Page 48 of Veil of Obsession

I look back at the door, debating whether I should risk it. Then I turn to one of the girls.

“Hi. Um…I’m sorry to do this, but can I ask you something?”

She looks at me, her blue eyes wide. “Sure.”

“I have a crazy ex-boyfriend, and I think I just saw him.” Pulling out my phone, I show her a picture of Lucio. “This is what he looks like. Can you just check if he’s out there?”

“Oh, my God. Yes, I can check for you. Don’t worry,” she readily agrees and moves toward the door, opening it slowly and stepping out.

I wait for her to step back inside and watch as she hurries back, her lips pressed together.

“He’s right outside, girl. I’m sorry.”

I shake my head. “No, no, it’s not your fault. I just…”

“I can call security if you’d like?” she offers.

“No!” I wince before calmly saying, “No. It’s okay, thank you.”

My eyes drift over the entire place, and when they land on the easily openable window, I look back at the two girls, who are watching me.

“You want to…” the other girl, the brunette, drifts off.

I nod. “Yes.”

The blonde jumps in. “We’ll help you.”

That’s how I manage to get two normal girls to help me escape from the man I’ve been stalking for the past three years. My so-called “crazy ex-boyfriend.” I could almost laugh. Almost.

It takes a bit of an effort, but I manage to unlatch the window, and with the girls holding me up, I shimmy out. I stand in the dark alleyway that’s behind the bar; it’s closer to eight-thirty at night now.

“Thanks, girls.” I wave goodbye to them before quickly making my way down the alley.

This was a fucking mistake. I should not have followed him all the way here. But I’m not always the smartest when it comes to that man.

Hailing a cab, I give the driver the address to Jade’s apartment, and he drives off. I inhale a deep breath; this was a massive mistake, one that I won’t ever make again.

Don’t get too close.

I’ll have to maintain some distance, but I’ll indulge myself at events—the only place I’ll be able to blend into the wallpaper without him noticing me. Tonight was a close call.

Finally, I check my phone to see what he texted me back at the bar.

Lucio

Cute red dress.

Fuck me.

He knows what I look like. My name and who the fuck I am.

It’s done. All the work I’ve done the past three years has been for nothing. The cab comes to a screeching halt in front of my friend’s apartment; I pay the driver and get out. I take the steep stairs two at a time and finally reach the landing of the first floor of the apartment building.

I bang on the apartment door, the cold air biting at my skin. The wind sweeps down the empty street, carrying the scent of damp asphalt and distant cigarette smoke. Too quiet. Too still.

I bang on the apartment door again, my pulse hammering against my ribs. Nothing.

No lights flicker on from inside, no sound of rushed footsteps approaching.