Page 42 of His Sinner

Skepticism narrows Trevor’s gaze. He’s still convinced that Saint is behind all of this. Like it’s not possible for me to have two stalkers.

“She’s Austin’s sister,” I explain. “I guess she somehow thinks I’m involved in Austin’s death, so she’s been following me.”

I relay all of the information to Dan—April following me to campus, watching me through a window, breaking in and chasing me through the house, the repeated silent phone calls, the creepy texts, destroying my car window, showing up at my house demanding to know more about the night Austin died.

Dan scribbles it all down, nodding. The first time a police officer has truly listened and taken me seriously. “Thank you, Briar. If you want to come down to the station sometime, we’ll make an official report.”

“Thank you. That would be great.” Maybe I’ll actually get this crazy girl off my back. For the first time in a while, hope fills my chest. This is almost over.

Once Officer Dan shakes Trevor’s hand and heads back to the parking lot, I smile at my friend. “Thanks for that. It felt good to have someone in law enforcement actually take me seriously for once.”

“You really should follow up on that report,” he encourages before chewing on his lip. “But Briar...”

“What?”

“Are you sure this April chick is actually stalking you?”

I narrow my eyes. “I know she’s been following me. I’ve seen her car. It was the same black BMW in my driveway when she showed up at my house.”

“Yeah, but are you sure she’s responsible for everything else? The texts, the calls? How would she have even gotten your number?” he asks. “You already know your student has it.”

My hands ball into fists. “Oh my god. This is still about Saint? Yes, he was stalking me before, okay? But he’s not behind any of that. He didn’t stalk me to scare me or hurt me. And that’s what this person is doing. That’s what April has been doing.”

I appreciate everything Trevor has done to help me. But he has this completely wrong. Saint wouldn’t terrorize me like this.

He loves me.

And I . . . I may love him too.

Trevor sighs and shakes his head. “I hope you’re right, Briar,” he says. “I really hope he doesn’t hurt you.”

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

SAINT

April Emmons is no stalker. She’s a twenty-two-year-old law school student, now the singular heir to her father’s firm.

Zayden’s voice drones in my ear. “She should be ordering an iced lavender latte.”

From the sidewalk, my gaze zeros in on the blonde in a ponytail holding a latte, a laptop bag slung over her opposite shoulder as she pushes her way out of the coffee shop.

“Your skills are disturbing,” I inform him. Even from another country, Zayden is capable of accessing an American’s credit card transactions and daily routine.

“And yet you always seem to be in need of them. Do you have eyes on her?”

“I do. I’ll be in touch.” I end the call and tuck my phone in my pocket.

April hesitates when I approach her, but she relaxes when I flash her a smile. “Mind if I bother you a moment?”

“Is it bothering if I welcome it?” she simpers, shielding her gaze against the bright sun.

I can’t force the smile to stay glued to my face. No woman should believe I want anything from her. My muse is everything I could want or desire. April is of no use to me other than the information she can provide. “I understand that you believe the last person to see your brother, Austin, alive could be the one responsible for his death.”

April’s demeanor shifts from flirtatious interest to irritated skepticism. “I might. Who’s asking?”

“I’m a private investigator looking into the case.”

Her eyes narrow. “My family hasn’t hired any private investigators.”

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