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I knewthe moment I said the words, I was risking it all. Her whole body tensed, but I was thankful she hadn’t pulled away from me. She swallowed, her eyes tracking mine back and forth as she searched them.
“I think I’m going to need you to explain.”
Nodding, I exhaled the breath I’d been holding. In all the times I’d thought of telling her, it had never been like this.
“Your father,” I said, and her eyes closed tight. “He owed people a lot of money, and one of those guys put out a contract for your head if your father didn’t deliver by a certain date. When you didn’t return home, it was activated. When I saw the file come across the server, I knew I had to take it. I’d met you a few nights earlier at that old bar on 10th street. Do you remember that?”
She nodded, her chin wobbly, her eyes remaining closed.
“There was something about you that night I couldn’t stop thinking about. I hated that you’d gone home with that guy. I kept waiting to see if you’d come back. You didn’t, though, so I took matters into my own hands.”
“To kill me?” she asked, finally opening her eyes.
I gave her a wry grin. “Hey, it was the only way to get an audience with you. But better for me to take it than for someone else.”
“But you didn’tkillme, so why am I not dead?”
“I feel like you’re really hung up on thekillyou part.” I narrowed my eyes, giving her a look.
“Uh, you think! It’s not every day you hear someone wanted you dead.”
Her eyes grew big, and I wondered if she would even blink as she looked at me. Laughing, I was glad when she cracked a small smile, some of her light returning.
“I followed you for a few days to see what kind of person you were. I didn’t know why they wanted to kill you at first. By the time I decided not to go through with the contract, it was too late. They took out your father and offered double for your murder. So, I faked it.”
“You faked my murder,” she said, looking at me in disbelief.
“Do you remember when we ran into one another next?”
She tilted her head in thought as she rummaged through her memories. “No, sorry. The next time I remember you, was when I ran into you at a club. My mom had just moved here, and it was my first night out in forever. We danced. I remember that.”
I smiled, nodding. Rubbing her cheeks, I had to remind myself not to get lost in her eyes. “Yeah. That wasn’t a coincidence. I knew you’d be there, so I made sure to run into you.”
“It sounds like you were a bit of a stalker.”
“Depends on your definition.” Nat gave me a look, and I chuckled. “I’ve been in the shadows along the way, making sure your ID came through easily, that Lily got into the school you wanted. I’ve been trying to help you.”
She leaned back, putting her arms out. “Wait, what?” Sitting up, she grabbed the closest item of clothing she could and pulled it over her head. It was both a blessing and a shame—I no longer got to stare at her tits, but it wasn’t as distracting either.
“Youarea stalker!”
“No.” I shook my head, feeling firm on this. “I never manipulated or did anything to harm you. I just helped whatever decisions you made if I could. And I kept you safe. The fake death kept them off your trail for a while, but every now and then, a new one will pop up, and I make sure they don’t come anywhere near you or Lily.”
“I don’t know how to deal with this. Why didn’t you tell me?” She looked up at me, tears brimming in her eyes as the hurt set in.
“I wanted to a thousand times, but you never seemed ready. You always kept me at arm's length, and I didn’t know how I’d survive without our hookups. I’m telling you all of this to say, there haven’t been any other girls, Nat. There’s just you.”
“But…” she blinked, “none?”
I shook my head. “I’ve been in love with you for years. My dick doesn’t even respond to other women.”
“But you’reyou,” she said, waving her hand up and down in front of me. “And you work out there.” She motioned toward the club, and I assumed she meant all the half-naked people.
I shrugged one shoulder, unsure how to communicate my feelings to her. “So? They’re not you.”
She scooted off the bed, pacing as she raked her hands through her hair. She started muttering under her breath, and I caught a few words here and there.
“Loves me. Contract killer. Stalker. Loves me.”
