Chapter 20
CHAPTER TWENTY
Dimos
While Carley was in the bath, I texted Izaak and asked that he tell Saylor to message me. I was planning on looking into this Blaine eventually, but that’s when I thought he was no longer a threat. Now that he’s made contact with her again, it’s time to move him to the top of my to-do list.
I’m even more pissed because I made a promise to myself to tell Carley about Emma tonight, before our weekend went any further. But I can’t bring it up now. The last thing Carley needs is another bomb to go off and more stress added to her plate.
While waiting for a response, I change out of my dress clothes and into a pair of gray sweatpants. I was hoping Saylor would text me before Carley got out, but I hear the water draining out of the tub, and there’s been no message from her.
I watch as my théa walks out of my bathroom, wrapped up in a towel. I ache to see her, to touch her, but this isn’t the time. I’m livid the little prick ruined her night. From the texts I’d gotten throughout the day, it seemed like the girls were having an incredible time.
Then, when I walked into the bar and saw her in that fucking dress…
O, thee mu. Oh my god.
It was all I could do to keep myself from dragging her into the bathroom or the back of my limo and having my way with her. She was stunning. Even more so than in the black number she had on in Greece.
But the fear I saw in her face when she spotted him nearly gutted me. I’ll do whatever it takes to make sure I never see that look on her face again.
“How was your bath, théa?”
“It was really nice, thank you. Those oils you used, what were they?”
“It’s a blend of olive oil, lavender, and almond.”
“It smells wonderful, and my skin feels like it just got a body polish.”
She sidles up to me and leans into my chest. My heart warms as I wrap her in my arms. It feels like they were made to hold her close. I rub my hand over her back reassuringly.
“You’re safe here, théa,” I ensure her softly as I lay a kiss on the crown of her head.
“I know,” she whispers.
“Here.” Taking her by the hand, I lead her into my dressing area. I grab an undershirt from my drawer and hand it to her. “You can wear this until we get you some pajamas to keep here.”
“Thank you, D. For everything.”
I give her a wink.
“Go ahead and get dressed. I’ll start on the popcorn.”
She smiles sweetly before I turn away from her and leave the room. I feel my phone vibrate in my pocket, and I pull it out to see an unknown number has sent me a message.
212-555-9187
Hey, it’s Saylor. Lurch said you wanted me to text you. Is Carley okay?
Me
Lurch? Yes, Carley is fine.
212-555-9187
Your tall-ass driver. He’s giving off serious creepy, silent guy vibes.
Me
Oh. He’s harmless. Did you guys make it home okay?
While I wait for her next reply, I add her number to my contact list.
Saylor
Yes, thank you for the ride. What did you need?
Me
I wanted to get some more information on this Blaine asshole, but I didn’t want to involve Carley in it. Do you know his last name or anything else about him?
I watch as three dots appear as she types out her response.
They stay there, blinking over and over for several minutes, so I put my phone back in my pocket and start the popcorn.
When it’s all finished and my penthouse smells like a movie theater, I take the bowl and some water out to the great room and place it on the coffee table in front of the sofa.
I get a brief flash of taking Carley on the back of the sofa last night, and it causes my dick to twitch. Before I allow myself to reminisce about it too much, my phone vibrates in my pocket again.
Saylor
His name is Blaine Markson. Carley met him at a bar about two years ago.
He seemed normal at first, but Carley wasn’t into him enough to want to pursue anything further.
After that night, they kept “bumping into one another.” But really, he had looked her up, got ahold of our address, her school schedule, where she worked.
He tried to convince her it was fate that they kept meeting and that she should give him a shot.
She was too nice to him and continued letting him down gently.
I suddenly feel even worse about accusing her of working for me with the intent of blackmailing me. If this is the reason she gives random guys a fake name, I don’t blame her one bit.
I’m such a fucking dickhead.
Saylor
Finally, I told her he was never going to get the hint if she wasn’t firm with him.
When she finally told him enough was enough, he went crazy.
Trashed the coffee shop they were in. Cops were called, etc.
After that, he would call us and hang up all the time.
Then he started showing up at our apartment.
He would wait out front of our building for Carley to come or go.
He showed up in a few of her classes. He never really did anything, just stood around, being creepy as fuck.
Until he somehow broke in and ended up spending the night in Carley’s closet.
She didn’t realize he was there until the next morning when she went to get dressed.
Me
Jesus. She didn’t mention that.
I’m so furious I could kill someone. Now I really wish I had punched that asshole back at the bar.
Saylor
We moved after that, and Carley got a restraining order.
She even got a new job, but he still found us.
Finally, she went to work for her father so he could keep a close eye on her.
We moved again, but we didn’t put her name on the lease this time.
We hoped that would make it harder for him to find her.
We got a call from a detective about a month after our second move.
He told us Blaine had been arrested on charges unrelated to Carley’s order of protection.
Saylor
I guess he’s out now …
Yeah, I guess so.
Me
Thank you for the info. I’m going to get a guy on him. I don’t trust that he won’t try anything again.
Saylor
Ren works for a security company. He is going to install an expensive home security system in the apartment for us.
That makes me feel a little better. Although they don’t deter some people like they should. I don’t believe for one second this psychopath has turned over a new leaf. And I don’t believe he was at that bar tonight by chance.
Me
Does Ren’s company do any sort of cell phone tracing? Anything where we can hack into this shithead’s phone and see what he’s up to?
Me
Also, I’ve been in the market for a security system for my new place. I’d like to interview Ren and see what packages his company offers. Can you give him my number and have him call me next week to set up an appointment?
Saylor
Sure. Ren said he can’t legally hack into his cell phone …
I recognize that Saylor is hinting toward Ren being able to hack it illegally. Before I pursue that avenue, I change my mind. I can get a PI to do it, and that will alleviate any risk of Ren getting caught.
Me
Okay. Don’t worry about it. I’ll talk to Ren next week. Thanks Saylor.
Saylor
Back atcha, Zeus.
I stare at the screen and can’t stop a hint of a smile at the nickname. I don’t know whether to be flattered or offended.
“I hope you don’t mind,” Carley breaks my concentration. “My feet were cold, so I went looking for a pair of socks.”
As she comes around the edge of the couch in nothing more than my white t-shirt, a pair of pink underwear, and white crew socks, I realize it’s going to be even harder than I thought to keep my hands off her tonight.
“Of course not. My socks are your socks.”
She giggles before climbing onto the sofa and curling her body next to mine.
“What would you like to watch?” I inquire.
“It honestly doesn’t matter,” she yawns. “The bath kind of took a lot out of me. I don’t know how long I’ll last.”
I run my hand up and down her arm, consoling her once again.
She knows it’s the shock of tonight’s events that are making her tired.
She’s trying to minimize its effect on her by blaming it on the bath.
I know she’s doing it for my benefit, and as much as I don’t want her to ever have to feel that way, I admire her wanting to set my mind at ease.
* * *
The rest of the weekend was pure bliss. We never left the penthouse. We watched movies. She introduced me to the Pitch Perfect franchise. That’s not something I thought I’d ever see in my lifetime, but I actually found myself tapping my foot and nodding along to the acapella beats.
I sent Izaak on a field trip to the toy store, and he came back with some board games and a few decks of cards, which ultimately ended with us playing strip poker. We even turned Yahtzee into a lively game of dirty dice.
I was almost excited when Carley would put clothes back on, because I knew taking them off again was going to be even more enjoyable than the last. I can’t remember a time when I was more engrossed in what was going on around me than I was with making sure my company was still running smoothly.
It was incredible not to touch my cell phone, check my work email, or even think about Okeanós for an entire forty-eight hours.
There was no shortage of fun and excitement with Carley under my roof. Unfortunately, it’s already Sunday afternoon, and she’s getting ready to leave. Izaak just pulled the car around, and I’m trying my best to pretend like I don’t want to beg her to stay forever.
“I’m going to miss you, D.”
Carley has her arms wrapped around my neck as I hold her body close to mine.
“I already miss you, théa. I’ll see you at work tomorrow, okay?”
“Okay,” she smiles sweetly, and I lean in for a kiss.
“Text me when you get home so I know you’re safe.”
“I will. Promise.”
“Antio, agapi mia.” Goodbye, my love.
Biting her bottom lip, she leans into the car and takes her seat.
I stare at her with longing as I close her in.
Taking a deep breath, I tap on the roof of the car, signaling to Izaak that he’s free to drive away.
As he pulls out onto Spruce Street, I’m already fantasizing about when I’ll see her again.
I debate firing her the moment she gets off the elevator tomorrow morning, just so I can fuck her on my desk.
As visions of her, skin flushed, eyes dilated, me thrusting in and out fill my head, I’m interrupted by my cell phone vibrating in my pocket.
It’s from a local number I don’t recognize, so I let it go to voicemail. By the time I make it back upstairs, I have a message from Ren wanting to figure out a time to meet up and talk about the security system for my penthouse. I call him back immediately.
“Ren, hi. Thanks for calling.”
“Hello Mr. Anastos—”
“Please, call me D.”
“D. Saylor told me you’re interested in a security system for your home?”
“Yeah, when can you come by to take a look and so we can discuss plan options?”
“I’m booked all of this week, but I’m sure after what happened the other night you’re anxious to get something in place soon. I can come over this evening to show you what we offer, and if you’re interested, I can work on the installation outside of my normal work hours this week.”
“That would be fantastic. I’ll pay you extra for overtime. Whatever the cost.”
“Great. I’ll call you when I get to your building.”
“Thanks, Ren. See you soon.”