Page 76 of Forever Always

My vision was blurry around the edges as I read and then reread the note:

This is only the start of it. I’m watching every move. You can’t win. If you try to ruin me, I will come for you and everyone you love. When I’m finished, you’ll be in ruins, trying to piece together the scraps of your pathetic life. I will end it.

“Becks,” I whispered, horrified, but he wasn’t listening. He had a thick stack of photos in his hand and was looking at the one on top with dead eyes. I walked up to him and forced myself to keep it together. I gently took the stack from him, and he didn’t stop me.

There were so many pictures. Some of Becks and I together, walking to the bus stop, leaving the apartment, on the bus or subway. Some were of us alone. Me at the gas station. Me at the restaurant. Becks in the factory and at the bar. There were some of Jay too. Jay at the fuckin’ hospital. Jay and Dakota. Jay at the funeral home.

H-how long had he been watching us? Way longer than we thought. There were even pictures of us in our apartment. They looked like they were taken from a long range and through the window, but there was no mistaking Becks and I wrapped around each other on our bed.

Those weren’t the worst of them. As violating and terrifying as they were, it was nothing to the other, much older photos that would forever haunt my nightmares. I was staring at a picture of a much younger Beckett on his knees in an alley when a big SUV slowed down on the street in front of us. I could barely take my eyes away from the photos though. It was like watching a train wreck. Fuck, Becks couldn’t have been more than 12 or 13 in this picture. It looked like it was taken from a security camera in some kind of office. You couldn’t see the face of the man, but I’d know him anywhere. Mr. Chase.

The SUV came to a stop and Becks pushed me behind him, ready to fight. The window rolled down and I saw Wesley looking back at us, concerned.

“Are you guys okay?” He asked.

“Did you put it there?” Beckett snapped, waving the photos toward the car.

Wesley frowned. “I didn’t do anything. What is that?”

“We found this on the truck.”

Wes pulled away. Fuck, so much for him being there for me. But he didn’t drive away, he just pulled into the lot.

He got out of the car, scanning the lot, and holy fuck, was that a gun? I swallowed.

“Was that there when you got here?”

“Yeah,” I nodded.

We both watched, fascinated as Wesley walked around the truck and then started to check underneath.

“What the fuck are you doin’?” Beckett asked.

“I’m checking to make sure it wasn’t tampered with or no tracking devices were left on it.” The fuck?

Wes stood up, eyes on a swivel and hand still on his weapon. “It looks clear.”

I turned towards Beckett who looked broken.

“Riley . . . I . . .”

He needed me to tell him that everything was okay, but I couldn’t. Not anymore. I hugged him instead, so fuckin’ relieved when he returned it, and squeezed me tightly.

“He’s watchin’ us. All these years, he’s been watchin’ us. I—”

“Shh, baby. I know. I’m so, so sorry.” Because this was all my fault. He was waiting for us to try and make a move on him, and as soon as I tried to do anything, this happened. Why couldn’t I just leave shit alone?

“Can I see them?” We jumped apart when Wesley spoke. I forgot he was even there.

“No fuckin’ way,” I snapped, hiding the photos behind my back like a small child trying to keep something from their parents. I stood in front of Beckett like I would have a fuckin’ chance, but I needed to keep him safe.

Wes held his hands out in front of him. I noticed he put the gun away. “Not like that, Ri. I saw the letter.” I realized he was holding it. “I can help if you let me.”

I shook my head. No, this was a family matter, nothing to do with him. “There’s nothin’ any of us can do.” He wasn’t seeing Beckett like this. I wouldn’t allow it.

Wes stayed calm, relaxed, like this was just another day for him. I guessed maybe it was? I really didn’t know what he did now that he was in the civilian world.

“I have connections, Riley. This note sounds like someone is stalking you. If that’s true, then I can help. This is what I do.”

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