moves to Maddie, who remains blissfully aware of the danger surrounding her.

I’m too wound up to hold her in my arms right now. Instead, I lie on my back with my hands beneath my head, staring at the ceiling. I won’t let him fucking hurt her.

My past has prepared me for this moment. I’ve faced bigger and tougher opponents than Ben.

The mere thought of my past triggers images of my dad. He was a bulky, muscular man who had kept himself in top physical condition as a fireman. But as the addiction took him over, he became paunchy, his skin sallow. Then when he spiraled into a world filled with cocaine and heroin, he lost weight rapidly and was continuously agitated and aggressive. Yet his strength never seemed to wane, especially against a young boy.

A chill runs through me as the memories try to assault me. Rolling over, I wrap Maddie in my arms, burrowing my face in her hair. Inhaling her honey and vanilla scent calms me. She gives a slight moan, then rolls, her arms and legs wrapping around me. Her voice is husky with sleep as she simply says, “Jagger.” A slight smile curls her lights before she lets out a sigh, then goes quiet.

A smile curls my lips as I whisper, “I’m here, baby girl.” Then I kiss her forehead, listening to her gentle purr before she goes quiet again.

Jason’s words about things changing echo inside my head, unnerving me.

You’re growing soft. Weak . My monster taunts.

I don’t respond. There’s nothing I can say to that as doubts fill my mind.

My gaze drops to Maddie’s face as she sleeps. Ben’s texts run through my thoughts, filling me with rage.

He can’t fucking have her. She belongs to me.

Eventually, my eyes grow heavy and with Maddie safely tucked in my arms, I fall asleep.