Page 124 of Reckless

I thought being back here was going to make my anxiety spike, but it didn’t happen. I might be alone, for now, but I have a lot to look forward to. We may not be blood, but Paul and I will be that kid’s uncle too. I’m excited to hear the music Paul is creating up in San Francisco.

My mood only gets better when Krista calls. She sounds a little drunk, which is adorable. She’s happy, so I’m happy. I’m even happier when she sends me a picture of her bare legs, the tiniest hint of lace between her thighs.

My dick springs up instantly. She’s such a damn tease. She doesn’t leave me wanting though, well, for her touch maybe, but we get each other off anyway.

I’m surprised the following morning by a text from Luther asking to meet. He says he can be at the house in fifteen minutes. I agree despite it being nine AM, slip into some sweats and head to the kitchen.

A housekeeper comes around to keep the place in order while I’m away. She’s stocked the fridge for me so I happily get to making omelets, something I never would have been able to do before I met Krista.

Luther is surprised when he arrives but accepts a plate and a coffee. We sit at the kitchen counter eating, making as much small talk as Luther is able to manage.

“What’s up?” I ask after we finish the food.

“I didn’t want to bring it up while you were on the road," he starts, then pauses with a frown. "There was a reason I was following you so closely.”

Unease ripples down my spine at the look on his face. I mean, he usually looks like this, but there is something extra in it.

“What do you mean?”

“We’ve intercepted some mail. Disturbing messages on blogs and social media. And when we found your phone near the hotel, there were messages on there.”

“My number got leaked? What messages?”

“I can get into the detail of it later if you want, but, it looks like another stalker.”

“Fuck.” I run a hand through my hair. “I really don’t need to deal with this right now. How bad is it?”

“We’re working on it. We were watching out for anyone while you were with Krista, but saw nothing that caused us to believe she was nearby.”

"That's why you were following me? Because you were worried this stalker would find me. How the hell would they find me? No one knew where I was."

"From some things she was saying, it appeared as if she did."

Krista. Shit. Stalkers are notorious for believing they’re in a relationship with the person they stalk.

“We haven't heard anything for a week or two. We think she lost track of you," Luther goes on.

“Think?” I interrupt him and get off my seat. “Luther, thinking isn’t good enough. What if she knew where we were? How dangerous is she?”

He looks as if he doesn’t want to tell me. “Riggs is still in Chicago.”

They’re worried about Krista.

“Why the fuck didn’t you tell me this before I left her?” I yell.

“Because we felt it best to get you back home, where it’s easier to make sure you’re protected. Then last night we identified her through one of her social media aliases.”

“So you know who it is? Where is she? What about Krista? Fucking hell, Luther," I growl, pacing in front of him. I can't believe he kept this from me. It all makes sense now, the way he was while he was traveling with us. I've seen him alert but he was hyper alert these past few days.

“Riggs is there,” he repeats.

“That’s not fucking good enough. Who is she? Do you have a picture?”

I’m almost tearing my hair out at the roots when Luther pulls out his phone. How could he not fucking tell me I have another stalker? I’m going to fire his ass as soon as this is over. I’m on the verge of punching him when he hands me his phone.

The blood drains out of my face, and my heart stops. I look up at him. “I met her.”

“What? When?” He looks shocked, his back straightening.

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