Chapter 7 #2
"It must be wonderful to have someone who cares about you that much." He wanted to give into the low grade need for a smoke but resisted.
"It's a pain in the ass, but yes, it's a great feeling." Leaning closer to the monitor, she frowned. "Someone entered the inner sanctum. This guy here." She tapped on the monitor and Eric leaned over. "Ah yes. Idiot says he was looking for the john. I told him to get lost."
"He looks nondescript. Someone you would pass on the street or even in the room and never notice."
Eric's eyes sharpened. "You think it's him?"
"He looks like a librarian."
"Not so. There was a librarian in this little library in Kinsale.
Older woman, sexy as hell, used to wear these tight skirts and tops straining against the most impressive racks.
" He made a motion with his hands several inches from his chest to demonstrate.
"Had the boys taking up reading a hell of a lot. I was sixteen and was in love."
"You're a sick man, Eric."
"I'm a man who appreciates beauty of any age." He corrected with a grin. "This guy." He studied the man intently. "He looks harmless."
"They mostly do. I'm going to check him out."
"This business is creating a lot of tension between Oscar and Kiara."
"Cannot be good for the babies she's carrying. The sooner we get to the bottom of this, the better."
People underestimated him all the time. And he let them. He was smart as a whip. Had to be in order to make up for the fact that he was plain. He had in hindsight lied on his application by giving a false address. No one knew where he really lived and it helped that the house was fairly isolated.
And he had started working from home. The excuse of taking care of his sick mother had the bosses showing empathy. And since he was one of their best employees, he received a certain leeway.
He had expected to be checked into, since he had made the mistake of venturing upstairs. And he had left the note. He considered that a mistake, but something had to be said. What they had been going on with on the dance floor was a mistake.
His phone buzzed silently, a soft vibration against the kitchen counter.
He ignored it for a moment, eyes lingering on the faded wallpaper as he replayed the previous night in his mind.
Every detail mattered now. He had always counted on being overlooked; he slipped through cracks in the crowd with practiced ease.
But last night, something had shifted. He could feel eyes beginning to turn his way, interest sharpening where there previously had been none. He needed to be careful. The smallest misstep could unravel everything.
That he could not afford to happen. Ignoring the strident voice of his mother, he picked up napkin Kiara had used. He considered himself lucky that he had been near enough to grab it before someone tidied up the table where she had been sitting.
Closing his eyes, he pressed it to his nose and inhaled her scent. She had pressed it against her lips and even though no lipstick mark was there, the imprint of her lips were visible, allowing him to rub his over it. He felt the familiar spurt of lust and the weakness invading his body.
He could see her in his mind's eyes, wearing that outfit. He had been close enough to see the imprint of her nipples. He didn't want it to be physical, but he was a man and he was weak. Reaching into his underwear, he gripped himself and pulled his erection out.
He could feel her inside the dingy kitchen, her presence filling the room. Leaning against the fridge, he started stroking, breath hitching and coming frantically through his parted lips.
The sound of his mother's shrill voice was drowned out by the blood thundering inside his head.
The release came, leaving him weak, drained, and crying out Kiara's name. Soon, very soon, he would be pouring himself inside her and she would know what it's like to be truly worshipped.
"The bad news is this guy." Margo tapped on the screen. "He's not the only one who wandered upstairs. I counted fifteen people, including two drunken couples."
"So, there's no way of telling which one, if any of these people is the stalker.
" Oscar had deliberately taken the meeting at the pub in order to spare Kiara.
Besides she was on a roll as she called it and did not want to be disturbed.
He had taken special precautions and instructed one of the drivers to stay at the house.
"No. And there are no prints on any of the letters. This creep knows what he's about."
Oscar nodded. Pushing away from his desk, he went to the bar to pour himself a shot of whiskey. "Can I offer you anything?"
"No, thanks. How's she?"
"Stubborn as a bloody mule. But I'm standing my ground." He brought the drink back and sat on the edge of the desk facing Margo. "I'm accompanying her to every doctor's appointment and will be sticking to her like glue."
Margo eyed him for a few seconds, her expression thoughtful.
"What?"
"He thinks he's in love with her."
His expression darkened. "He can bloody well think whatever he likes, if he touches her, I'll kill him."
Margo's brows lifted. "I'm pretty sure you should not be saying that to a cop."
"I'm saying that to a friend. And it's a fact. No one hurts her."
"As I was saying, he fancies himself in love with her. Which means you're the enemy, the one standing in his way."
Oscar quirked a brow in amusement. "That's just fine then, let him come at me. I want him to."
"I want you to be careful and smart. This guy could be anyone, and he's been doing this for a while.
In my experience, stalkers are harmless.
They get fixated on celebrities and after a time, they lose interest and go on to the next person.
This one is sticking. He's identified something in Kiara that appeals to him.
It might be sexual or not, but in his sick brain, she belongs to him. "
Tossing back the drink, he moved around to his desk and sat. "She has enough dealing with." Suddenly he felt the weariness invading his body. "I can take her out of the country. Force her to go to Ireland and stay with my parents."
"He'll just wait her out."
"Yeah." He rubbed at the headache brewing at his temple. "I thought of that too."
He stared into his glass, the amber liquid swirling slowly as he tried to collect his thoughts. The pub's din faded into the background, replaced by the persistent hum of anxiety. Each moment seemed heavier than the last; the sense that time was running out gnawed at his resolve.
Oscar knew that the easy solutions Margo offered were just that, easy, but not effective. This threat would not be outrun or ignored. Determined, he promised himself to stay vigilant, hoping that his instincts would keep Kiara safe as the shadows around them grew longer.
"I promise to stay on it. And check out all of these individuals. I just might come up with something."
"Thanks Margo."
"Of course." She rose. Pushing from his desk, he moved swiftly to open the door for her.
Touching his arm briefly, she smiled. "I know you'll keep her safe."
"Count on it."
Rounding his desk, he sat there for a minute, fingers tapping on the wood. She would be working now and would snarl at him for interrupting. So, let her snarl. He wanted to hear her voice.
Picking up the phone, he hit the speed dial. It took three rings for her to answer.
"What?"
A smile curved his lips at her rude response.
"It's customary to answer the phone by saying hello."
"What do you want? I'm working here."
"Just wanted to hear your beautiful voice." His grin widened when she swore.
"I thought we were staying away from that kind of language since the pregnancy."
"Oh bite me. What the hell do you want? Or should I guess? You're checking up on me. I'm in my office and your bodyguard is downstairs, as well as the housekeeper, who keeps popping in with some tray or the other. I told her the next time she comes into my office, I'm going to fire her."
"And what did she say to that?" Leaning back, he relaxed as he listened to her.
"She promptly told me she was following orders and will continue to do so. Oscar, call off your dogs."
He laughed softly, the tension easing a fraction.
"Not a chance. You know I can't let my guard down, not with everything that's happened.
" There was a pause, the kind that settled between them like an unspoken worry.
"Kiara, I need you to trust me on this. I won't let anything happen to you, no matter what. "
Her sigh on the other end was equal parts exasperation and affection, and for a moment, Oscar felt the weight of his promise anchor him, grounding the swirl of uncertainty that defined their days.
"I was thinking we could take a trip to Ireland for a few weeks." He added casually.
"Why? What's going on?"
"My parents are dying to spoil you."
"Not that I would not appreciate the gesture and the spoiling, but I have doctor's appointments. In case you've forgotten, I'm carrying twins and it is considered a high risk pregnancy."
He had thought of that. "There are competent doctors in Ireland."
"Be that as it may, I'm comfortable with this one. She knows my history."
"It's just a thought."
"You're worried."
"A little." He smiled when she snorted. "More than a little. I'll be home soon."
"I hate the fact that you have to cut your work short to come and babysit me."
"I enjoy the babysitting. Eat something."
"Yes mother."
"I love you."
His smile widened when she sighed. "I know."