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“You’re hard-headed as hell, but I’ll let it slide for now. We have to figure out who left the creepy present for you.”
Unease ghosted over me and a thought just out of reach tugged at my mind. Although I was being ridiculous, I decided to text Sebastian.
I pulled my phone out of my clutch, realizing I was still in my dress and heels. My fingers flew over the keyboard as I messaged him.
Me:
Crazy question, since we only had our first date tonight … but you didn’t happen to leave a gift for me?
I set the cell on the counter. “I’m going to change into something more comfortable. I’ll also pay to have your dress cleaned. We danced in the rain on the rooftop of the restaurant, and we were both soaked. It wasn’t long after that when you called me.” I offered her a sad smile.
“Jesus, that sounds romantic as hell. I hope it’s not him breaking into your home, Ella. I really do.”
“That makes two of us.” I took my drink and phone, heading into my bedroom. A soothing hot shower would have to wait. I was too exhausted and mentally wrung out. “I’m going to call it a night.”
“Sounds good. I know the way to the guest room.” She smiled and gave me a little wave goodnight.
Once I changed into my comfy pajamas, my cell chimed with a message. Picking it up from my nightstand, I stared at Sebastian’s text.
Sebastian:
I wish I’d thought to send you something to make you feel better since your father is in the hospital, but I didn’t.
Me:
I appreciate the thought. I’ll see you in the a.m.
It would have been super easy for Sebastian to lie to me about the lingerie, but something in my gut said it wasn’t him. I chewed on my thumbnail, then hopped online to see if Shadow Whisperer had messaged me.
I wiggled the mouse, and my computer lit up. After I logged in to the website, my mouth dropped at the number of notifications. Two hundred and eight, and they were all from Shadow Whisperer. I clicked each one, reading the short messages.
Where are you?
Why aren’t you working tonight?
It’s your night to work. I want to talk.
Are you out spending my money?
Ella! Yeah, I know your real name. Are you out fucking other guys on me? That’s the wrong thing to do.
You’re such a slut, Ella. I paid you. You’re supposed to be here with me. You owe me, bitch.
Where are you? Are you being a little cum whore with someone’s cock in your cunt?
You’re really pissing me off. Where the fuck are you?
With each message I read, he grew angrier, bordering on desperate.
I gripped the back of my neck, anxiety coursing through me. The messages confirmed what I was worried about. There was no doubt that Shadow Whisperer was my stalker. For a moment, I put myself in his position. We’d talked for over a year, and he’d watched every video I’d posted. It would be easy for him to build me up in his mind, shaping the idea of what he needed me to be, while reality painted a different picture.
With my job, I’d spent a lot of time around unhinged men, and I’d always been attracted to the bad boys. They didn’t scare me. I massaged my forehead, a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions pumping through my mind. Maybe I could breathe a little easier since I knew it was him. Shadow Whisperer had a temper, but when it came down to it, I hoped like hell he wouldn’t hurt me.
I groaned and slapped my hands over my face, wondering what the hell was wrong with me for not being terrified out of my mind. Most women would be, but with my job and the clients my bosses represented, I had spent time with some shady characters—murderers, thieves, drug deals, and worse. My arms dropped to my sides as I read the messages again, more irritated than scared.
“I’m so damn stupid. If I hadn’t agreed to his money and to meet him, none of this would be happening. Now I have an obsessed stalker,” I said aloud.
Standing, I closed my laptop before I sank onto the edge of my bed, numb from all of the emotional turmoil that was like a roller coaster with sharp turns and steep drops, unpredictable and intense.
