Chapter 22
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Matt
Nick had to get home, but he waited until dinner was over on Sunday night to leave. He told me to call him if anything worried me. I swore he said something about placing cameras, but I was hoping I was wrong. I walked him to his car after arguing with him for ten minutes about how unsafe it was. I could stay vigilant and also live my life. I was taking this seriously, but if I wanted to do something I would, and I’d be careful. Nick reluctantly agreed—not that I gave him a choice. I kissed him good-bye, and of course he made me go inside before getting in his car and driving off.
Monday morning I was more excited about seeing Nick than my session with JJ, but I wouldn’t let it hinder me from doing my job.
I got to my car, an extra pep in my step, my head in the clouds. That was my mistake. I didn’t hear anyone approach, but suddenly my body was pushed forward against my car, and I couldn’t turn around. My bag crashed to the floor as my arms were gripped behind my back.
“Why do you continue to break my heart?” With their other hand, they slammed a photo of Nick and me kissing good-bye Sunday night. “This is not allowed! End it, or I will.”
Their voice was altered, as if they were talking through one of those devices Ghostface had used in Scream . When they released me I spun quickly, hoping to get a glimpse, but they were sprinting out of the garage.
Should I go after them? No, that would be dumb. I had to call Officer Mendez. The garage cameras must have caught something.
With shaking hands, I texted JJ that I’d be a little late. I called Mendez, but it went straight to voice mail. Why was I outside my car? I hurried in, locking the doors.
I tried to start the car, but I was vibrating with fear. They said they’d end it if I didn’t—what did that mean?
My phone vibrated with an incoming call. Nick. I cleared my throat and answered.
“Hello?”
“JJ said you’re running late. Why?”
Of course he’d jump to conclusions…except, he was right.
“I’m on my way now, I’ll tell you when I get there.”
“Mattie, are you okay?”
“Don’t call me that. I’ll be there soon.” I disconnected the call, shook my head, and turned the ignition in the car.
The drive was muscle memory, and that was good because my brain was not focusing. This person had never come near me physically. It had all been gifts and notes. This was an escalation.
I drove down the long driveway to the Saints’ home. Nick was waiting for me, and from the look on his face, he knew something.
“They touched you!” He rushed over to me when I got out of the car.
“You saw the cameras…I’m fine, really…don’t…” I didn’t get another word out because I was being crushed in his arms.
He cradled the back of my head with one hand, pressing it to his chest, the other wrapped around my waist. It was nice…perfect.
“I’m okay, Nick.”
“I will fucking kill them.”
I pushed off him. “I left a message for Officer Mendez. No killing, Nick.”
“Do you think it stops here, Matt? They are evolving; they’ve touched you. They will want more.”
A shiver jolted up my spine, the fear nearly suffocating. “I’m okay.”
“I see you’re physically fine for now. Matt, please don’t brush this off.”
“I’m not!” I yelled. “This is happening to me, Nick. Me. I’m doing what I can the best way I can. I don’t need you scaring me more.”
He pulled me to him again and I went willingly. “I’m sorry. I don’t want to scare you.”
“He saw you and me together, took a picture.” I pulled it from my pocket. Nick took it and glared at the photo. “Said I was breaking their heart and to end it or they would.”
Nick was gritting his teeth, and I wanted to soothe him just as much as I wanted to let him loose. Part of me wanted Nick to make this stop anyway he could, but I didn’t know if I would be able to live with that.
“Come inside.” His eyes scanned the area. “You’re safe here.”
I entered the house, surprised that I didn’t see anyone. “Where’s JJ?”
“Outside. He said he’d be waiting for you there. I told him I needed to speak with you first.”
I nodded. “And everyone else?”
“Some are with Noel working on not being tech illiterate. The rest are at Saintly Sweets.”
“Does JJ know?”
“They’ll all be informed this evening. I need their help with these background checks. The faster I get it done, the sooner this will be over.”
I followed Nick to the kitchen, where I could see JJ in the yard. “And you really think whoever is doing this is someone on that list?”
“I absolutely do.” He spoke with so much conviction, I believed him.
“Right…” I hooked a thumb toward the window. “I’m going out to work with JJ.”
“Come find me when you’re all done.” He gave me a quick peck on the lips and was off to do something dark and dangerous, I was sure.
I shook my head and walked outside. JJ was smiling at me, like a cheesy-ass grin.
“You’re chipper this morning.”
He jerked his chin at the house. “Saw that…windows are transparent.”
I hung my head and chuckled. “Of course you did.”
“Not so much enemies anymore but instead, lovers perhaps?”
“We were never enemies, JJ.” I laid out the two yoga mats.
“Uh-huh, riiiiiiiiiiiiiight.” He winked and began doing his stretches.
For the next forty-five minutes, we went through his PT. He didn’t ask any more questions about Nick. However, while I was packing up, he got all serious.
“Something new happened, didn’t it?” His eyes flickered to the left, probably trying to see if anyone was watching us. “Nick said you agreed to let us help.”
I hooked the bag on my shoulder. “Yeah, let’s get a drink, and I’ll tell you about it before your massage.”
JJ and I sat in the kitchen hydrating while I told him everything new. To JJ’s credit, when I got to the part where Nick came by and stayed the night, he didn’t push further; instead he was concerned for me.
“Matt, maybe you should stay here until this is over.”
“What?” I nearly choked on my water. “That’s crazy.”
“Why is that crazy? We have an extra room; you’d have privacy. This way the police can do their thing, and we can do ours. Knowing you’re safe will put everyone’s mind at ease and the focus on your insane stalker.”
“JJ, I can’t, for so many reasons.”
JJ sat back and folded his arms over his chest. I smiled at the fact that he did it without wincing.
“Tell me your reasons.”
“Look at you, JJ. You did that without making a face. You’re coming so far.”
“Nope. I won’t be sidetracked by your praise. Speak.”
I rolled my eyes. “First, you’re my client.”
“Who you lived with for like five months already so it’s not not allowed.”
Damn . “But I signed off on that, so I’d have to explain my move to my boss.”
JJ snorted. “We aren’t talking about full-on living here, just while all of this is going on. Would your boss even know?”
“Also, Nick. I don’t know what’s going on with us but whatever it is, it’s new. This could destroy it before it even begins.”
JJ waved a hand at me. “Preposterous. Next.”
“I like my own space. This house is amazing, and you have a lot to do here, but it’s not mine.”
JJ sighed. “Where you are isn’t safe, Matt. They got to you in the garage; they could figure out a way to get into your apartment.”
I’d thought about that, but I didn’t want to be run out of my own home. Was my stubbornness my worst enemy right now? Maybe, but I wasn’t weak and I wasn’t going to just run and hide. “Thank you for the offer, JJ, but I’m going to pass for now. If I truly fear for my life, I will remember this.”
I could see his disappointment, but he nodded curtly. “I can’t force you.”
“Oh, I’m sure you could.”
I was happy when he laughed.
“Massage time.”
That ended the conversation, and the remainder of our session was filled with JJ telling me all the new treats Saintly Sweets was making next week. That, of course, had me promising to stop by.