Page 145 of Trick or Stalk

I’m not.

I’ve done worse things than scare a woman.

Much worse.

There’s a dead man several states away who could testify to that if Wilder and I hadn’t made sure he never spoke again.

Presley is different, though.

I don’t want to hurt her.

I want her safe. Protected.

I want anyone who even thinks about touching her to understand exactly how bad that decision would be.

But afraid of me?

That’s different.

I like knowing I’m the reason her pulse races.

I like knowing she’ll look toward these woods tomorrow.

That she’ll wonder whether I’m there.

Whether I’m watching.

Whether I can see her.

I want her afraid of the masked man. Curious about him.

Eventually, I want her anticipating him.

Waiting for him.

Looking for me before I even appear.

My gaze returns to her dark bedroom window. The curtains remain closed. For now.

“We’ll see how long that lasts.” The words disappear into the cold night.

I should go home.

Instead, I stay.

Because tonight wasn’t only about the mask.

Hours ago, Presley ran to me. Hades.

I hadn't planned on going inside The Crooked Spine.

I'd gone there because I wanted to see her.

The lights were still on when I reached the back of the building. I told myself I'd make sure she was there. That I'd leave without letting her see me.

Then I found the back door unlocked.

I should've walked away.