Sarah left the grocery store and parked at the library, planning to stay only long enough to check her email. She took a seat at a computer and opened the first of two messages from Anne.
Sarah,
I know this email I forwarded from the stalker is going to upset you. It scared the crap out of me. He’s sick. Truly sick. But we already knew that.
Don’t worry about me. I’m keeping a close eye on everything, and he hasn’t tried to communicate with Maddie or me. We both have alarm systems. Tell me a time when you can get to a computer, and I’ll go to the library. We can chat through the public ones. Or call me on the throwaway phone if you’d rather. I hope you are safe wherever you are.
A cloak of dread suffocated Sarah’s lungs. Her hand shook as she brought up the stalker’s message.
Dear Sarah,
It’s been over a week since you left. I’m disappointed that you continue to listen to other people and follow their advice. All of them underestimate my resources and what lengths I will go to for us to be together. Nothing is more important.
The red herring that led to Seattle cost me considerable money to chase down, but it doesn’t matter. I have plenty. The credit card charges showing up all over the country might have fooled someone less savvy. My source informed me about your abandoned car as well. None of these tricks will work. You are wasting our precious time letting others influence you. I know that all you want is to be with me.
You must learn there are consequences for following other people’s advice. Your sisters might need a lesson for meddling in our relationship.
You’re the one. The true one. And you need to come back. As I told you at your apartment, I have eyes everywhere. I’m watching to see what you will do. If you don’t declare our love and return on your own, I will bring you back. Time away from those who seek to keep us apart is all you need.
Come back.
Blood rushed through her body, and a small moan escaped. The librarian looked at Sarah. She placed a hand on the side of her head to hide her face. The sick bastard would never stop, and now Maddie and Anne could be in danger. Alec had warned her some stalkers used all their resources and refused to give up. But she’d hoped and prayed hers would be the type to get frustrated and move on. Guess not.
She glanced around the room. He could be watching her right now. No, that wasn’t logical. He’d never know if or when she’d show up at the library.
A sharp pain throbbed in her forehead. She’d never had headaches until now.
Maybe she should stop conversing with her sisters. The crazed maniac blamed them for her leaving. He’d sent pictures of Anne and Maddie, which meant he at least watched them. And they might have alarm systems, but he’d found a way past hers.
The security system that never went off…the surveillance cameras destroyed…She squeezed her eyes shut tight and failed to stop the memory of the time he’d attacked her.
She had been in the shower when a noise had come from the bedroom. She’d slammed her palm against the valve and shut off the water.
The floorboards in the bedroom squeaked. He’d found a way in, even with all her precautions. Her heart beat triple time. She ripped the shower curtain across the track, raced to the door, and turned the lock on the knob.
The new alarm system should have gone off. With no window, she couldn’t escape or yell for help, and she’d left her phone in the bedroom. Her legs shook. She steeled her nerves and scanned the room for anything to use as a weapon. Nothing but a pink disposable razor and a hand mirror.
A shadow appeared under the door.
She gripped the knob tightly with both hands.
“Sarah?” A muffled, male voice spoke from the other side over the noise of the fan. “What are you doing here? I don’t like surprises. My records show you should be at the dance studio until nine tonight. Nine, nine, nine.”
He punctuated the words with three hard knocks.
She flinched at each rap.
It made no sense to talk to him. The man was insane. Alec had said not to communicate with the stalker.
His voice, frayed with madness, sounded through the door. “This is not what I had planned. I came to leave proof of my devotion, but you made me hurry. Now I’m not sure it’s done perfectly.”
What was he talking about?
“I wish you’d take my phone calls. You know we’re meant to be together.”
When she didn’t answer, his footsteps moved away from the door. She snatched her robe from the hook, shoved her arms through the sleeves, and cinched the belt.
A smash came from the bedroom followed by heavy bangs. She cringed and bit her lip. Her pulse pounded under her jaw.
His voice came close again. “These mini-cams won’t work anymore.”
A piece of plastic shot under the door and ricocheted off her foot. She jumped and stifled a scream. He’d found the surveillance cameras. Damn. Now she’d never see what he looked like.
“You may not know a lot about technology, but I do, and these are as cheap as they come. Another lame attempt from the incompetent cops, I assume.”
Her head ached. Maybe she could fake him out. She pretended to dial 911. “I’m calling the police.”
“Finally. You’re talking to me. I’ve waited so long to hear your voice again—”
“Hello? I need help. A man broke into my apartment, and he’s threatening me.” She prayed he’d believe the act.
“Why are you calling the cops? You know I’m much smarter than they are. I can hack into any system. In less than five seconds, I flushed out their pitiful attempt to lure me to that fake meeting with you last month. And the alarm here? A joke. I’m the only one who can keep you safe.”
His shadow under the door disappeared. More sounds of destruction came from the other room.
As a dancer, she had strength and agility on her side. But small in stature, she’d have a tough time overpowering a grown man, even with what she’d learned from her self-defense classes. She needed a weapon.
She yanked open the top drawer of the vanity and rifled through the contents. A hairbrush, scrunchies, and a pack of bobby pins. Her gaze traveled to the hand mirror on the counter. She seized the handle and smashed the face against the sink. Glass shot through the air and landed around her bare feet.
Shit.
She grabbed a towel to pick up a jagged piece.
The man returned and spoke in a calmer voice. “No one understands me but you. I’m the one you love. Only me. Remember that. You don’t want to end up like Audrey.”
Sarah’s mouth went dry. Whatever had happened to Audrey, whoever she was, didn’t sound good. Sarah had to scare him into leaving. “The cops are on their way.”
“I’m disappointed that you called them. I’m going, but don’t forget, I have eyes everywhere. Someone is always watching you.”
Bile rose in her throat and she gagged. Had he found other people to spy on her too?
“This is my last warning. Accept our love, or you’ll face the consequences. If I can’t have you, no one will.”
Her knees buckled. The lunatic meant to kill her. He’d taken his obsession to a whole new level.
The bedroom fell quiet. Maybe he’d left. She waited several agonizing minutes. Sweat poured down her forehead into her eyes. She took a deep breath, held the shard up, and eased the door open a few inches.
The man’s hand snaked in and grabbed the edge of the door.
She had gasped and thrown her shoulder against it to trap his forearm, slashing him with the piece of broken mirror from his wrist to his index finger. Her stomach had roiled as she pressed deep and hit bone.
Someone touched her shoulder. “Are you okay?”
Sarah opened her eyes and blinked at the blurry bookshelves in front of her. When they came back into focus, she glanced around at the people staring at her from their tables. Her chest ached and sweat chilled her numb body. She had to get out of the public library before she made more of a scene and drew attention. Someone might remember her.
“You look confused. Do you need assistance?” The librarian gently patted Sarah’s shoulder.
“N-no. I’m okay.”
“Are you sure?”
God, she couldn’t breathe, let alone talk. With a nod, she shoved to her feet, grabbed her purse, and hurried to the exit. As soon as she was outside, she stumbled to the truck. She climbed in and put a hand on her ribs.
Her lungs screamed for air.
White spots appeared before her eyes.
Until her vision cleared, she couldn’t drive anywhere. She forced herself to take a deep breath and blow it out slowly. The pins of light faded. She repeated it three times, and the crazy pounding in her chest subsided. Leaning her head back against the rest, she swallowed and waited for her body to settle down.
She started the engine and drove back to the farm, praying she wouldn’t run into anyone right away. Her nightmare hadn’t ended with her disappearance. Now that he hunted her, she had to figure out a way to stay alive.