Unbroken

Knock.

Emmaline’s POV

Lucifer’s little head bounded up as he too heard the knocks on my door. I move him to a soft spot on the bed and slowly walk towards the door. I peer through my peep hole with my right eye and just like before there is no on there. Suddenly I notice a black envelope under my feet. Someone must have slid it under my door when they knocked. Thankful I didn’t have to step out into the dark hallway, I take the envelope and plop back onto my bed next to Luce. He purrs and climbs back into my lap claiming his rightful spot.

I inspect the envelope but it’s plain with no indication of who sent it. As I open it a few photos fall onto Lucifer’s back. I pick them up an realize they are of me. Not ones where I was looking into the camera but ones taken from a distance. One of me with my hand on Colby’s shoulder, another of me at work laughing with Kai, another of Stephan walking behind me after the picture of Kai and I was taken and the last of me and Dane at the birthday party entering the elevator. The white note inside simply read.

‘Emmaline.’

What the hell? I first thought maybe Dane was the jealous type and had me followed, but then why take one of me and him? It has to be someone who has been watching me for awhile. The one of Kai and I was from the work Christmas party. That was almost 4 months ago, way before I met Dane.

I take my phone out and snap pictures of the envelope and it contents. I’m not sure who to send them to but I go with my gut and send them to Kai first.

Me: ‘Kai I think someone has been watching me. I just had this envelope of photos slid under my door.’

I sent her close ups of each photo that fell from the envelope.

KB?: ‘What the hell Em?’

‘Did it have anything written on it? Any name or address or anything?’

Me: ‘No, it just has my name on it. Should I tell Dane?’

KB?: ‘I don’t think that would be a bad idea. You can at very least rule out him or someone he works with.’

Me: ‘Thanks Kai your seriously the only person I can trust right now.’

KB?: ‘At least you’re not like naked in them or anything, that’s one positive?’

Me: ‘Thank goodness, I don’t know what I would do then.’

KB?: ‘the one of me and you is actually kind of cute.’

I decided to then forward the photos to Dane with a short text to see if he knew anything about them.

Me: ‘I was just wondering if you maybe had someone following me?’

D♥️: ‘No babe our first encounter was the first time I laid eyes on you. No identifying details anywhere? On the envelope, the note, the back of the pictures?’

I hadn’t even thought to turn the photos around and look at the back. Each one was dated presumably the day they were taken.

D♥️: ‘Are there security cameras in your building?’

Me: ‘I think in the main lobby but who knows. My landlord isn’t one to worry about updating the building.’

D♥️: ‘I’m having Emmitt tap into the cameras storage cloud to see if he can find anyone coming or going around the time that letter was dropped off. Until I can be sure your safe I’m coming to collect you.’

Me: ‘Collect me? What does that mean?’

D♥️: ‘Pack some clothes, I want you to stay with me for at least the rest of the week so I know your safe at all times.’

Me: ‘I have to work Dane! And what about Lucifer? I can’t just leave for a week! What if he thinks I abandoned him?’

I have such a weak spot for this cat. It’s a little pathetic considering he had lived at least a few years on his own before I moved in.

D♥️: ‘Bring him with you! It will be a small vacation away and I’ll make sure you both have everything you need.’

Me: ‘… and work?’

D♥️: ‘You’ll be at the hotel anyways it’ll save you the commute.’

Me: ‘I’ll be fired after one night so it really wouldn’t matter much.’

D♥️: We will make sure it looks like you leave every night and arrive every morning, no one will be the wiser.’

Me: ‘I’ll stay tonight but I’m not sure I can stay the full week Dane.’

D♥️: ‘Ok babe just agree to come for the rest of today and tonight and we can talk about it once your here.’

Me: ‘Fine. I’m still bringing Lucifer for the night.’

That came off a little ungrateful.

Me: ‘Thank you though it should only take me a 30-40 minutes to throw some stuff in a bag, shower and change out of your clothes.’

D♥️: ‘My clothes? Do I have a klepto on my hands Miss Alder?’

Me: ‘I couldn’t resist ?”

After that I clicked my phone screen off and hustled to my bedroom. I started tossing differet options onto my bed, trying to figure out if I had anything worthy of being in front of a king in.

I decided on my newest pair of black denim jeans with a tear in the right knee and a plain grey cropped tank top.

I hop in the shower to quickly wash my hair and get ready to see Dane. I use my blow dryer to remove the bulk of the wetness and tie it into a loose French braid. Pulling on my clothes I realize I left my window slightly ajar when I let in Lucifer. I hope he hadn’t left before I could convince him to hop in my bag and come with me. I look into my room and see my little black ball still curled where I left him.

I close the window and lock the latch. I’m actually glad I left it open, it warned me of the chill still lingering in the air. I run to my closet to finish packing and throw on my jean jacket. I stuff my best lingerie, 2 pairs of leggings and 2 tops in my black over sized bag. With it I toss in a pair of royal blue matching silk pajamas. I don’t even know why I bought those. I think I liked the idea of them more then I liked their practicality. They will serve me well tonight.