66. Delaney
CHAPTER 66
Delaney
I t’s Thursday, and I’m inside the bookstore again. I haven’t read all the books I bought, but I’m feeling lonely so here I am.
After spending money on groceries, I put the rest of the funds the masked man gave me into my bank account. I can only use a week of family sick leave, so I’m no longer earning my meager salary.
I shouldn’t be in here. It’s too tempting to spend money.
Biting my lip, I pull my phone from my back pocket and open my banking app. I brace myself for the dwindling amount in my checking account.
I blink a few times, staring at my phone in disbelief.
There has to be some mistake.
I look at the checking account balance again, reading the number slowly. I click on the account to look at the details, thinking they mistakenly deposited someone else’s money into my account.
How the hell was a $10,000 deposit made to my account yesterday?
A text pops up on my screen from MM, short for Michael Myers.
MM: You’re welcome.
ME: For?
MM: Don’t be obtuse, Delaney. I know you’re looking at the deposit I made to your account.
ME: Obtuse. Wow! You’re a scholar. And how the hell do you have access to my bank account?
MM: *Snorts aloud.* No, I’m just intelligent, like you. And I have my ways.
ME: *Rolls eyes.* Thank you for the money, but I don’t know how I’ll ever repay it.
MM: You’re NOT going to. It’s a gift because you’re mine.
ME: Awful presumptuous. And they say women are clingy after sex.
MM: *Rolls eyes.* Still doesn’t change that you’re mine.
ME: How romantic. You sweep me off my feet. *Sarcasm.*
MM: I’ll sweep you off your feet and onto my hard cock.
ME: Again with the romance. How will I ever stand it?
MM: Stop being a brat or I’ll choke you with my dick.
ME: *Rolls eyes again. *
MM: Your eyes are gonna be rolling alright. When I pound you into oblivion.
ME: You’re such a pervert.
MM: *Snorts.* So are you. Buy that book you’re holding. I know you want it.
ME: Has anyone told you you’re a stalker?
MM: It’s not stalking when the person belongs to you.
ME: You’re possessive as hell.
MM: And you like it. Now, buy the book and go home before the store closes.
I look at the time on my phone. The asshole’s right. The store will be closing soon.
Mrs. Robinson smiles as she rings up my book and swipes my card. “I’m so glad I get to see you again. Any news about your mom?”
I can’t tell her I saw her, so I avoid her eyes as I put my card back in my wallet. “She hasn’t woken up yet.”
“I’ll keep her in my thoughts and prayers.”
Grabbing the handles of the bag, I shoot her a smile. “Thank you. Have a good night.”
“You too, dear.”
I stroll out the door, feeling terrible that I can’t be truthful with her.
My eyes roam over the dark parking lot. Uneasiness washes over me like I’m being watched.
Don’t be silly. You know who’s watching you. The stalker who deposited money into your account and told you to buy the book.
Biting my lip, I pull my phone from my purse.
ME: Thanks again for the book. You do sweet things… even though you’re a controlling asshole.
I grin as I hit send and slide my phone into the outside pocket of my purse, hoping my taunts will have my masked man sneaking inside my cabin. I don’t know how the fuck he got in, considering the alarm was set and the doors were locked, but after he and the other masked man snuck me into the hospital room to see my mom, I don’t think I want to know.
I’m almost to my car when someone grabs me, shoving me against my car with such force it knocks the breath from my lungs.
Chills erupt beneath my clothing as he grabs me, spinning me around to face him. “Hello, Delaney.”
Fuck, it’s Tim.
He draws his fist back, and I close my eyes.
Before he can connect, he’s yanked away from me. I slump against my car, opening my eyes, expecting to see my masked man.
Instead, his friend in the purge mask is there, beating the shit out of Tim.
Thundering footsteps come from behind me, and I whirl around, afraid it’s Daniel or one of my father’s men.
But it’s my masked man.
He rushes over to me, his hands cupping my face. Concern shoots from his eyes as they roam over me. “Are you okay, baby?”
I nod. “Yeah. Your friend intervened before Tim could hit me.”
“Hit you?”
“Yeah, he had his fist drawn back, ready to punch me.”
“Goddamn it.” He pulls me against his chest, hugging me tightly. “I’m sorry. He shouldn’t have gotten that close.”
He releases me before whirling around. My Myer’s mask wearing guy stomps over to his friend, barking, “Stryker.”
His neon mask jerks up. He stares at my masked man before shoving Tim toward him.
My masked man snarls like a beast as he catches Tim and starts beating the hell out of him.
The neon mask-wearing man comes over. “Are you okay?”
“Yes. You intervened before he could hurt me.”
His head bows, shame rolling off him. “He got to you, though. I shouldn’t have let that happen.”
“Stryker. Is that your name?”
His head jerks up, and he nods.
I step closer, my hand on his arm. “You didn’t do anything wrong. You stopped him from hurting me.” I glance over Stryker’s shoulder and immediately step around him, positioning myself between my masked man and Stryker’s body.
“Stop.” My hands plant on my masked man’s chest, fisting his hoodie. “He saved me.”
“He shouldn’t have let him get that close to you,” he snarls like a protective beast.
“Don’t. He feels bad enough.”
“He fucking should. When I get my hands on him, he will feel worse.”
“Stop it, please. You can’t hurt him without hurting me.”
My masked man’s eyes lower to mine, his rage blanketing me, making me shiver.
“I’ve had enough violence in my life because someone made a simple mistake.”
Some of the anger fades in my masked man’s eyes.
I step closer, my hands sliding around his neck as I press my body against his. “Please let this go.”
He cups my face, his thumb stroking over my cheek. “Okay. But only because you begged.”
I roll my eyes. “Thank you. Let’s talk to him. Calmly and rationally .”
My masked man mutters as we turn to Stryker. I shoot him a warning look, squeezing his fingers. The fucker rolls his eyes, and I glare at him.
Sighing, I turn my attention to Stryker. “You shouldn’t feel bad for what happened. He’s not going to punish you for Tim grabbing me.”
His head lowers. “I had a job to do, and I failed. I was distracted by a woman.” His head jerks up, and I can tell he didn’t mean to let that slip out.
“Ahhh. I get it.”
My masked man’s eyes bore into the side of my face. “Get what? That’s not a fucking excuse.”
“He likes a girl and was distracted by her. So what? He got to me before I was hurt. I’m certain he feels bad and won’t let it happen again, right?”
Stryker nods.
“See, all is well.” I shiver as I look at Tim’s prone body lying on the ground. Memories of the last time he assaulted me infiltrate me.
“What’s wrong?” My masked man pulls me into his arms, turning my face to his.
“Bad memories.” I blow out a breath. “Is he dead?”
“Not yet,” my masked man says, a cloud of rage swirling around him like a storm. “Once I’m finished with him, he will be.”
“Good.” The urge to walk over and kick the fucker rises inside me as my anger swells.
My masked man steers me to my car, but instead of the driver’s seat, he guides me toward the passenger seat.
“Get her home,” he says to Stryker over his shoulder.
“No, I?—”
“You don’t need to be driving right now. You’re too shaken up from that fucker putting his hands on you. I need to get that fucker out of here before someone sees him.” He pushes me in the seat, fastening my seatbelt while Stryker gets in the driver’s seat. He grabs my keys from my purse, tossing them to Stryker.
I begin protesting, but my masked man’s eyes bore into mine. “You want Mrs. Robinson to see you out here with us?”
“No…” My brows furrow.
He cups my face. “Go home, Delaney. I’ll see you soon.” Without another word, he shuts the door, hurrying toward Tim’s prone body.
Stryker has already started my car. He hurriedly backs up and then pulls out of the lot. “If you haven’t figured it out, that man loves you. He’s only looking out for you.”
I stare at his masked profile as he drives down the road, at a loss for words.
His head turns to me. Even though I can’t see his face, I feel the regret rolling off him. “Sorry I fucked up. I won’t fail you again.”
I stare at him, wondering what he looks like beneath the mask and why I’m not freaking out over this situation.
Instead of being afraid, I feel safe.
“Thanks for protecting me.”