“No.” I dig my heels into the ground.
He yanks.
My shoulder hurts in its socket but there’s no way I’m willingly going with him.
He raises a brow, his eyes darkening with the realization. “Fine, we’ll do it the hard way then.”
He whistles.
What is he…
Dark figures pour out of the press of trees around us.
Fear clamps down tight on my heart. It’s them. I’m not sure where to go so I pull closer to Todd, still looking around at the men closing in.
Todd smirks.
“You are with them.” My mouth drops open.
This entire time… my stalkers have been from my former job and my ex.
I have to escape. But the men surround me now. If I go forward, it’s Todd and behind me, it’s them.
I’m trapped.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Chance
I whoosh out a breath as I tear through the night to Maddie’s villa. I know the last thing she wants is to see me, but I have to try. I can’t let her leave without making up somehow.
I turn down the lane that leads to her home and ease off on the gas. The car slows to a crawl and stops in front of the wooden home. The light is on inside.
An exhale falls from my lips. The deja vu is heavy. Except for the absence of flowers, it’s like the last time.
This time, I don’t dawdle. There’s no time to waste. Best to get over with the rejection quickly.
I climb out and march up the walkway, then I stop at the door. I knock once.
There’s no answer, so I knock again. She doesn’t answer.
Has she seen me through a window and decided she doesn’t want to talk?
I push away the hurt that fists around my heart. “Maddie, we have to talk.”
It’s completely silent. No shuffling, no rustling.
Is she even in?
I turn the lock. It doesn’t give. Proud that she’s still careful about her safety, I round the house.
The back is possibly locked too, but I try it anyway. And it opens.
My brows draw down. She should be more careful than this.
Just so I don’t spook her by creeping, I stop at the door and call out her name. The villa isn’t tiny, but it’s cozy enough that sound travels easily. She should have heard me by now.
Worried now, I make my way into her home. “Maddie?”
