The week had flown by, and I was having a hard time concentrating on the code in front of me. All I could think about was my dad arriving the next day—and we still hadn’t found my stalker. Sam repeatedly told me to let my dad know I was in danger. But if I told Dad about the stalker, I would also have the royal guards watching my ass. I already had way too many babysitters.

The problem was Dad would definitely find out about the stalker on his own. He would go off on me for a few days about how irresponsible I was being and insist I return to Shialia with him. At least Sam would be there to back me up on the not-moving part. I hope.

The stalker had upped his email game to sending me one every day. We had everyone working to figure out who he was. I hadn’t told anyone, but I was scared out of my mind. When Sam stopped by the store to pick up supplies, I snuck in and bought a burner phone to stick in my theft-proof purse that wrapped around my waist, in case something went wrong.

Jessica was getting more freaked out also as each email got a little creepier than the one before. Sam tried locking me out of my account so I wouldn’t see what the creep sent me. I needed to know, though. Maybe I could figure something out. It was like a drug.

After opening the last email, I wished I’d listened to Sam. The stalker had gone to a new level.

From: B. Waterville

Sent: Friday, April 21, 2017

To: Patty Beckett

Subject: I can’t stop thinking about the old days.

My Dearest Patty,

Why do you keep going against my will? I asked you to stop seeing that abusive man you seem to have attached yourself to. I really didn’t want to expose you to the tabloids. But I thought if you saw how the world would see him, you would leave him.

You know we are meant to be together. My plan is coming together. It will only be a few more days, and we will be united forever.

Your one and only,

Waterville

Even though the tabloid story had died down a little, I was worried what my dad would say when he found out that my identity had been leaked to the world. I pulled up the news station on my computer to see if the police had somehow found the fucker. The only thing on the front cover was a story about a missing kid. There were no news updates, which brought back the feeling of dread.

Everyone was at Blackwood, working on my case, except John, who was stuck babysitting me for the day. Since my identity was out in the open, I’d been working at Black Hat Security for the past week. I’d pretty much taken over Neal’s office. The view from Neal’s office on the twenty-seventh floor overlooked downtown. I could see the ocean off in the distance to the east.

The security in the building was extremely high tech, and even though Neal had given Sam and his team access to the video feed, Sam had made me promise that morning that I would text him every hour. Once I finished sending the text, I tried to concentrate on the code in front of me again.

Neal wanted me to get more acquainted with working at Black Hat. So, I was running the show while he worked with Brock. Once again, the alpha Doms were making the decisions without my two cents.

When Neal’s desk phone rang, it startled me. “Hello?”

“How’s my pixie doing?”

I wanted to break down and say, “Come get me. I need you.” All the things going on were starting to be too much. Being cooped up was one of the things I hated the most. That was why I never wanted to live in Shialia.

Instead, I put on my big-girl panties. Well, figuratively, since Sam liked me to wear those things that have no material to them. It might have been more comfortable to wear no underwear than the thin piece of string he liked. “Fine. Working on some code and taking over Neal’s office. How are things going for you? You know I have skills that can help.” I wished they would let me be there. I was close to calling a cab and going to Sam’s office. I would need to ditch the bodyguard outside the office door, though.

“We have no new leads. You’re too close to the case, and I don’t want it getting you more upset. We have Neal here, helping us. I have some exciting news.”

With everything going on, I was ready for any information that wasn’t depressing. It seemed like only horrible news had been delivered lately. I felt like dyeing my hair black to match my mood. “What’s the good news?”

“I will be there around five to pick you up. We’re going out to eat at Roy’s and then spending the night in the club.” Sam knew Roy’s always put me in a positive mood.

“You had me at Roy’s, then you added the club. Are we going to play, or are you going to keep making me watch, and then we go back upstairs?”

I’d spent the last few months learning everything I could about the lifestyle. For some reason, Sam would never play with me at the club. I was getting self-conscious, thinking he was embarrassed by me. He kept saying he didn’t want to share our sessions with others.

“No, I think it’s time we play. I ordered some new toys I want to try tonight. Then we can relax and enjoy our last night together before your father gets here tomorrow.”

“How about you bring those toys over to Neal’s office now, and we can try them out. I don’t want to sit here until five, waiting. Please come rescue me. I’m so done with working for the day.”

“It’s only a few hours. Don’t leave that office. I will be watching you. We still don’t know when he will strike. His last email said it would be tomorrow. I don’t want to take a chance.”

“Fine, I will sit here and run my company while you guys have all the fun.”

Sam chuckled on the other end. “Bye, my pixie.”

“Bye.”

I sat at Neal’s desk for a couple more hours, playing with his True Genius puzzles. I told myself I would spend the rest of my time figuring out the simple problem, but a new idea came to mind.

Just because Sam said to stay put didn’t mean I had to. Last time I checked, I was an adult who could make her own choices. Maybe if I looped the camera in the office, I could use Neal’s private entrance to run across the street and grab a bite to eat. Nobody would see me go, and I would fix the cameras when I got back.

I tried to use my username to access the cameras and received a not-authorized prompt on the screen. Using Neal’s ID, I was able to log into the program. I put all the cameras in Neal’s office, the back elevator, and my exit on an hour loop. No one would be able to tell I was gone without looking really closely. If I wasn’t back in an hour, then they might think something was up.

I tiptoed toward Neal’s door and looked out, hoping John hadn’t heard the click on the other side. I also wanted to make sure no one walked in. I had all my bases covered, except for the monitor on Neal’s elevator. Shit… it might be easier to take the stairs.

I then put all the cameras in the back stairwell on a loop. This is a lot of work for some Reese’s chocolate dessert and a sandwich.

Really, I was tired of having someone on my butt every waking minute, and I wanted fresh air. I grabbed my purse and left my regular cell phone behind. I also added a timed text to send to Sam every hour in case I stayed at the shop a little longer.

If something happened, I had my burner phone on me. I also had a feeling they were watching the signal on my iPhone.

As I opened the door at the back of Neal’s office, I held my breath, hoping no alarm would go off. I was relieved when nothing sounded. Slowly, I walked down the stairs. That would be the biggest challenge—I was on the twenty-seventh floor. Maybe I should have taken the elevator. When I tried the door to get back into Neal’s office, it was locked. Well, that sucks.

Twenty minutes later, I was finally exiting the building. I’d learned a couple of things on the long-ass walk down the stairs. For someone who’s being stalked, the stairs are as creepy as they seem in the movies. Also, I needed to cut back on the Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups and work out more. Well, I will cut down on the creamy, delicious morsel as soon as I have one more chocolate treat from the deli across the street.

The line at the deli was short, but I still wasn’t ready to head back to work. I was sure my camera loop would still have everyone fooled.

It felt good to be alone for a second. I was still scared, but the amazing sandwich I ordered was sure to relieve all the stress I’d been feeling lately. It was the daily special: an Italian club on cheddar bread. The lunch was taking away the stress of the day. If the sandwich didn’t fix my issues, chocolate cake with Reese’s inside it surely would. To finish off the meal, I had a cup of hot cocoa.

While enjoying the hot cocoa, I was trying to place the man behind the counter. He kept his head down when he was making my drink. I knew I recognized him from somewhere. I couldn’t place it. When I get back to Neal’s office, I’ll hack the cameras and do facial recognition on him.

Too many calories later, I was ready to head back in and start doing some work. I knew the door to Neal’s office was locked, so I decided to take the elevator back up. Not sure if it was from the carb overload, but I started to feel extremely drowsy. I needed to make it back to the elevator and up to Neal’s office. My feet started to stumble as I made my way across the busy street.

When I made it back to the building, I contemplated how to get back up. I chose the elevator. They would know I’d left, but since I was back to the building, I didn’t think Sam would be too mad. I’d made it back unharmed, maybe really tired and feeling a little drunk, but nobody had kidnapped me. Why would the guy kidnap me in broad daylight, where everyone could see? Those boys need to stop being so paranoid and let me live a little. I’d proved I was able to go out for lunch by myself.

I walked into the corridor leading to Neal’s parking spot, which was next to the elevator to his office. At least the stairs had led to the street. The parking garage added an extra layer of scariness.

I almost felt like I was in a horror movie, about to be kidnapped. Everyone talking about the stalker was getting me a little too paranoid. I clicked the button for the elevator to come get me. As the numbers slowly counted down, I concentrated on not falling asleep. Not paying attention to my surroundings and watching the ridiculous numbers go down, I didn’t hear the person walking up behind me before he stuck me with a needle. Before I had time to scream or finish my last thought, the lights went out.