Page 12 of Hidden Obsession

Alex whitened a bit. “What about the snakes? Animal control isn’t here yet.”

Malco clapped him on his shoulder. “I’m leaving the keys with you. You don’t even need to go near the car, just point and click to unlock the doors.”

Alex grimaced but took the keys. His reaction made Cleo feel a bit less ridiculous. Alex Webb was a big and dangerous man and wasn’t a snake fan either. The knowledge made her feel a bit better. And now that she had seen the card, she feared the snakes weren’t the only thing she should be afraid of.

* * *

In the brightlight of the morning, her neighborhood didn’t seem as scary as last night. Mason drove in silence, Malco in the passenger seat beside him scanning the area. Cleo wanted to ride shotgun, but both men nixed that, and she was forced to sit in the back much to her chagrin.

Within five minutes they had arrived at her place. She got out of the car, but Malco blocked her as she was taking out her keys. “Wait for us to check the place, Cleo. Please.”

But she was tired of not being in control of anything and ignoring him she headed for the front door. After all, they had been in her tiny apartment last night. Did that mean her stalker could have been hiding there while she packed her bag? Or after? Taking a single card would be easy; nobody would notice.

Mason jogged behind her as she unlocked her door and immediately pushed her behind him before she could enter, but not before she glimpsed inside. Her heart stopped at the sight. It looked as if a wild animal at been turned loose inside her home.

Everything had been thrown to the ground. Her curtains had been pulled off the poles and someone had slashed her lovely blue couch and the colorful cushions on it, completely destroying them. On the living room wall, spray paint had been used to draw two huge interlocking red hearts with a black arrow through the middle. Mason and Malco bypassed her, guns drawn as they advanced, making sure the place was empty. Their shoes crunched over the broken dishes, glasses, and trinkets smashed on the floor. Cleo felt her heart break at the sound of her possessions being destroyed even more.

Mason returned, sliding his gun into his holster under his jacket and Malco came back shaking his head. “The place is clear. I don’t know what this asshole’s problem is, but he did a thorough job in trashing Cleo’s place.”

Not listening to the men, she went to her bedroom, and it took everything in her not to fall into a mess of tears and rage. Every piece of furniture was broken and her dresser lay face down. The perpetrator had sliced her mattress and drapes like he’d done to the couch in the living room. She could practically feel the rage it took to do that kind of damage.

With all the destruction, it was the sight of her purple vibrator sitting in the middle of a pile of fabric and stuffing that had her sucking in a breath. To have something so intimate touched by a stranger—most probably the man who’d attacked—her made her feel dirty and vulnerable in a way she never had before. At least the men behind her didn’t comment, thank goodness.

As she looked around, Cleo saw the tarot cards all over the floor. Some were torn, others bent. Returning to the dresser, she noticed it had been knocked over before the person had the chance to rummage through it.

When she bent down, it was evident that the piece of furniture was way too heavy for her to move by herself. She remembered the two men who were now standing by her bedroom door and she looked at them with raised eyebrows.

Mason, arms crossed, came nearer, a smile tugging at his lips. “And here I thought we were here as silent extras. Take a side, Malco, use your muscles for once.”

It took both men to put the dresser upright and Cleo managed to keep most of the drawers closed during the process.

Cleo pulled open the first drawer and sagged in relief when she saw the carved wooden box still intact. It contained the few family heirlooms she possessed, mostly inexpensive jewels, several old photographs, and the tarot deck from her grandmother. Quickly, she pulled it out, checked the deck, and found the Lovers card before sagging in relief. She closed her box and put her forehead against the lid.

Mason approached, his hand finding the familiar spot on her back in a show of support. She was glad to have it as she began to explain. “I don’t own much, but this box contains the few memories and valuables I do possess. I thought it was from my grandmother’s deck when I saw that card with the snakes,” her voice shook on the word, “but it was from my own set. I can live with that fucker destroying those.”

Mason seemed tempted to ask a question, but more pressing matters needed to be dealt with. “We need to call the authorities on this. Grab a bag and pack everything you don’t want to leave behind. Bring your clothes too.”

Keeping the box against her chest, she looked around. “I don’t want to touch anything he may have touched. It feels dirty to me.”

Mason nodded, and Malco disappeared. “You can take what’s in the dresser, that hasn’t been touched.”

Malco reappeared with a folded garbage bag. “I found it under your kitchen sink. It’s clean and was still in the box. Not pretty, but you can use it for now.”

Grateful, she smiled at the man. “Quick thinking, Batman, thanks.”

He nodded a small grin playing on his lips before excusing himself saying he would call Shane before calling the cops.

Mason picked up the bag and opened it for her so she could throw in what would be useful and take it with her. But where? To Mason’s apartment?

“Why a frown? A penny for your thoughts, Cleo?”

Distracted, she shook her head. “I need a place to stay. I just realized I might never be able to live in this apartment again. And that makes me mad because I loved it. After Emme and Shane hired me, finding this apartment was the first thing I did. I splurged on the furniture, the decorations, and the clothes. I remember my first night here. I was so happy I had moved here.”

She wasn’t on the verge of tears this time; she just felt so very sad. And then she thought of who could have been so vile; a fire started burning inside her. “I don’t understand who this person could be! I haven’t been in Miami long enough to have much contact with people, let alone make any enemies. And I work all the time. Apart from here and the occasional trips to the store, I barely leave the office.”

Mason put the bag down before looking at her. “Stalkers are sick people. They’re obsessed with the object of their desire. It doesn’t mean it’s someone you know or noticed. It could be someone you’ve met once, and instantly became the object of his sick fascination. The team is going to find him, then we’ll have answers to your questions.”

Cleo puffed out a breath and rolled her shoulders. “In the meantime, I feel like my home has been burned to the ground. I’m like a boat lost at sea, without anywhere to go.”

“You do have a place to go. You can use my guest room for as long as you need. My building is safe, and as we work together, we can use my car to get to and from work.”

“I can’t invade your home like that. Last night was a one-off, an emergency, but staying until we find this guy? I can’t impose on you like that.”

Mason took another step, and this time, a dark cloud descended over his handsome face showing his annoyance. “You are not imposing on me. In fact, Emme and Shane wanted to take you to their place last night, but I decided to take you to my home.” He lifted his and his fingers traced her jaw. “I want you at my place. I wouldn’t have offered otherwise.”

Delicious shivers started rolling over her skin as his mouth came closer. It took all her might not to lean up and taste him. “What happened last night won’t happen again. I told you, I don’t date or have sex with co-workers.”

“As you had sex with yourself, I think your point is moot. I can be as stubborn as you, Miss Darwin. Accept it or not, there is something between us. It’s been there since the first moment we met. It stands between us and I don’t think there are many options. My choice is to explore it.” When she opened her mouth to answer, Mason shook his head. “Don’t deny it. You’re too smart to play dumb. And you can say we’re opposites all you like, but I don’t agree. I don’t think you know me enough to make that call, and the glimpse I’ve had of you makes me believe I’m right. So take this little cohabitation period as a possible test. You look beyond the suit, and I’ll look beyond the purple hair, and then we’ll see where we truly stand. I won’t ever force myself on you. But I won’t be taken for a fool either, not when I know you want me as much as I want you. When you’re ready to admit that we can talk.”

Speechless, Cleo couldn’t say anything, as she tried to wrap her mind around what he’d just said.

“Now, let’s put your stuff in my car and deal with the team, the police, and most probably your insurance. Then we can head back to Alliance and take this fucker down.”