AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“You mean all ninety-seven of them,” I say sarcastically, trying to make a point.
“Yes,” Detective Simmons acknowledges. “So can we get copies of the footage?”
“Of course,” I snap, pulling out my phone as I scroll through to my head of security at the lodge. I give him a quick call, explaining the situation and asking if he can make copies of the tapes and get them sent to the detective and me as soon as possible, before I hang up. “Should have them in twenty minutes,” I say.
“Good, thank you,” Detective Simmons says. “I’ll let you know if we find anything. In the meantime, I would suggest you don’t answer any calls from unknown numbers, unless you are here and we can start a trace,” he says.
“Shouldn’t she get a new number?” I ask, hating that whoever is doing this has her contact details.
He shakes his head. “No, I think it’s best she keeps this one. Whoever is doing this clearly has a point to prove and they appear to be getting more and more brazen. It’s only a matter of time before they slip up, so we—”
“So you want to use Zoey as bait?” I shout, my blood pounding in my veins.
“No, nothing like that,” he says.
“Then what?”
The detective glances at Zoey, offering her a small smile before he turns back to me. I get the feeling he’s probably already explained all of this to her and is now repeating himself in an attempt to placate me. I don’t really give a fuck though, because I am sure if it were his girlfriend going through this, he’d be doing everything he fucking could to fix it.
“We want to keep everything as normal as possible. It’s obvious this person knows where you live and where you work. They also know you’re in contact with the police, so short of going underground, which Zoey has already said you won’t do, the next best thing is to continue as normal and hope this guy makes a mistake.”
I suck in a deep breath, letting it out slowly as the detective’s words turn over in my head. Deep down I know he’s probably right, it’s just something I don’t want to admit to him right now. Because even though it does feel as though they are using Zoey as bait, every second that this guy is out there, watching us, waiting for an opportunity to do something, to take Zoey from me again, scares the fucking shit out of me. I need this to end, and I need it to happen soon.
“Look, you’ve got security now and that’s a good thing,” Detective Simmons continues. “I’d recommend you keep Eric with you at all times, Zoey and make sure you’re always vigilant. Don’t go anywhere alone. Sooner or later we will get this guy and it will all be over.”
“I know,” Zoey says, smiling and being far more understanding than I am. “Thank you, Detective, I appreciate it.”
“Of course,” he replies, smiling as he shakes her hand. “Mr. Morrison,” he adds, turning to me.
“Detective,” I respond, with a nod.
He gives me a tight smile, clearly sensing my anger and frustration before turning to speak with Eric. While they do, I cup Zoey’s face in my hands and give her a quick once over, looking for any sign that she’s hurt.
“I’m okay, Ethan,” she says, chuckling a little because she knows what I’m doing.
“Are you though?”
She laughs again, but it’s without humor as she rolls her eyes. “Well, I mean I’m mad as hell,” she says. “The day at the spa was just what I needed and then this fucker goes and ruins in, but yes, I am physically okay, I promise.”
I nod, desperate to believe her as I lean in and press a soft kiss to her lips. “Let’s go home, yeah?”
“Yes. We’re still having dinner with Brandon and Tracy, right?”
“No, I think we should—”
“Have them over for dinner like we planned,” Zoey says, cutting me off. I give her a look that says I don’t agree, but she shakes her head at me, clearly not buying it. “We aren’t letting this asshole win, Ethan. I will not let him mess up our lives.” She stops, waiting for me to acknowledge what she’s said. When she cocks an impatient brow at me, I roll my eyes playfully and agree. “Good,” she continues, smiling. “Now, let’s take John Cena and go home.”
By the time Tracy and Brandon arrive, I’ve managed to calm down, in part because we are back at home and behind the fortress I’ve turned this place into and in part because I’ve also had a shower and a double shot of whiskey.
“Hey, Zoey,” Brandon says, as he walks into the kitchen. “You doing okay?” he asks, as he pulls her into a warm embrace. I’d been with him at his house when Delaney had texted to tell me about the phone calls and the trip to the police station.
“I’m all good, Brandon. Thank you. How did the suit shopping go?”
He smiles as he glances at me and then turns back to Zoey. “Very productive actually,” he says, grinning. “In more ways than one.”
“Oh?” Zoey asks, glancing at me with a curious expression on her face.
“Indeed,” Brandon replies as Tracy smacks his arm.
