Chapter Eighteen
Dani
I ’m practically floating as I step off the elevator. I can hardly believe that today really happened.
Not just how well the shoot and video went, but Andrés admitting he has feelings for me? And the others, obviously, but for now, I’m planning to just focus on the part about me.
Of course, the sex had been amazing, and when he invited me back to his place, I almost said yes. I’m not sure what kept me from doing so, but I just knew I needed to be home tonight.
I probably should’ve invited him back to my place, but being too eager is never a good thing, is it?
I can’t wipe the smile off my face as I stop outside my door, my hand freezing halfway to the lock before realizing my door is ajar. Which it obviously shouldn’t be, since I shut and locked it when I left earlier in the day.
Part of me wants to swing the door open to see what’s awaiting me on the other side, but luckily, the smarter side prevails as I rush back down the hallway to smack the down button.
I bite back sobs as I stumble into the elevator and press the button for the first floor. I could’ve called the front desk, but fear is sharp in my chest, making my reactions slower. All I could think about was getting away.
As soon as the door opens, I stagger across the lobby. Harrison’s eyes are wide, the phone lifted to his mouth as he speaks into it rapidly.
“Miss Williams?” he asks, setting the phone down. “What’s wrong?”
All I can do is shake, tears streaming down my face as I shake my head. Moments later, Ben joins us and leads me over to an armchair.
“Miss Williams?” I lift my head, eyes meeting Ben’s kind eyes. “There she is. Can you tell us what happened?”
I nod. “My door wasn’t closed, but I know it was when I left.”
“Did you go inside?” Ben asks quietly, more patient than I would be if I were in his shoes.
“No. I turned around and ran for the elevator.”
“Good. Good. That was the right decision. Harrison is calling the police now, and I’m sending a few of the guards up there.
They won’t enter the property until the police arrive, but just in case someone is still in there, we don’t want them to get away.
” He runs a hand through his hair. “We’ll start pulling videos to see if we can figure out how this happened.
Is there someone you want to call? To sit with you? ”
I look at him blankly before pulling my phone out of my bag and nodding. “Yeah.”
Ben’s smile is soft. “Good. Call them now. I’ll be right back.”
I stare down at the phone, still too shaken up to remember how to call anyone.
Finally, I unlock it and dial Andrés.
“Hello, mi reina. Do you miss me already?”
“An-Andrés?”
“What’s wrong? What happened, Dani?” His fun and flirty tone is gone as worry sweeps into his voice.
I sniff, finding myself fighting back tears once again. “Someone broke into my apartment.”
“Are you okay?”
I nod before remembering he can’t see me. “Yes, I didn’t go inside. I came straight down to the lobby. The police are on their way.”
There’s a shuffling on the other side of the line followed by the sound of a door closing. “That’s good, mi reina. I’m on my way now.”
“Thank you, Andrés. I’m going to call Maya now.”
“Okay. I’ll be there as quickly as I can. I love you.”
Luckily, he doesn’t wait for a response before hanging up because I’m not sure how to respond to that. I care about him—a lot—but do I love him?
I just don’t know.
Shaking my head, I dial Maya next and give her a rundown of the situation. I try to tell her she doesn’t need to leave work—that Andrés is on his way over—but she’s having none of it. She tells me she’ll be there soon, but I know it’ll take her longer since she’s coming from work.
With those two calls made, I consider calling Victor and Jason, but decide against it. Let them enjoy a night together.
I lift my legs into the chair, resting my chin on my knees as I stare out the window.
Who is doing this to me and why?
It doesn’t make sense that anyone would stalk me. Unless Officer Prick—I mean Officer Stone—was right, and it’s a camming fan.
Obviously, I’ve heard horror stories of things like this happening to other camgirls and camboys, but I never thought it would happen to me.
“Miss Williams?”
I blink up at the familiar voice, finding Officer Ellsworth standing there. “Officer Ellsworth.”
“I’m sorry that we’re meeting like this again,” she says softly. “The detectives working on your case are on their way over, but the chief thought you might feel more comfortable with me since I was the responding officer the night your car was vandalized.”
I smile at the kindness the chief of police is showing me. He could’ve petitioned to have me thrown out of the building. Instead, he’s bent over backward trying to make sure I feel safe.
“That was nice of him, and I’ll admit he’s right.”
“Did you enter your apartment?” She nods when I shake my head. “Good. Did you touch anything? The doorknob or the door itself?”
I shake my head again. “No. My hand froze about halfway there, and as soon as I realized what was going on, I bolted.”
She makes a quick note on her little pad as she nods. “What made you realize something might be wrong?”
“The door wasn’t closed. I locked it when I left, so I know it was shut.”
She hums. “It’s good you noticed. Based on the information provided by the building security, we don’t think the perp is still in the building.
But they could’ve been lying in wait for you, so I’m glad you didn’t enter the apartment.
No one will be going inside until the detectives arrive.
They don’t want anyone to mess up the scene, but they should be here in about ten minutes.
We’re getting everyone ready to head upstairs as soon as they arrive.
No matter what your apartment looks like, you won’t be able to stay there tonight as it’s an active crime scene. Do you have someone you can stay with?”
“She can stay with me,” Andrés says as he joins us, and I throw myself into his arms. He catches me easily, hugging me close. “Fuck, I was so worried about you, mi reina .”
Officer Ellsworth clears her throat. “We need you to hang around for a while. I know it’s not ideal, but the detectives will want to take a look around the apartment before speaking to you.
You’ll need to make a note of anything that’s been stolen or vandalized for the police report, but you’ll be able to wait until tomorrow for that if you want. Will you be okay waiting here?”
“I will now that Andrés is here, and my friend Maya is on her way, too.”
She gives me another small smile, her gaze lifting toward the door. “Good. The detectives are here. I’m going to let them know exactly what’s going on before we check out your apartment. We’ll be down to speak with you as soon as possible.”
Then she’s gone, and Andrés sits down, pulling me into his lap. “I want to know how someone broke into your apartment when Hollyvale Manor is supposed to be impenetrable.”
“That’s something I’d like to know, too.” Maya ducks down so I can see her face. “How are you doing, bestie?”
“You made it.” I sit up just enough to throw my arms around her neck and hug her close.
She chuckles. “Of course I’m here. I told you I would be, didn’t I?”
I nod. “You did.”
I settle back into Andrés’s arms, snuggling into his chest and letting my eyes fall shut.
“She can’t stay here. Clearly, it’s not as safe as they like to make it out to be.” I can hear the worry in Maya’s voice, but I just don’t have it in me to make her feel better. Not when I can’t even make myself feel better.
Andrés hums. “I told her she could stay with me.”
Maya snorts. “I don’t think so. Your apartment isn’t exactly secure.”
“And yours is?” Andrés scoffs. “Plus, my apartment is probably the least likely place anyone would look for her. Yours is the first place they’d look.”
“Look here, cabrón . She’s my best friend—”
“Don’t fight.” I blink my eyes open to find both of them watching me. “While Andrés is probably right that they will look for me at your place, Maya, I think we’d all feel more comfortable if I stayed with you.”
I feel Andrés stiffen beneath me and wrap my arms around his neck. My lips brush against his lips as I murmur, “I don’t want that kind of pressure on what we’re building.”
He immediately relaxes and nods. When I turn back to Maya, I find her watching the two of us with narrowed eyes.
Fuck, I’m going to have to tell her about me and Andrés, aren’t I?
I mean, obviously, I’m going to have to tell her. I just don’t know how she’s going to react.
Before I can think about that too much, Officer Ellsworth returns with the detectives in tow. Maya and Andrés hold my hands when they lead me up to my apartment, that’s been absolutely and utterly destroyed.
All of my electronics and decorations have been smashed to pieces. There are gouges in all my furniture that the detectives tell me were most likely made with a knife. Every single piece of clothing has been shredded. Every picture is torn to bits.
I’m so shocked by the destruction that I can’t even cry.
Why would someone feel the need to so utterly destroy the one space I have that’s all mine?
I’m not sure what will happen next. It feels more like I’m watching a movie than taking part—only getting flashes here and there.
The last thing I remember clearly is Maya and Andrés tucking me into bed in Maya’s spare room before sleep pulls me under.