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I hear the veiled threat in his words. My brother wasn't here to catch up. This was a warning. This was him putting in his intent to let me know that he's here to cause chaos in my city.
My eyes flick back over to Elena. I'm going to have to be more vigilant than ever about watching her now.
I grit my teeth so tightly I'm surprised I don't snap my jaw in two.Fucking Dorian.
Thirteen
Elena
I must beparanoid because for the rest of the night I'm jumpy as hell. I don't know if it has something to do with the guy who wouldn't take no for an answer or the sudden appearance and disappearance of my elusive employer, but I keep feeling that little pinprick at the back of my neck. I have the overwhelming sensation that I'm being watched, which is ridiculous because I'm in a crowded dance club. Of course, there are eyes on everyone.
But whenever I look around, I can't see any one person staring at me. There's nothing that would warrant this prickling sensation on the back of my neck.
It reminds me of how I felt all those weeks ago when I used to walk to and from work before Stephan hired me.
My mind thinks back to how my alarm didn't go off for three days in a row. I think back to the morning I woke up in my bed and don't remember getting there.
And then I wonder all over again if maybe I'm going crazy, if there's something wrong with me.
I sit there, sipping my drink, suddenly not in the mood to party anymore after all. I'm starting to wish that I had stayed home in my luxurious new apartment where I'm safe and comfortable. Why did I think it was a good idea to put myself out here anyway? Who says I have to have friends and date and all that jazz?
I have it better than I've ever had it. So what if staying at home by myself makes me lame? At least I don't get all worked up like this when it's just me, myself, and I.
I bite my lip as I consider my options. Stephan told me to always use his driver when I needed to go anywhere, but I came here tonight with the girls and it wouldn't be fair of me to expect them to leave early just because I want to go home.
I consider how far this place is from my apartment. It's not really that long of a walk. In fact, it might do me good to get out and get some fresh air. It's been a while since I walked anywhere. Stephan has definitely spoiled me working for him. And if I get tired, I can always hail a taxi somewhere along the road.
My decision made, I get up to go tell the girls that I think I'm going to head out.
"Oh no!" Kate looks concerned. "Are you sure? Are you not having fun?"
"I am!" I give her a bright smile and then put on a fake yawn. "I'm just such a baby, though. I'm tired. I think I'm going to go ahead and hit the sack."
"Do you want me to drive you?" she offers, but I'm already shaking my head. The fact that she even offered when she's obviously having fun makes me really appreciate her.
"No, you girls have fun! I'll be fine!" I give them another bright smile.
"Well, if you're sure?" Kate looks torn.
"Yes, totally!" I smile at her again, trying to reassure her. I don't want her to feel bad when she's been nothing but amazing to me. "I promise I'll be fine!"
Kate pulls me in for an impromptu hug that has me blinking at its suddenness. Part of me wishes I could stay and keep having fun with the girls, but the mood is gone for me. I can't stop thinking about Stephan and wondering where he came from and where he went.
I take in a deep breath as soon as I step outside the club. It's dark out here, but there are plenty of streetlights lining the sidewalk, and neon lights are lit up all up and down the strip, so it's not like super creepy dark. Plus, there are plenty of people bustling to and fro up the sidewalk since it's not overly late yet.
I walk down the sidewalk, and there it is, again. Little prickles at the back of my neck. I stop and cast my eyes all around me, having the strangest sense of déjà vu. I remember walking down the street before and feeling this way.
Spooked, I pick up my steps and start walking more doggedly toward the apartment Stephan set me up with. I'm starting to second guess whether I should have called his driver after all.
But then I tell myself that I'm just being silly because there's no reason I shouldn't be able to walk down the street alone. I'm a grown-ass woman. I've been on my own for years now. I can take care of myself.
I jump when a voice sounds to my left.
"It's a beautiful night, isn't it?"
I stumble, but a strong hand comes out to steady me. I tilt my head up to take in the tall man standing there. His smile is gleaming down at me in the streetlight. His hair is blond, his eyes brown, and I register somewhere in the back of my mind that he's quite handsome. He has those perfect good looks, the kind that you would see on the cover of a magazine.
He's stylishly dressed, and it's obvious he's muscular underneath those fine clothes.
