Page 108 of Until Joy

The next twenty minutes felt like a nightmare I couldn't wake up from. Graham and I sat on his front steps—me in my panties and Graham’s shirt—until Graham demanded they get me a coat. Graham was shirtless and barefoot in nothing but a pair of jeans. All while heavily armed officers searched his house. Neighbors gathered on the street, watching the drama unfold like it was reality television.

Nico arrived just as the SWAT commander was starting to look sheepish about the whole thing. Whatever Nico said to them worked. The tactical team began packing up their gear, leaving behind only a few patrol officers to take statements.

“The call came from a burner phone,” one of the officers explained. “Anonymous tip claimed there were hostages and weapons involved. Said shots had been fired.”

When one of the patrol officers came to us to ask for information, Graham practically ripped his head off. “We’re going into the house. Now. Joy needs to get dressed before she gives any kind of statement,” Graham growled.

As soon as we got into the bedroom, I heard my phone ringing. It stopped before I had a chance to answer it. I went over to it and saw I had missed eighteen calls, all from the same number that I didn’t recognize. It rang again.

“Don't answer it,” Graham said immediately.

But my finger was already swiping to accept the call. I needed to know.

“Hello?”

The voice that came through the speaker wasn't human. It was electronically altered, robotic and terrifying.

“This could all stop, Joy. All you have to do is leave him. Walk away from the motorcycle man and I'll disappear. Keep protecting him and things will get much worse.”

The line went dead.

“Who was it? What did they say?”

I swallowed. I tried to tell him. Then swallowed again. I was having trouble getting the words out. When I finally told him, Graham left the bedroom and shouted for Nico.

Graham started issuing rapid-fire orders to Nico and the remaining officers. But all I could hear was that mechanical voice promising escalation.

“Put some clothes on, Joy. We're leaving, right the fuck now.” Graham's voice cut through my paralysis as he stomped back into the room. “Did you hear me?”

“Now?”

“Yeah, now,” he growled. “We’re going to the same fucking hotel where your brothers are staying. I want us out of here in under a minute, are you good with that?” He looked me dead in the eye, and below his barely controlled rage, I saw the edge of fear and I knew it was all because of me.

“Okay, we can go,” I nodded.

“Pack a bag, baby. Make it fast. The hotel is just our first stop, after that we’ll figure something out.”

He was scaring me. He touched my cheek.

“Joy, I’ll make this right.”

I trapped his hand against my face. “I know you will.” I looked around at the chaos my stalker had created. Police cars, neighbors, the wreckage of our normal life scattered like debris from an explosion.

This wasn't just harassment anymore. This was psychological warfare.

And I was starting to understand that my stalker wasn't going to stop until he got what he wanted.

Me.

Alone.

Isolated from everyone who loved me.

The thought should have terrified me.

Instead, it pissed me the hell off!

Chapter 28