Chapter Eleven
Dani
I ’ll be the first to admit I’m freaking out a little bit right now.
Who the hell am I kidding?
I’m freaking the hell out.
The presents, emails, and letters were one thing, but this? This feels dangerous, and for the first time since I started receiving the anonymous messages and gifts, I’m scared.
I really didn’t think there was anything to worry about. I thought it was just an overzealous fan who was good with a computer, but as I stare at my destroyed car, I know Maya was right.
This isn’t okay.
“Okay, Miss Williams, the head of security has filled us in on what he knows. I’d like to hear from you what happened.
” Officer Ellsworth offers me a soft smile, and it makes me like the woman even more.
Her tone tells me she’s a take no shit person, but she also takes the time to show me empathy for what I’m going through.
It’s more than I can say about her partner, Officer Stone. All he’s done is sneer at me—and that’s when he’s not openly checking me and Maya out.
Fucking perv.
“I left for work around seven tonight. When I was finished, I went out to eat with Andrés and Victor at the Jukebox Junction diner off Old Highway 41. I parked in the same spot I always do and headed inside. I called Maya when I made it to my apartment at 1:13, according to her phone.” I gesture to each of them when I speak about them.
“Then I texted Andrés, Jason, and Victor, asking them to come over so we could discuss something.”
“At two o’clock in the morning?” Officer Stone lifts a brow, practically leering at me now. “In my experience, the only texts that are sent at that time of night usually don’t have anything to do with talking.”
“Officer Stone, if you’re going to continue to make inappropriate comments, then you can wait in the car.” Officer Ellsworth squares up her shoulders, staring down the man who’s at least a foot taller than her. “And I will be reporting this when we get back to the station.”
The officer’s face flushes red with anger. “Do you know what she does for her ‘work,’ Officer Ellsworth? Why don’t you tell her so she knows you brought this on yourself?”
My eyebrows shoot up, growls spilling from Victor and Andrés as they take a step toward the asshole. I hold up my hand to stop them before focusing my attention on the douche.
“I’m not sure my career choice has anything to do with what’s happening, but I’m not ashamed of what I do, Officer Stone.
” I offer him a saccharine smile. “But the fact that you know what I do for a living is telling in and of itself. Whether or not Officer Ellsworth makes a report on your behavior, I can assure you I’ll be making a complaint. ”
I focus on Officer Ellsworth, dismissing the other officer.
He’s not worth my time, and I have no issues with letting him know that.
“I work as a camgirl at Behind the Lens. I went in to record a live video tonight. I can log onto my site so you can get a better idea of the timeline if you need me to.”
“The chief is going to be pissed when he finds out there’s a porn star living in his daughter’s building. We already know why this happened. I don’t know why we’re bothering with this since it’s your own fault,” Officer Stone mumbles, glaring at me.
I scoff. “He’s aware I live here and what I do for a living.
As is the board. It’s not something I hide.
It’s not like I’m a prostitute bringing back Johns to my apartment.
I pay my rent just like everyone else. But I’m glad to know you go around blaming victims for the crimes committed against them.
That will also go into my complaint. Why don’t you keep going?
Something tells me you’ll just keep giving me more to add. ”
“Go to the fucking car, Officer Stone.” Officer Ellsworth points at the awaiting cruiser, lifting a brow when he doesn’t immediately move. “Are you ignoring an order from a commanding officer, Stone?”
The officer’s sneer only grows as he stares at his fellow officer, but he finally grunts. “No. That’s fine. You waste your time here while I take a nap.”
We watch him stomp away before Officer Ellsworth turns back to me. “I’m sorry for his behavior—”
“Never apologize for someone else’s behavior,” I tell her, cutting her off. “Especially not a man’s. Women have done that enough in history, and it’s about time we stop doing so, don’t you think?”
She grins, nodding. “Too right you are. Okay, let’s get back to business so you can head back to your apartment.”
I run through the timeline once more before hesitating. I have to tell her about everything else, don’t I? They might not be related, but they could be.
“Is there something else?” Officer Ellsworth asks softly, and my eyes flicker to Maya, who’s watching me with a cocked eyebrow.
“Hmm…yes. I guess there is.” I tell her about everything, feeling tension from the others growing with each admission.
She sighs, closing her notepad when I finish. “How long has this been going on, Miss Williams?”
I shrug. “About a year, I think.”
“You should’ve reported it. They wouldn’t have been able to do much about it, but then it would’ve been on file.
” She shakes her head. “Sorry. I’ve just seen this play out badly one too many times.
There’s always a chance that this is unrelated, but that seems unlikely.
I’ll file a second report including all of that information.
If this is the same person, they’re likely to continue to escalate now that they’ve been drawn out. ”
I fight back a shiver, fear heavy in my stomach. “What do I do now?”
“Now, you have the car towed and repaired. It’s good that you live here.
” She nods toward the building. “This place is practically impregnable, but I would talk to the head of security about getting a plan in place. You shouldn’t go anywhere alone—just in case.
Or if you are going out alone, you should have someone walk you to and from your car.
I’m sure they’ll be making improvements here, but it’s better to be safe than sorry.
It’s hard to predict how quickly this person will escalate now, but there’s a chance that they’ll try to kidnap you since they view you as theirs. ”
She shakes her head. “They’re likely to assign a detective to the case, who will want to talk to you in more detail. If you’ve kept any of the stuff that’s been sent to you, they’ll want it.”
“Of course.” I nod. “I appreciate you.”
Officer Ellsworth nods her head, eyes moving to my friends. “It’s good you have friends. You’ll need them now more than ever. Be safe, Miss Williams.”
Then she’s gone, leaving me alone with Maya, Andrés, Jason, and Victor.
“I fucking told you,” Maya hisses. “I told you that you needed to go to the police.”
I nod. “You did. I should’ve listened to you.”
“Why didn’t you tell us, darling?” Jason’s face is filled with concern, and I hate it.
This is the exact reason I didn’t want to tell them. There was no way I could keep it from Maya, considering how often she’s over at my place, but I didn’t want the others to worry. I also really didn’t think it was all that big of a deal.
Apparently, I was very wrong.
“I just…” I shake my head. “Can we head inside? I don’t really feel like being out here longer than I have to.”
Victor is beside me in a second, wrapping his arm around my shoulders. “Of course. We can talk inside your apartment.”
He steers me toward the building, pausing when Ben steps into our path.
“Miss Williams, the board has been notified of the incident. They’re planning an emergency meeting tomorrow to discuss additional security.
Going forward, either I or one of my men will escort you to and from your car.
If you’re okay with it, I’d like it if you’d give your permission for us to open your packages to be sure they’re safe before delivering them. ”
My mind flits to the order of toys that should be delivered soon, my face flushing slightly. “That’s fine, but I don’t want to hear about anyone being traumatized when they open up my box of dildos.”
Ben chokes, eyes going wide before he clears his throat and nods. “It might be best if you notify us of what packages you’re expecting. Here’s my card. You can email me directly, and I’ll be sure to pass it along to David on the day shift so he can be sure the guards are aware.”
“Thank you, Ben.” I take the card from him. “I’ll email you a list tomorrow… Or later today, I guess.”
He nods. “Get some sleep, Miss Williams.”
Ben hurries ahead to open the door for us, gesturing for us to go-ahead.
Victor leads us to the elevator, and I wave at Harrison behind the desk. His face is grim as he returns the gesture.
A few minutes later, we step into my apartment, and I lead them to the living room.
“Damn, mi reina , this place is nice.” Andrés whistles, and I flush.
This is the first time I’ve had him, Jason, and Victor over.
I shrug. “It’s home. I don’t care about all the fancy stuff. I just like how secure the building is.”
“We should talk about your stalker,” Victor says, and I pull away from him with a shake of my head.
“That’s not why I called you over here. It’s late. We should talk about the calendar so we can all get some sleep.”
Jason scoffs. “Yeah, that’s not happening until after we talk about this. I’m worried about you, Dani.”
“We all are,” Andrés adds. “Talk to us.”
“Apparently, I should’ve just told these pendejos what was going on.” Maya lowers herself onto the couch. “I forgot how fucking stubborn they are.”
I glare at her before my shoulders slump.
I drop into my favorite armchair and gesture for everyone to have a seat.
“I already told you I should’ve listened to you.
Obviously, I was wrong. As far as the stalker or whatever, you heard what I told Officer Ellsworth.
There’s nothing else I can tell you. I should’ve taken it more seriously, but I can’t change that now. ”
“Okay, fine. We know everything. So what are we going to do to make sure you’re safe now?” Victor asks, arms crossed over his chest.
“My safety is none of your concern,” I say primly.
Jason snorts. “That’s where you’re wrong, darling. It’s absolutely our concern. We’re your friends.”
“You need to tell Lorna,” Andrés informs me. “She’ll want to know.”
I wave him off. “I’ll talk to her the next time I’m at the warehouse.”
“No, you’ll call tomorrow and let her know.” Victor’s growled words leave no room for argument, and rather than try, I just nod. “We’ll need to make sure there’s someone who can meet you there for your sessions and then walk you out.”
The idea of someone needing to babysit me has me bristling in my seat, but then I remember the message on my car and bite back my response.
“Okay,” I say instead. “Now, can we talk about my idea for the calendar?”
I was so excited to share the idea with them, and while my enthusiasm has waned slightly, I still can’t wait to tell them.
They’re going to love it—I just know it.
Victor sighs, running a hand through his thick auburn hair. “Yeah, okay. Tell us.”