Chapter 13
1399 Words
I gripped the steering wheel as I drove away from the restaurant. Mandy's words kept playing in my head.
"When your little erotic writer discovers she is just a pawn in your revenge game."
Fuck.
She wasn't wrong.
I had stalked Daisy. Watched her for weeks before
I "accidentally" moved in across from her apartment. Listened to her moan through the walls. Planned every interaction.
All for revenge.
I had sent that threatening message to her dad. Yes, it was under my command that her sister was threatened. But, it wasn't my men shooting at her earlier. They would never. Neither was it my men stalking her that day of the book reading? Someone, somewhere was meddling in my plans and I hate intruders.
Someone I couldn’t account for.
I was the only one allowed to threaten her, to stalk her, and to ruin her. But right then, I cared a little too much about Daisy. Not like I didn’t care before but it was just different. And I can’t even explain when my feelings shifted.
Was it when I caught her touching herself at the window thinking I couldn't see? , Was it after that night of forbidden love making Or was it when she licked sauce off her lips to drive me insane?
I slammed the brake.
I exhaled, “Get your head straight, Darth.”
My mind flicked to Mandy’s bluffing earlier and I curled my lips into a smile. The kind that doesn’t reach the eye.
Mandy was just jealous. She knew what I was capable of. The b***h knew I had dirt on her, I mean the kind that would end everything her family owns.
She wouldn't dare spill my secrets.
My phone buzzed.
I glanced down.
Daisy.
My heart rate picked up.
I pulled over. Checked the message.
Daisy’s pov
When Killian came downstairs to tell me he was going out to see Viktor I was unhappy. Shocked. Not scared. Because what if the stalker found me?
Then I saw it.
A black car parked behind the safe house. Hidden in the trees. I honestly hadn’t seen it yesterday when we got here.
My stomach dropped.
“Killian.” My voice came out shaky “There’s a car “ I said pointing in that direction.
He turned and followed my gaze.
I stepped back. My hands are trembling “Someone found us here. They …” I was trembling
“Daisy” he called in a low voice
“We need to leave. Right now. We need to …”
“Daisy.” He called again this time in a husky voice as he grabbed my shoulder firm and steady “ Breath”
I couldn’t. My chest was tight. My vision was blurry. All I could hear in my head was the stalker. The shooting. The tracker and now this.
“ That car had always been parked there. You just didn’t notice” he said “ your dad kept it there for an emergency”
I froze
“What?, Are you sure”
Killian pulled a car key from his pocket and placed it in my hands “It's just for emergencies, you keep the keys”
I could feel my nerves relaxing slowly. I stared at the key, then at him, and back to the car.
“You’re sure,” I asked.
“I’m sure”
“Come here” Killian pulled me against his chest. “ I’ve got you,” he whispered into my hair “ I promise “
I pulled back. Looked up at him “ Sorry. I just … I thought…”
“I know.” His thumb brushed my cheek “You’re okay now”
I nodded. My heart was still racing.
“Lock the door. Don’t open it for anyone but me.”
“Ok,” I replied in a whisper and took a step backward “bye , bye.” I said with a hand gesture.
After Killian left, I cleaned up the kitchen. Wiped down the counter, organized the cabinets. Just anything to keep my hands busy.
But my mind kept wandering back to him. The way held me. The way he promised me safety. Once I was done I went upstairs, grabbed my laptop, and sat on the bed.
Opened my manuscript.
“ Forbidden protection” - the title stared back at me.
I started writing it weeks ago. Before the stalking, before the shooting, before my perfect life turned to a hide-and-seek game.
Deep down I knew this book had gone beyond fiction writing it felt too real. Every scene I wrote was us. Killian and I. The tension, the desire, the way he looked at me. Like he wanted to devour me and protect me at the same time.
I started typing.
His hands were rough. Calloused but gentle when they touched her face. “ I’ve got you,” he whispered.
I stopped and stared at my screen. “ This was my life and not fiction “
My mind drifted to Jordan.
He used to sit with me all nights, coffee on the table while he read my chapters over my shoulder. His comments always make me laugh when the scenes get too intense.
“Your characters are horny as hell, Daisy. Give them a break.”
I smiled at the memories.
Then reality hit.
Fuck.
Since Killian seized my phone and ended the call I hadn’t called him yet. I wondered if he was still mad at me.
I reached for my phone and checked. No missed calls. No messages. No notifications m. Nothing to nothing. That was strange. Jordan always texts, always checks on me. I unlocked the phone and went to my call log.
And I froze.
It was different. I blinked and checked again.
This wasn’t my number
Killian had changed my SIM card.
“ Are you kidding me?” I spat out loud. He actually changed my number without telling me. Maybe that was why Jordan hadn’t reached me.
He can’t stay mad at me for long.
I tapped my index finger on my lips gently trying to remember Jordan’s number. Luckily for me, I knew his number by heart. We had been best friends for years and his number was buried in my brain.
I dialed it.
It rang. Once. Twice.
“Hello?”
Relief flooded through me. “ Jordan it’s me”
Silence.
“Daisy? “ he asked sounding surprised. “ Why are you calling from a random number? Did you lose your phone?”
“No. It’s a long story. I just …” I paused. “ I’m sorry Jordan. For the other day when the call got cut off.
“ Oh! That.” His voice softened I know he was smiling from his end though I couldn’t see him “ I thought you were mad at me or something. You never called back. I tried calling and your line won’t go through“
“ I wasn’t mad. I just … things got complicated”
“ Complicated “ he repeated “how”
I bit my lower lip. “I can’t explain over the phone “
“You don’t sound fine. You sound stressed.” He paused. “Who was that guy who answered your phone?”
“My bodyguard “ The word tasted funny on my tongue. Because I just called the man I crave for his touch day in and day out my bodyguard.
He didn’t respond and for a moment I thought he didn’t hear.
Then “You're what “
“ My bodyguard. His name is Killian”
“ Why the hell do you need a bodyguard? Thought you said you left home because you said you wanted to be free and live a simple life.”
I picked on my red nails “ It's a long story, Jordan. I’ll explain when we meet.”
“ Where are you? Are you safe? What exactly is going on” the questions kept coming in.
“I am ok. Just send me an address of a discreet place in town, let's meet” I said. Yes, I know it is risky to go out but I just couldn’t sit here and act like everything was ok.
If we must beat the stalker to his own game, we need an underground eye and ear. I really hoped I could rely on Jordan for this.
- Writer
