Chapter 2
2
KELLI
M y week of vacation was flying by. Thankfully, the weather stayed nice so I was able to deep clean the house and get a bunch of yard-work done. My flower beds and hydrangea bushes haven’t looked this nice since I moved in. My walls and baseboards were scrubbed clean, and I even cleaned behind my fridge, which hasn’t been moved since I moved in. Brian sent me a grocery delivery Tuesday despite my protests of being fine. It included a candle, bubble bath, and bath salts, which was sweet but weird since Danny swore he didn’t tell him I mentioned taking some baths. His text said it was to help me relax so I could stay home and avoid the looks I would inevitably get at the grocery store, courtesy of my purple chin. For not being around each other much the last ten years, he clearly still knows me and my recluse tendencies well.
Working as a nurse meant I was either working or sleeping, and I thrived on that lifestyle. Having too much down time meant too much thinking time, and that always led to me thinking about Brian. This week, especially with his delivery, meant I spent most of my time with him on my mind. Four years, and my heart still longed for him, despite him treating me like an afterthought. Or a thought at all.
Four days of cleaning and gardening and I was itching to get back to work. As the Friday evening sun was setting, I decided to enjoy a beer on my porch. My little wicker chairs weren’t much, but the green cushions and white pillows were adorable and comfy. The orange and yellow sky shone through my neighbor’s homes, streaks of color shining over my small porch, making me long for a clear view to enjoy the full sunset. As the sun continued to set, I nursed my beer, scrolling through my Instagram when a direct message came through.
It was from someone I wasn’t following. Their username was ‘xMr.Wintersx’. The hairs on my neck stood up as I read the message.
I like a woman who fights back. Makes things more exciting. Would you fight me, Kelli? – Mr. W
What. The. Hell. This is why I didn’t want to do that stupid interview. I clicked on the profile which had no followers and no posts. Their profile photo was a screenshot of me from the news. I immediately reported and blocked the profile after taking a screenshot of the message and sent it to Danny.
Danny: Bet you’re really regretting that interview now, make sure you block his creepy ass.
Kelli: Reported him too.
Danny: Good, let me know if he tries to reach out again, I have guys for that. *winky face*
I’m not sure what that means, but his husband is a police officer so I’m sure he knows all sorts of people. The bright side is that, so far, besides a few texts from coworkers, this was the only person who seemed to have paid attention to or seen that little news segment.
The weekend was filled with binge watching trash TV, reading romance books and dinner with Danny and Alex. Monday came all too soon, and thankfully, things were totally normal at work. No one mentioned the incident or the interview, and no one died on my watch. Ten hours on my feet after a week off exhausted me, but it felt nice to be back. Pulling up to my home that evening, I sat in my car for a few minutes trying to muster up the energy to get my trashcan and mail from the curb before heading inside. Trudging on tired legs, I walked to the mailbox first, and then carted the trash can to the side of the house. Once inside, I dropped my purse and keys on the entry console, then flipped through the mail as I headed to the kitchen. It was mostly junk except for a plain envelope with only my name on the front. Standing at the island, I flipped it over and ripped it open, pulling out the little card inside. Written in neat black handwriting was another creepy note from Mr. W.
Your blue scrubs make your eyes shine. My hand around your throat would make them glitter.
-Mr. W
Hands shaking, I slowly stepped back from the counter trying to keep my breathing under control. I grabbed my phone from my pocket and ran down the hall to lock myself in my room as I called Danny. He answered on the third ring, “Hey babe, how was your first day back?”
My voice cracked as I tried to swallow the lump in my throat. Sinking back against my bedroom door, I let myself slide down to the floor. “I think I need Alex’s help. I think I might have a stalker.”
He was quiet a moment and I could picture his jaw working back and forth. “What do you mean you think you have a stalker?”
“I got a note in my mailbox signed from what I think is the same Mr. W that messaged me on Friday. He mentioned my blue scrubs that I wore today.” I could hear his sharp inhale on the other end.
“Where are you now?”
“I’m locked in my bedroom. This is stupid, I am stronger than this, but he knows where I live. He’s watching me.” I wiped at the errant tear that escaped.
“Do not move or leave that room. Alex and I will be there in 10. I’ll use my key to get in, so don’t be alarmed. When I hang up, I want you to call Brian immediately and tell him you need an updated security system with cameras.” The worry in his voice was evident.
“Okay, see you guys soon.”
By the time Alex and Danny yelled that they were here, Brian had set up a plan and told me he would have my new system delivered by Wednesday evening and a crew out on Thursday to install it. I was impressed with how quickly he set it up, but he simply replied that owning the company meant he could create the schedules however he saw fit. I lied and told him everything was fine and that I just wanted an upgrade. He sounded worried, but I could take care of myself. I had been doing it for years. I didn’t want him to see me as the little sister he needed to protect anymore.
I stood up, unlocking my door and met Danny and Alex in the kitchen. They both turned to me as I walked in, their eyes showing a mix of worry and pity. Danny sat up and came over, wrapping me in a tight hug. I showed them the envelope and note and explained to Alex the previous message I had as well. Alex used a tissue to grab it and stuffed it in a sandwich bag from under the sink. “I really think we need to call the police on this, Kel,” Alex said as he looked at me with troubled eyes.
“I did. I called you.” Alex has been working with the police department for seven years, making detective last year, which was exactly why I had called him and Danny.
“I’m not here in an official capacity, so I can’t make a case and can’t run this for prints. If this person escalates the situation, it would be best for you, and for legal reasons, to have a case open and ready to nail them with,” he pleaded.
“I am getting my new security system delivered Wednesday and I will make sure the cameras cover the mailbox. If he reaches out again, I promise I will call the police. I will even keep that note in the bag just in case, okay?” I didn’t see the point in opening a case now. I didn’t have much to go on, really just one note since I couldn’t say for sure the message was from the same person. I’m sure my new cameras will deter them anyway.
Danny sighed, “Fine, but you are staying with us until they’re delivered on Wednesday. Go pack a bag; I’m not budging on this.”
On the drive home from work Wednesday, my bone deep exhaustion was really hitting. Even though I knew I was safe with Danny and Alex, sleep didn’t really come easy. Even with my anxiety, I am looking forward to crawling into my own bed tonight. Things at the hospital kept my brain distracted during the day, but at night is where everything comes crashing down around me. I haven’t told any of my co-workers about the note; Alex and Danny are blowing things out of proportion. Yes, the note and the message were creepy, if not vaguely threatening, but I haven’t heard anything else from this person. It freaks me out that he knows where I live. I am sure it was not all that hard to find though. With my new security system being installed tomorrow, he would have to be an idiot to come back by. I will be fine, and everything will go back to normal.
I haven’t heard from Brian yet today so I’m not sure if my system has already been delivered. As I turned down my road, a black truck was parked on the street in front of my house. Maybe I take it all back, my system isn’t installed yet and that could be him now. I slowed a little, making the snap decision to drive past my house and back to Danny’s. As my car passed the back of the truck though, I saw the triple S logo on the truck door. It was Brian’s company, Stirling Security Systems, and there was a man leaning against the front bumper talking on his phone.
He must be the one delivering the system, so I pull into my driveway. As I put the car in park, I reached into my purse and wrapped my hand around the switchblade just in case. Stepping out of my SUV, I turned to the man that was still on the phone and slowly walking up my driveway toward me when my breath caught in my throat.
There are men and then there are MEN. This guy was ALL MAN. He looked to be about 6 foot tall with dark hair, cut short at the sides, a little combed over on top with broad shoulders that stretched his black t-shirt over his equally broad chest. He was fit but it is clear his body was hard earned and not just ‘show muscles,’ as I liked to refer to them. Tight cargo pants fit over his equally massive thighs before meeting his black work boots. As my gaze reached his face my eyes latched onto his bright emerald green ones surrounded by thick dark lashes and dropped down to his full lips that were slightly tilted in a smirk. Yeah, I had definitely been caught ogling him.
He stopped about five feet away from me, free hand in his pocket, but was still on his phone uttering a couple ‘mmhmms’ and ‘yups’ while not breaking eye contact with me. His unwavering green-eyed gaze was unnerving, like he was assessing me, but he kept his face void of emotion so I couldn’t tell what he was thinking. He finally let out a heavy sigh, “Do you want to just talk to her so I can get started on the install? I really would like to be home before midnight.” He was silent a moment longer, then held his phone out to me, still careful not to come any closer. “It’s Brian. While he talks your ear off, I am going to take a quick look around your house.I will need to get in at some point to install the access panel.”
I slowly lowered my knife back into my purse and reached out to grab his phone. “Hello?” I heard B start talking immediately, but didn’t fully pay attention as the mystery man started walking toward my porch. “I’m Kelli, by the way,” I yelled after him, “and you are?”
“Josh,” he replied without slowing or turning around. Okay then. Josh was not a big talker.
I focused back on the phone as I leaned against my car. “Ignore Josh’s attitude,” Brian was saying. “He’s my business partner, the one who actually created the systems and will know exactly where the best places to install the cameras are to keep you safe. In all his big brains, though, he still hasn’t figured out how to talk to people. I’m sorry I couldn’t make it out to do the install myself. I didn’t want just any employee out there for you. That’s why he’s a day earlier than planned. He had some free time, so I sent him to ensure it gets done the way I would want it done.”
“Brian, you didn’t have to do all of this. Also, you never emailed me the bill like you said you would. I don’t need anything crazy, just maybe one or two cameras, and a flood light would be great.” I stayed leaning against my car as Josh hauled boxes out of the back of his truck up to the porch. “Seriously B, what is he doing? It looks like a lot of equipment?”
I could hear the smile in his voice, “Weird about the bill, I’m sure it will come through eventually. I told him your house size and left it up to his discretion. Josh was in the Army with me and knows what good protection looks like, so he will do what he sees fit and you won’t complain. I have a business call I have to hop on, so just go inside and let him do his thing. Call if you need anything else okay, Kel?” There was a slight pause before his voice lowered. “I miss you.”
“I miss you too B. Thank you for this, truly.” I hung up and walked to the porch handing Josh his phone. “So Josh, I am exhausted and ordering in. You like Chinese? I’m assuming you’ll be at this for a bit?”
He looked up from the box he was pulling wires from, staring deep into my eyes again for a few beats. “Chinese sounds great, thank you. I’ll knock when I need to get inside for the access panel.”
With that, I unlocked my door and slipped inside, immediately re-locking the door. I needed food and a shower. Why is it I only see hot men when my hair is a tangle on top of my head and I smell like antiseptic? I’m sure my mascara is smudged in with my dark eye circles. Whatever, I have more important things to focus on right now, like food.