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“I mostly live in and out of penthouse hotels, but I’m due downtown tomorrow. We’ll start there.”
“And then?”
“You’ll get a full itinerary of where I have to be for the next six months.”
“Why six months?”
“It’s all the time I have.”
“For what?”
Again, I spoke with conviction, “To divide and fucking conquer.”
—Paige—
I couldn’t believe I was actually considering his proposition, but what other choice did I have? As much as I hated to admit it, he was right. It was only a matter of time until my stalker made their identity known or made their move. I honestly had no clue who this person could be. I didn’t date a lot. I had no time for that. My career kept me busy.
When this all started, it was meaningless at first. The only things sent to me were random letters or gifts. I didn’t think anything of it. There was no inclination they meant me any harm. But out of nowhere, they began sending me pictures of myself in various places. Like at an event, telling me how beautiful I looked in my dress.
Slowly, the photos took a drastic turn. They became images of me sleeping or eating. It went from one letter a month to a couple a week. It got so bad I had to report them to the police. Once they started investigating, it led them nowhere. All I could do was wait.
With each day that flew by, the unease in my mind grew. Excessively working was the only way I could pretend this wasn’t happening to me. The crazy part was a big part of me was relieved Adrian knew about my stalker. Although I’d never admit that to him. He didn’t deserve the peace of mind when it came to me. I didn’t want to move in with him, let alone have to work with him all hours of the day and night. But again, what other choice did I have…
He had the financial means to find out who was stalking me. I may have hated him. However, there wasn’t a doubt in my mind he’d keep me safe. I loathed having to rely on him this way, knowing he’d used it to his advantage like he did everything with me. I had to stay strong in my defenses against him. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I’d be in this situation with Adrian.
I. Hated. Him.
I had to keep reminding myself of that.
Reading my mind, he questioned, “What can I do to ease your concerns?”
“I’ll agree to this on one condition.”
“You’re in no place to start making demands, Cherry.”
“From where I’m standing, I’m the one in control, Adrian.”
He grinned, obviously amused with my feisty attitude.
“You need to add in your contract after the six months are up, you’ll leave me alone. It’s over. We’re over. Are we clear?”
“Only if I find your stalker.”
“Fine. Add it to the contract. Understood?”
His jaw tightened before he reluctantly nodded.
“And just to make myself even more crystal clear, I won’t fuck you.”
He scoffed. “This isn’t about sex, Paige. We go much deeper than that.”
“Don’t use words you don’t understand.”
No emotion spread throughout his face as if he agreed with my statement. For some reason, it made me hurt for him. Adrian had always been a paradox of contradictions. One right after the other. I played his game and I lost.
I loved him.
I gave him everything I could, hoping he’d love me back.
