Page 41 of Playing with Forever (Players Club Sinners #1)

Chase

A fter we finished just embracing and slowly breathing together, I took Andrea back to my condo, where she belonged. By that time it was pre-dawn, so I made her call in sick to work so she could sleep in.

Having Andrea back in my place made it seem that much more like home. And, knowing she was safe with me was an added bonus. Her stalker was still out there, clearly getting bolder, and my only priority was finding the person responsible for all these threats.

We were both too exhausted to talk when we arrived. We just passed out in bed together. I slept deeply, no dreams, but feeling the weight of her in my arms even when unconscious, I was secure in the knowledge that she was exactly where she belonged.

The next day we moved some of her things back over to my place. I didn’t officially tell her that she was going to move in with me on a more permanent basis than just the stalker situation, but I was pretty sure there wasn’t going to be an argument when it happened.

I figured I’d wait a couple weeks before I started asking her what paint colors she’d like for the walls or when she’d like to move her art prints over.

Actually, I was excited to buy her proper original art pieces of her own.

Vegas always had some kind of art show going on, and I was in the mood to spoil her.

Especially knowing that Andrea had endured such financial insecurity.

I wanted her to know that I could get her not just anything she needed, but anything she wanted.

Even though this stalker was getting braver, Andrea insisted on going back to work on Tuesday. “I only skipped a day because I would’ve been falling asleep at my desk,” she said.

I leaned against the bathroom doorway, watching as she finished doing her hair for the day, just enjoying her presence and this lighter feeling inside me after our conversation at her place earlier. I felt happier…and hopeful about our future together.

“Breaking into your townhome is a major escalation,” I said, not happy that she was leaving the house at all.

“I know that.” Her gaze met mine in the bathroom mirror, and I didn’t miss the stubborn set to her jaw.

“But I can’t let this guy stop me from living my life.

If I stay home under house arrest all day, every day, hasn’t he won in a different way?

Doesn’t that give him the control over me that he wants? ”

I couldn’t argue her point, as much as I wanted to. “I hope you know how brave you’ve been about all of this. Most people would have stayed cooped up inside and demanded we send an entire army to protect them.”

“I don’t know if I’d call myself brave,” she said, giving me a sassy smile. “I think obstinate and headstrong are better terms.”

I snorted in amusement, then grew serious again. “This isn’t a scene. You aren’t being a brat to enjoy a punishment or get a rise out of me. You’re choosing to keep living your life even though you’re scared and you know it’s a risk. That’s bravery.”

Andrea turned around, her face beautifully flushed. “Well. Thank you.”

I dropped her off at the office before heading to work myself. I gave her a kiss before she slid out of the car, and I grinned as she waved goodbye to me before heading into the building.

I still had to do the security detail that I was paid to do, but I found time late in the afternoon to head back into the office and go over the files on Heath that Tate had sent me. I was sure he was the stalker. He didn’t have any priors, but that didn’t mean he was innocent, either.

Heath knew about the tattoo, and about Andrea’s personal life. He’d shown up in her neighborhood at a grocery store, exactly when Andrea had been there, and he’d made it clear he wanted her back.

Unfortunately, and worryingly, we couldn’t find him.

Heath had moved out of his last place about a month ago, leaving no forwarding address. I tried calling his workplace but was told that he’d taken some time off using his accumulated vacation days and they hadn’t heard from him in a few weeks.

That definitely didn’t allay my suspicions at all. In fact, it heightened them.

I just had to figure out where the fuck this guy had gone.

I was just getting ready to leave to go and pick up Andrea from work when my phone buzzed with a text from her. I grabbed it and looked it over.

Hey, handsome, going to be a little later than planned. Brandon and I are staying after hours, just the two of us, to push through on this project. Which is your fault for making me skip work yesterday by the way.

I grinned and texted her back. Excuse you, but I don’t recall twisting your arm to make you do anything. You were exhausted. But sure, next time I’ll make you get up and go to work with only four hours of sleep.

Now that’s sadistic, Andrea texted me back. And not in a fun way.

And here I thought you enjoyed pain and punishment, I teased her.

“Yo, Chase?”

I looked up to see Tate standing there in my office, a folder in his hand. He looked a little worried.

“Hey.” I put the phone down. “What’s up?”

“You remember that guy you asked me to look into?”

I sat up a little straighter, thinking this must be it . Finally. Heath’s location, or some proof that he’d done this sort of thing before. “Yeah?”

Tate tapped the folder against his hand. “Well, I kept digging, and it took me a bit of time, but I was able to unearth a juvenile file.”

I leaned back in my chair and frowned. “Juvenile records are generally sealed.”

“I know.” Tate grinned at me and winked.

I was impressed, knowing Tate had most likely hacked into the system to retrieve the information. “Damn, you’re a master of your craft.”

Tate passed me the file and I opened it.

“He was arrested twice for stalking and assaulting former girlfriends,” Tate said, giving me a quick rundown.

“He was fifteen one time, seventeen the next. Because he was under the age of eighteen all records were sealed, and as far as I can tell he basically got a slap on the wrist for it. You know how it is, the guy’s young, so they want to give him a chance to grow up and do better. ”

“Yeah, and after that, he clearly got smarter. Knew how to do it so he wouldn’t get caught,” I murmured. I stared down at the file, expecting to see Heath’s name there at the top—and froze.

It wasn’t Heath.

The file said Brandon Smith .

I looked up at Tate, my blood going cold. “This is—this is the coworker I asked you to look into.”

“Yeah.” Tate sounded a little confused. “I’m still tracking down the ex-boyfriend. But this is pretty concerning, right?”

More than that. My heart slammed against my chest and I threw the file aside and got to my feet, grabbing my phone. “I have to go.”

I was pretty sure this man had tried to break into her home just two days ago and now he had her alone at the office. I had to get to Andrea. Now.