Chapter Five
“Thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to work here,” Gracie said as she hung up her apron. “I've had so much fun.”
Ringing up the final total from the sales register, I looked over at her. “You did amazing. I think you sold more books today by word-of-mouth recommendation than I have all week.”
Her shrug of excitement reminded me why I had opened the shop. My dreams were coming true and here was the girl who reminded me of me… a rebel with a passion for stories and imagination.
“Here's your wages.” I handed her an envelope and watched her put it in her coat pocket.
The twinkle in her eyes brightened my mood and I walked with her to the door, opening it so she could go through. It was dark outside and the light from the shop made it hard for us to see.
“Is your mum here?” I asked, going to poke my head out.
“She's there!” Gracie sped out, turning to look over her shoulder as she approached her mother's car. “You should close up now!”
Nodding, I checked my watch. She was right, there was only fifteen minutes left of opening time, but I was tired after a busy Saturday. Plus, I wanted to do a bit of work on the bar upstairs.
As my employee climbed into her mother's car, I turned, ready to close the door. The hairs on the back of my neck lifted and I quickly looked outside again, searching the shadows that were left behind as Gracie's mum drove away.
Locking the door behind me, I rubbed my neck. I hadn't thought much about Brandon in the last twenty-four hours, too engrossed with Moth and his knowledge of me. I couldn't work out who he was and how he knew me.
With a shake of the head, I turned off the lights and went upstairs. The bar was eerie as I switched on the main lights, illuminating the whole area. My phone pinged and I took it out, swiping the alert away. I had CCTV set up everywhere in order to keep an eye on those upstairs when I was downstairs. It had been risky to have such an array of rooms with stealable books, but I'd been determined to create my vision.
Kneeling down next to the dismantled bar, I grabbed my screwdriver and took up where I'd left off. I'd been concerned with security since day one, especially after my experience with Brandon. He shouldn't have known about the shop, but I had no way of knowing what he was doing and how much he was still tracking me. Ever since the court order, he'd mostly kept his distance, until recently. Unfortunately, seeing Brandon at the bar, and again at the bridge, had shaken me.
Glancing over my shoulder, I shuddered. The books tucked on the shelves behind me had images of shirtless men or men in masks or symbols. When it was an event night, I had planned to use shutters to pull over the books so they couldn't be taken in the dark. Except, sitting alone in the silence, I questioned my decision to paint the shutters with glow in the dark masked men from some of the book covers.
I laughed and leaned over the piece of wood, screwing it to another part of the bar. The ping of the CCTV alarm on my phone had me freezing. I swiped it up with my spare hand and checked all of the cameras downstairs. There was nothing obvious, but the hairs on the back of my neck stood up again. Fuck, I was spooked. The security guys had warned that there could be an occasional false alarm. It must have been that.
“Don't be fucking stupid, woman,” I said to myself.
The tingling of anxiety wouldn't leave my skin and I stood, trying to swallow down the fear.
My phone pinged again and I held the screwdriver tighter, searching the cameras once again. There was nothing… except… Shit, the back door was open, just a tiny crack. Gracie must have forgotten to close it after she'd emptied the bin.
A shudder shot through me and I immediately went to my texts. No doubt the security system was picking up on the open door, but I needed to tell someone, anyone.
Moth, I know you don't want anything to do with me, but I'm at the shop and the security alert has gone off. Just telling you in case something happens to me.
Releasing a shaky breath, I clenched the screwdriver in my sweaty palm and started towards the door. I had to close the back door in order to stop the alerts.
My phone pinged again and I glanced down, freezing to the spot when I saw a dark figure at the bottom of the stairs. Brandon.
My head went light and I searched around, looking for somewhere to hide. There was a small section behind the stage where artists were able to get ready. There, I had to hide there. And conveniently, there was a light-switch too.
Running with soft footsteps, I flicked the lights off and used the light from my phone to see the two steps that led onto the stage. Once on it, I slipped behind the curtain and pressed myself against the wall, leaving a very slight gap in order to see into the room.
“Fuck,” I whispered when I looked out and the glow in the dark masked men stared back at me. “What an idiot.”
Checking my phone, I put a hand over my mouth. Brandon was looking in the other room, sticking his head through the archway before turning towards the door to the events room.
I wanted to ring the police, but Brandon was about to open the door and he'd hear the call handlers voice in the silence straight away. It would lead him directly to me before any police had a chance to leave their current destination.?
My mind suddenly clicked and I turned my phone to silent so that the alarm alerts didn’t give away my position. Flicking my light app on, I also disabled the lights with a quick button push, just about taking control so Brandon couldn't flood the place with light. I would have the advantage, as long as I stayed deadly silent.
The click of the door sent my heartbeat erratic. My palms were slick and I almost dropped my phone as I peered through the tiny slit of the curtain. The light from the hall illuminated his figure as he stuck his head in, searching the darkness.?
“Alia?” he drawled, “are you in here?”
My mouth was open as I tried to breathe, fighting the urge to vomit from fear. The bastard had snuck in without me noticing, and no doubt, he'd find me and kill me. I was probably about to die.?
The door closed behind my stalker and he crept into the room, his head moving as if he were looking around.?
“I didn't see you leave via the front door,” he called, “so you must be in the building somewhere.” His steps were slow, calculated. “Maybe you saw me when your little friend left, running out the back yourself.” His voice grew quiet. “It would explain why you left the back door open. But, what if you are here? Where are you now?”
I tucked my phone behind me so that no light would show if Moth actually replied.My muscles ached where I held them so rigidly.
Brandon kicked a piece of wood on the floor and I jumped, placing a hand on the wall beside me to steady myself.?
“I know you'll see the recording of this if you aren't here,” he went on, “so I might as well let you know how I've been.”
He spun a chair around and sat on it, facing the camera up in the corner above the shelves, his back to me.?
If I was stealthy, I could've snuck up behind him and stabbed him in the side of the head with the screwdriver. That would end it all then, taking away my biggest fear.?
My hands shook as I contemplated killing him or at least risking it to finally be free. It had to be either him or me.
“I saw that biker whisk you away,” Brandon bit out angrily, “How dare you fraternise with another man? You might not see it now, but we belong together.”
I held my stomach to prevent the nausea from taking over. This man had rescued me when I'd been at my lowest and I'd ignored all the red flags, despite them almost literally wrapping around my throat and strangling me.?
Lifting my foot, I took a step forward. Luckily, Brandon had always liked the sound of his own voice, so he kept talking. If he stayed distracted, it would give me more of a chance to attack him from behind.?
“After doing my research,” he went on, “I'm closer to finding out who he is. A friend has access to drivers’ records and will tell me his name soon.” He shuffled in the chair. “And you'll hear his name on the TV when I kill him.”
He got up and flexed his arms, stretching where he stood.
Holding still, I took a quiet breath and retreated back to my hiding place. My chance had gone, which fucking sucked.?
“It's a shame you're not here.” He sighed. “I'd love to fuck you right now.”
A shudder moved me and I held my breath. The bastard had been sadistic in the bedroom. At first, I'd loved the exploration, but things had started to escalate and I'd backed out, regretting ever inviting him into my life.?
“Anyway.” He stepped towards the camera, his head tilted so he looked directly into it. “Just know that I'll never let you go. Your pussy is too tight and sweet. The way you shudder when I circle my tongue around your clit sends me over the edge. I miss that, don't you?”
He groaned and shifted so he was sideways. “You won't see it in the dark but look how fucking rock solid I am for you!”
He grasped his crotch before laughing. My hand was clamped over my mouth and I breathed through my nose, shaking from the threat of him.?
“I've been inside your fucked up mind,” he said, going towards the door, “and now I've been inside your biggest dream. I will turn this place into a nightmare, Alia. I'll wait outside for a while, just in case you're hiding.”
He shut the door behind him and I let out my breath, being careful to still not make a sound.?
Lifting my phone, I watched him descend the stairs before leaving out of the back door, careful to leave it how he'd found it - slightly ajar.?
I lowered the phone and put my head in my hands. A sob broke through my composure as the fear ebbed slightly. The bastard had never chanced coming so close before. The police had to know, but my throat was too tight and the tears ready to explode. I had to get composure in order to speak.?
My sanctuary had been compromised and now he'd ruined everything. Emotion took over and I cried, the fear of the last few months culminating in this moment, hiding in a small cubby area behind my stage.
Once the wave had died down, I picked up my phone and pressed the button, frowning when the screen didn't light up. Wait, what? Holding the button down, I gasped when it fired up. Phew. Except, as soon as it was on, it flashed a dead battery warning and turned off again. No! Having the CCTV on my phone had always drained the battery quickly, but I had charged my phone, hadn't I??
Shit. I should've called the police when I'd had the chance. Now, I was stuck in the dark with a choice to make. Wait it out inside or chance leaving.
Sighing, I sat back and got comfortable. Either way, I wouldn't chance leaving or going downstairs for at least an hour. Surely, Brandon would get bored and go home.