Page 16 of Reckless
Me: Everything okay?
I’d planned to give her a little space and let her handle her own problems. This doesn’t count as hovering. I’m just one friendly coworker, checking in on another after something traumatic. Totally normal. My gut tells me her stalker doesn’t want to physically harm her, at least not yet. The messages she’s received so far, and even the break-in afterward, seemed more like an attempt to frighten her, scare her away, maybe?
When I let myself think about it, what I really worried about, was what would happen when they realized their scare tactics weren’t working.
It was starting to drive me mad, worrying about who was targeting her. A girl like Phoebe— bright, bubbly, driven—doesn’t have enemies. Not the kind who’d want to run her out of town. She couldn’t even come up with a list of people nearby who’d want to harass her. She’s new to town, so unless someone followed her from Florida, it’s unlikely that it is a personal thing. There’s something I’m missing, and I know it. Hissing out a breath, I wish I hadn’t limited myself to that one beer.
As much as I wanted to avoid getting involved, I can’t turn a blind eye to the fact that someone is harassing her. I may be an asshole, but I’m not completely heartless. Maybe, if she gets to know me, she’ll let me help more. Even though both my heart and head know getting even closer to her is a terrible idea. I may come to regret it, but what the hell. I’ve risked far worse things than helping Phoebe Hart.
I’m just finishing the beer, already mourning its loss, when a knock comes at my door. Figuring it’s Seth coming to berate me again, I holler, “It’s open!” as I cross the living room to the kitchen to throw away the bottle.
The door opens, and a voice that’s definitely not Seth says, “Hello?”
I come around the corner and see Phoebe standing in my front entryway. My feet eat up the room in three strides. “What is it? Are you okay? Did something happen?”
She shakes her head, her odd-colored eyes wide. “No—I mean yes. But nothing bad. I mean, I’m fine . . . physically.”
She may be unhurt, but the girl I thought couldn’t be shaken is shook. “Come, sit down. Do you want some water or something to drink?”
“Thanks, but I’m fine. I didn’t know where else to go. You were the first person I thought of. I got your info from Seth. I hope you don’t mind.”
Waving away her concerns, I take a seat next to her on the couch. “What happened?”
Her hands flutter as she tells me about how she was at home—her first night back in her apartment no less—when she got another message. “Shit. Are you okay?”
“I’m fine. Pissed off but fine. This is it.” She digs in her bag and pulls out her phone to show me the message.
It’s another picture. One from the night I brought her to the hotel.
“Is this the first one you’ve gotten since the break-in?”
“Yeah. To be honest, I thought they were giving up. Stupid. It’s like they knew I was going to be back home trying to get back to normal andknewthis would get under my skin.” She sniffles like she’s going to cry.
“Don’t cry. Shh. We’re going to figure this out. I promise. Shit, don’t cry.” I let myself give in to the temptation to hold her as she trembles against me. My arms go around her for one long moment. Then I force myself to let her go and give her enough space to talk. And me enough space to breathe.
Her blotchy red face and teary eyes turn up to mine. “I hate crying. I’m not sad. I’m pissed the fuck off. Tonight had been such a good night, and then this. Part of me thought this was over, but it was like heknewI was moving on, so he wanted to retraumatize me. Who would want to hurt me that much?”
“We’re going to find out. I promise you. Did you report this to the police?”
Her normally tan complexion is ghost white, making her eyes stand out even more. But her voice is strong and even when she answers. “Yes, I went there first. I mean, before I came here. They noted it down in the file, but there still isn’t much they can do. I’m just so fucking frustrated.”
“I know you are.”
Phoebe won’t hear of staying at my place, at least not yet, but I plan to wear her down. If there is someone out there stalking her, she’ll be safer with some protection. She says her gun is protection enough, but no matter how much you prepare, sometimes shit just goes sideways.
The police are of little help when we stop by the next day to speak with the lead detective on her case. They say there isn’t much they can do until they have more information. As if a break-in and stalking aren’t enough. Phoebe didn’t seem put out by it, and I was ready to demand answers until she pulled me away.
Fuck that.
I’m not the type of man to sit and wait until something bad happens. I’m a take-action sort of guy.
With that in mind, I decide to pay another visit to my old boss, Jackson Cole, at Cole Security Forces. If anyone knows what to do, it’ll be him.
Thankfully, Jackson is in town and in the office instead of out on an assignment. But he spends most of his time at home in California with his family these days. Lucky bastard.
He greets me with a clap on my shoulder when I walk into his office. “Hollywood, been a while, man. How are you?”
“Not bad, but I wish I were here under better circumstances.”