Page 6

I can’t believe Nini has a baby. Louie finally came out of the closet and is now engaged to his boyfriend, Steve.

We all knew he was batting for the same team, but were waiting for him to let that personal detail be public. Steve was a few grades under us, so I never really knew him. Back in the day, Nini, Louie, Talia, and I were inseparable. Molly didn’t become a part of our group until she moved here with Zach. Then he divorced her.

With nothing left to do for the day, I may as well go home. There’s only ten minutes till close and I hate walking to my car alone in the dark. Whoever put the employee parking at the back of the lot under the trees didn’t consider that there may be a single woman having to walk out here in the dark. Alone. The pole light flickers, providing some light, but not enough to give me the assurance that I’m safe.

Not with all the murders in the surrounding area.

The click of my car unlocking sounds, and I scurry to get in the driver’s seat. Once safely inside my car, I toss my bag in the passenger seat and turn on some music to give me something to focus on. As I’m pulling away, I don’t get why, but I glance back at the library and I could swear someone is standing in the front window watching me.

I shake my head. It’s probably that cardboard cutout of a tiger in the children’s section casting a shadow or something. Normally I drive straight home, but I need to stop off at the feed store for some cat food. Scampers would never forgive me if I run out of his favorite flavor of wet food. I have a very spoiled kitty that will crap on my bathroom rug if I upset his daily routine.

“Hey Ms. Stone.” I wave at the owner as I enter the store, stopping at the display table full of mums and picking out two pots for my front porch. I love how the vibrant orange petals pop. I push the cart toward the pet aisle, trying to avoid the decor section, because I will be tempted to buy all the new fall things. I grab a case of pate cat food and out of the corner of my eye I spot someone lurking near the end of the aisle. Is someone following me?

My mind flashes back to the figure in the library window.

When I look again whoever it was is gone. I feel like I’m going crazy.

Maybe it is time to stop obsessing over these murders.

I finish up with my shopping and head to the register.

I glance around the store, noting I’m the only customer who appears to be shopping. The hair on the back of my neck raises once more.

Out in the parking lot my car is the only one out here.

I must be losing my dang mind.

Chapter Five

Fuck, she’s beautiful. Her hair is in a messy bun on top of her head as she tidies up her library. I thought she saw me earlier. She even called out. But I watched her just shake it off. She’s spooked by something, and that pisses me off.

She shouldn’t have a reason to be alarmed. She has me. I’ll protect her with my life. I watch her leave, but instead of going after her to keep watch, I go behind her counter and grab the piece of paper I saw her toss out. Whatever was on this freaked her out. “Son of a bitch.”

She’s back. It’s been nearly six months since her last message and her trail went cold.

I thought maybe she’d given up and moved on.

I stopped fucking around. Put an end to seeing other women. I bid my time. Waited to make my move on Delaney and now that I have, all I’ve done is put a target on her back.

I’m going to have to take care of the other player on the scene. Bitch is going too far. Time to clue her in that she can’t have me, ever.

And if she thinks she can take out my beautiful Delaney, she’s got another thing coming.

I pocket the note and head out. Time to start drawing this bitch in, and hopefully this time, she gets it because, if not. I’m coming directly for her next.

Delaney is my girl. I only have eyes for her.

I pull down my mask and zip up my hoodie to go check on her.

She has no idea how many times I’ve broken into her house to watch her sleep.

I watch her from the back of her yard as she goes through the motions of her nightly routine. First, she feeds her cat, Scampers. Then she has dinner and a glass of wine. After that, she takes a bath while she reads. Other nights, she eats popcorn and watches TV until she falls asleep, usually with the help of a sleeping pill.

Delaney used to have night terrors. The first time she slept over at our house with Talia, she woke the whole house up with her screams. I was the first to get to her in the guest bedroom downstairs. She looked at me like I was someone worth looking at and I knew then I’ll always protect the sweet girl with big green eyes. Sometimes I climb into bed next to her. Just to make sure I’m near if her nightmares return.

Tonight, though, I can’t stay.

I have other plans.