The next morning Kean dropped me off at work with strict instructions not to leave the office unless I notified him where I was going. I was bothered by his request but since I had pitched a fit over his original plan, which was to leave Thad with me as an acting bodyguard, I half-heartedly agreed.

I wasn’t ungrateful. I appreciated Kean’s concern but at the same time it made the situation so much worse by feeding my paranoia. Adding Thad to the mix would draw too much attention and I was trying to lay low. I couldn’t stop constantly checking my surroundings, doing double takes thinking I had seen something when there was nothing. I was seeing shadows move in corners that didn’t exist and freaking myself out. I figured if I could become one with the shadows, I wouldn’t be noticed.

The night before, Thad had returned to Kean’s hauling an overnight bag from my apartment. He informed us both he was able to retrieve the chocolates and was having someone run fingerprints off the box they were packaged in. They were also testing to verify the candies had been laced with diazepam but it would take at least twenty-four hours before those results were in.

He also found a note. It had been taped under the plastic liner that held the candy. Not a place I would have looked but I don’t think it was meant for me. More than likely it was meant for after they found my body. I was immediately curious what the note said but both Kean and Thad refused to tell me.

After listening to what information Thad did share, I took a hot shower, threw on one of Kean’s t-shirts and crawled into bed where I crashed. The next thing I knew, it was morning and an already dressed Kean was waking me up. Unfortunately, it was much later than my normal time and caused me to rush as I threw on clothes for work. Out of irritation I snapped at Kean and promptly felt like shit when he explained he was trying to allow extra time for me to rest.

Then we got into another heated discussion when I told him I wouldn’t be returning to his place after work. My plan was to take an Uber to the hospital to see Brenda and return to my apartment afterwards. Kean had absolutely hated and refused the idea. He was determined to keep an eye on me at all times, which I hated. I was frustrated and on edge.

For the first time in my life, I felt like I was dependent upon another individual for my safety. I’ve always taken pride in my strong woman persona and wasn’t used to someone coming to my rescue. I also didn’t want fear to be the basis of my relationship with Kean. If we were doing this, then it would be based on our feelings for each other not that I was scared to be without him or that I needed him to protect me.

Sitting at my desk I glanced at the vase of white roses standing against the partition separating my work area from Brenda’s.

A wave of guilt swept through me.

Brenda didn’t deserve what had happened to her. It was my fault. I should have warned her not to accept or open any packages that were delivered for me. It was tricky because she had seen the roses on my desk. The single blossom on top of the candy box made it seem like it was from Kean. I hoped she could forgive me for dragging her into my drama.

“Ciaran.” At the sound of my name, I yelped.

Spinning around in my chair, I almost kicked Stuart who was standing right behind me. “Stuart, you scared me.”

He crossed his arms. “Have you heard anything about Brenda?”

“Kean called the hospital this morning to check on her status. She was doing better. They are going to keep her a couple of more days for observation. I’m planning on going to see her this evening after work.”

Stuart looked over my head and out the window before refocusing his blue eyes on my face. “How long have you been sleeping with Kean?”

The cranky side of me wanted to snap at him that it wasn’t any of his business but the overwhelming guilt I was feeling came out. “A couple of weeks. I’m sorry, Stuart. I didn’t mean to hurt you. It just sort of happened.”

His color started to pale. “Is it serious?”

“I get the feeling it is. Honestly, we haven’t really discussed it in great detail.”

Stuart absentmindedly nodded. “I stopped by to see if you wanted to grab dinner tonight? We need to go over our assignments before Monday’s final print is due.”

“Tonight’s not good. What about grabbing lunch now?” I asked, trying to make eye contact with him. It wasn’t working. He kept his gaze focused on the scenery outside.

“I can’t right now. I have a meeting in five minutes, then an errand to run. It has to be tonight.”

“Stuart, I’m planning on seeing Brenda tonight. How about tomorrow afternoon?”

“That won’t work. I’m flying out tomorrow morning and won’t be back until late Sunday. The only time I can get with you would be tonight. Tell you what, we can make it an early dinner and you can see Brenda after. I would hate to tell Shawna you couldn’t fit it into your schedule, especially since you never turned in a draft to begin with.”

I sighed. I was getting sick and tired of everyone telling me what to do.

“No, Stuart. That’s not going to work. I already made plans to see Brenda. Sorry.” I shrugged.

An awkward silence filled the small cubby area as Stuart finally met my glare and we stared each other down. I wasn’t sure what he was waiting for but I wasn’t about to look away first.

He blinked once, breaking the connection and walked off without another word.

I slumped back into my desk chair.

Hopefully, the man had finally gotten the hint.

……………………..

 

My phone chirped with an incoming text message. Looking at the screen, I was shocked to see it was already past seven. I had been staring at my computer screen for hours while I tried to figure out a way to rewrite my article.

Tapping my phone, I opened my text messages and smiled at Kean’s lit up name.

Kean: You were supposed to let me know when you left the building.

I groaned and typed a message back.

Me: I know but I haven’t exactly left the building yet. I was working on my assignment and lost track of time. I am getting ready to leave for the hospital.

The phone chirped immediately.

Kean: I can pick you up. I’m not too far away. Are you ready to go now?

Of course, he wasn’t too far. With his overbearing protectiveness, I wouldn’t be surprised if he was already waiting at the curb.

Me: You don’t need to come get me. I scheduled an Uber. It should already be outside.

I couldn’t believe I just lied to the man I cared about in a text when all he was trying to do was protect me. It was like another one of those defense mechanisms that I couldn’t control. My mind was determined to be independent.

When Kean didn’t immediately text back, I grabbed my purse, and took an elevator down to the building lobby. As soon as I stepped off the elevator I scheduled an Uber.

“Ms. Thompson, late night for you. Do you need an escort to your car?” Victor, the building’s nighttime security guard, was standing off to the side of the front information desk.

I tossed my phone into my bag and grinned at the older man. “No, but thank you. I ordered an Uber. It should be here shortly.”

“No problem, Ms. Thompson. You have a nice night.” He patted to my arm and walked off to do his rounds.

Knowing the Uber shouldn’t take too long, I stepped outside the doors of the building and into the warm night air where I took a deep breath. I loved nights like these where the sky was clear.

I walked down the front of the building closer towards the street to look for my Uber when a hand clasped my shoulder from behind.

I was mid-scream until Stuart stepped in front of me.

“Holy shit, Stuart. What the fuck?”

“Nice language, Ciaran. I thought you were going to see Brenda,” he said.

Leaning forward he aimed to kiss my lips but I turned my head at the last minute causing his mouth to land sloppily on my cheek.

I rocked back on my heels to put space between us. “I was. I mean I am. Now. I was putting the final touches on my article and lost track of time. I have an Uber on its way.”

“I can drive you to the hospital, it’s not a problem. Then we can talk on the way. Hey, maybe we can stop to grab something to eat? I know a great Indian food place.”

“Stuart, I’ve already logged in my Uber. In fact, I should probably move closer to the front doors so he doesn’t miss me.” I gave him a closed lip smile and turned, giving him my back.

Stuart’s hand once again closed over my shoulder.

“Ciaran, I’ll drive you. Besides, you need to eat.”

“I already told you I’m planning on going to the hospital to see Brenda. I don’t have time for a lengthy dinner.”

“You don’t want to date me now, is that it?” he hissed.

I turned to face him. “What the hell are you talking about? We aren’t dating. We were never really dating. We went to dinner twice. That was it.”

“Two people who are attracted to each other having dinner together is definitely a date, Ciaran. What about the kiss we shared. I know you were into it.”

“No, I wasn’t, but that’s beside the point. I’m involved with Kean, so please refrain from making our friendship into something it’s not.”

Stuart’s eyes clouded as anger twisted his features.

I opened my mouth to demand him to release my shoulder when he dropped his grip to my bicep and tugged hard. With his hand painfully wrapped around my arm, he dragged me through the dark parking lot where only a handful of empty cars were left.

“Stuart, let go. You’re hurting me.”

“Ciaran, shut up.”

Flailing next to him, I tried to free myself but Stuart picked up his pace as he marched us both to where his truck was parked.

“Stuart, stop. Let go.” I demanded as he shoved me up against the driver’s side door. He pinned me to it with his chest.

“Why are you acting like this?” I asked.

It was apparent he was extremely angry but I was having difficulty deciphering his behavior. There was a cruelty reflecting in his eyes that wasn’t normal for him. A cruelty I couldn’t comprehend.

This was Stuart. Nice, predictable Stuart.

“Stop complaining, Ciaran. This is all your fault. See what happens when you spread your legs for that asshole. You suddenly think you’re too good for me. Well, I’m about to make myself so memorable every time you fuck him you’ll have no other choice but to think of me.”

This wasn’t the Stuart I knew. His words were so ugly, I began to cry. “Stuart, please. Please let me go.”

Fisting his hand in the hair at the back of my neck, he yanked my head with a jerk. His mouth crushed hard against mine while his other hand shoved my skirt up to my hips. I bucked wildly against him but he responded by jerking my hair again causing the back of my head to slam against the metal of the truck door. Pain throbbed behind my eyes.

I responded with the first defensive maneuver that popped into my head. I bit down on his lip with my teeth. He grunted and yanked his head back allowing me to open my mouth to scream. It would have worked had he not caught on to what I was about to do. He slapped a hand over my mouth with enough force that my teeth punctured my lower lip. The bitter taste of blood seeped onto my tongue.

Tears streamed down my cheeks as my dragged out “No,” mixed with a muffled groan.

Stuart released a laugh that a psychopath would be proud of and cupped a hand between my legs.

Again, I tried to scream but it couldn’t be heard. Relying on my teeth for the second time, I repeated my earlier action and caught a chunk of skin pressed over my mouth.

Stuart let go of me altogether and jumped back. “Now, now, Ciaran. That was a stupid move,” he said as he examined his hand.

I took advantage of his distraction by bolting around him but I wasn’t quick enough. A heavy force from behind my back slammed into me, sending me flying face-first onto the asphalt. I gasped in agony as my left cheek bounced off the ground. As I sucked in a breath, I was flipped onto my back.

The twisted smile that Stuart wore as he crawled over me looked like pure evil. Reaching under my dress, his hand ripped my underwear away from my body with a single jerk.

“No, Stuart. Please stop. Please don’t do this,” I cried, shaking my head back and forth.

My begging earned zero hesitation from the man who was about to rape me.

“Ciaran, if you would stop fighting me, you might actually enjoy this,” he said, right before he shoved his tongue into my mouth.

I arched my body underneath him twisting my head away to try and buck him off but he was too heavy. I was too weak. I screamed for help but I was crying so much it came out gurgled.

Suddenly the weight of Stuart’s body vanished from on top of mine.

Choking on a mixture of spit, blood and snot, I pushed myself up into a sitting position. I swiped at my tears and blinked rapidly as I focused on the scene on the ground in front of me. A man in a dress shirt was sitting on top of Stuart and pounding into him repeatedly with his fists.

Kean.

Over the unforgettable sound of flesh hitting flesh, I heard whimpers from Stuart while anger radiated off of Kean in waves. I had to stop Kean. I was almost ninety-nine percent positive he was going to kill Stuart if I didn’t.

“Kean.” It came out as a whispered cry but had the effect of a bullet from a gun.

With his fist raised, Kean turned and looked at me over his shoulder. His expression was stone hard as his eyes examined my bruised and bloodied face.

“Please, Kean,” I begged, reaching out for him with both hands.

He stood, leaving an unconscious Stuart on the ground, and walked over to where I was crying. He squatted, wrapped his arms around my trembling frame, and pulled me up.

“It’s okay, Ciaran. I’ve got you. You’re safe.”

Safe.

The word vibrated in my head.

I was safe.

Kean had found me and I was safe.