Chapter 7 Hael
Hael
My stalker’s name remains a mystery. Of all the things I wanted to learn tonight, his identity was top of the list. Galen might have given the green light on this mystery Daddy, but that doesn’t mean the concern has lessened.
“Ask me another,” he says.
We’ve been going back and forth with questions for so long that I’ve gotten comfortable in bed and have forgotten my nakedness more times than not. My only reminder is when I make a move that causes him to groan with his desire for me.
“Favorite scary movie?” I’ve already learned he’s both a night owl and a morning person, not getting nearly enough sleep.
He’s a self-made man in the security industry.
I’ve guessed that he’s at least twice my age.
He hates any kind of pepper, played guitar in a band as a teenager, and finds true crime as relaxing as I do.
When he does sleep, he prefers pitch-blackness to avoid being disturbed.
His staff fears him because he has an explosive temper, but never violent. That one was important to me.
“Not a scary movie fan. All that death for some masked psycho, not for me.” I don’t miss the irony here. “I do, however, enjoy thrillers and action films.”
“Okay, so what’s your fave?”
“Rambo.” Biting my lip to hide my smile, I’m not shocked at his response. “I already know you don’t like scary movies, sweet pea, so what about just a favorite movie?”
Tongue in cheek, I fight to stifle my laughter while replying, “The live-action Beauty and the Beast.” When he curses and groans, I can’t hold back anymore.
“So, you enjoy the idea of being my captive.” He shakes his head as I bury my face in my pillow, a chill working up my spine. “Are you cold?” He notices and sits forward, as if he can reach me through the phone.
“A little.” Not enough to want to move.
“Put your blanket on. I’ll have plenty of nights to stare at your alluring body.” He’s so damn sweet and doesn’t realize how much because his focus is on making himself out to be the bad guy.
“Yes, Daddy.” My nipples pebble when he tenses up, the veins in his arms, neck, and hands bulging as he restrains himself while I cover myself with the duvet. Snuggling deeper into bed, sleepiness starts creeping in, but I don’t want to hang up with my Daddy.
“You’re looking tired, sweet pea.” The softness in his tone is like a caress, and I imagine his fingers brushing along my body as he lulls me to sleep.
“Am not.” Even I can hear the slur in the two small words as my eyes grow heavier.
“I’m going to hang up, sweet pea. You need your rest.”
My eyes pop open wide. “No, Daddy, please stay with me.” When I pout, it appears like he’s wavering.
“Fine, until you fall asleep.” The amusement in his voice is sexy; he doesn’t sound so angry.
I float between sleep and awake, registering a door opening but know it isn’t mine when I hear, “Austin River is on the line and demanding to speak with you. Something about your revenge going too far.” Swallowing past the lump in my throat, I remain still, feeling his eyes on me. Waiting for a reaction, I suppose.
I’ve spent many years learning to conceal my thoughts from my expressive face, so I’m sure he’ll believe I’m simply asleep. When he hangs up a few minutes later, I drag the blanket over my head and silently cry until my body is too exhausted to remain awake.
Of course, he was too good to be true. I’m just another pawn in my father’s life, only this time, I’m being used against him.
Waking up and glancing at the flowers across from me through blurry eyes, I blink back the tears still lingering as my heart hurts. The flowers had excited me so much, but now I’m wondering… Am I a part of some revenge plot? How does this man even know my father?
Should my father even answer the phone if I were to call, I know I wouldn’t get the truth from him.
I never do. He’s spent more years lying to me than I care to recall.
From the time of my mother’s death until being shipped off to college, he’s never been truthful about my mom’s accident.
I saw the police reports when I turned eighteen.
She didn’t lose control of her car; someone ran her off the road and into the side of a mountain in Colorado.
He refused to speak about it when confronted, and I’ve been forced to learn to live with the reality. My mother was murdered, the killer never found, and there is no peace when I visit her grave here in Las Vegas, her birthplace. It’s why I chose this city to attend college.
Light from outside shines brightly into the room as I remember my stalker said he planned to leave breakfast for me. My stomach chooses that moment to grumble. Tossing the blanket off and sitting on the side of the bed, I glare down at my ridiculous clothing, questioning my sanity.
My phone is on the floor, screen side down, and as I bend over to pick it up, it vibrates in my hand. Flipping it over, the screen lights up with messages from Piper and him. The hurt and anger force me to ignore his and open Piper’s message instead.
Pipe: Halloween party next week! What are you dressing up as?
Me: What are you talking about?
Bubbles float across the screen, disappearing before popping up again.
Pipe: He’s throwing a big party to show you off and claim you. Didn’t he tell you?
Me: No. And I don’t care. I’m not going. Showering now.
Shutting down the device before she can call me, I rip off the lingerie that I loved only yesterday and storm into the bathroom, slamming the door shut behind me. He may have cameras in here, but I don’t care.
Turning on the water as hot as I can stand it, I wait until it’s steamy before stepping under the spray.
The tears flow quickly, and the sobbing wracks my body so violently that I sit on the floor to avoid falling over and crashing through the glass door.
My heart screams for mercy because I had convinced myself that a life with him could work out.
We could be something special, and I would be important to him.
Everything is bleak now. All the hopes and dreams of a happy future flood away, and all that’s left is loneliness.
I mutter to myself, “Come on, Hael, get your shit together,” hoping to pull myself out of this stupid funk.
I was just fine before my stalker appeared, and I’ll be just as fine once he’s gone.
As soon as he realizes I’ve caught on to his plan and mean nothing to my father, he’ll leave me alone, and I can return to my life.