Page 80 of Racing Hearts

With the good comes the bad, however, and when my phone vibrates, I sit up and accept the call without glancing at it.

“Alek,” the shaky voice says.

“Alice, what’s wrong?” I ask, instantly on high alert. Evan is right there with me, his eyes wide and worried. “Alice.”

“Can you come home?” she sobs. “Please, just come home.”

“I’ll be right there. Stay there.” I hang up and grab Evan, dragging him toward my car.

“What is it?” he asks. “Is she okay?”

“Something’s wrong,” I croak, terror making my heart race.

Please, whoever is listening, don’t hurt my sister just because I’m happy.

THIRTY-NINE

We arrive at Alek’s house in record time—I’m pretty sure he even dusted a cop that was chasing us—and he’s out of the car within seconds, racing toward the door. I’m hot on his heels, both of us bursting in to find a trembling Alice sitting on the couch, pointing at some flowers on the coffee table in front of her. My brows furrow, adrenaline pumping through my heart.

“What is it?” Alek asks, covering the distance and gripping her face. His love and worry for his sister pour from him. “Alice, talk to me. What happened?” He practically shakes her, his voice demanding and high-pitched.

“The flowers,” she whispers. “They were on the doorstep when I got back.”

“Flowers . . . You’re okay?” he asks. “Alice.”

“I’m okay, just read the note.” She seems to gather herself together. “I read it and freaked. I just wanted you home. I didn’t feel safe.”

Frowning, I stride over and take the note. “There’s no delivery address, which means someone dropped them off,” I observe as I flip the card open, my eyes widening as I scan the words. “Shit.”

“What? What does it say? I swear if some freaky boy has some ideas—” He heads my way, looking over my shoulder, going silent as soon as he reads it.

This isn’t some guy wanting to get in her pants.

This is a fucking stalker.

Alice, you looked so pretty today in the white dress. It’s my favorite thing you have worn. I don’t want others looking though. Don’t make me jealous or upset. Look what I had to do to those boys who tried to take you from me.

Yours always.

“Oh, this is some freaking stalker shit,” I hiss, and I hand the note to a furious Alek and head her way, wrapping my arms around her. “I’m so sorry, sweetie. We are here, and you’re safe. We’ll report it to the police right away. Don’t let it get to you.”

“He’s watching me, whoever it is. He knew what I was wearing. And it sounds like he hurt those two boys on campus?” she asks.

I share a worried look with Alek. “It could just be a bluff, someone playing a prank and trying to scare you.” I cup her face, wanting to reassure her. “But don’t worry, you won’t be alone. Whoever this is, Alek will hunt them down and kick their ass. You trust your brother to keep you safe, right?”

She nods, tears glistening in her eyes, so I brush them away and place a gentle kiss on her forehead. I like Alice, she’s like a little sister to me, and I hate seeing her upset. “We both will. Don’t worry.”

I meet Alek’s eyes over her head. He’s furious, fisting the card, but he mouths, “Thank you.”

I wink and hold her closer as he walks away to call the police. Whoever this is, joke or not, we have to report it. If what they said is true, then the person who murdered those two guys has set his sights on Alice.

The police were here for hours. They took the note and flowers away and left Alice with a contact number. I’m glad they are taking it seriously. I don’t think they would have if it hadn’t mentioned the two dead boys. Luckily, different officers than the ones who arrested me responded to the call, but I have no doubt they will find out and think I’m the one behind it again.

I’m exhausted, but we stay up with Alice since she doesn’t want to sleep. She’s curled up between us, a film playing on the TV. Alek’s arm is behind her on the sofa, mine too, and our hands are linked behind her head, his thumb stroking along mine.

An hour later, she finally falls asleep, and Alek slowly stands, scooping her into his arms like she’s a child before he heads upstairs. I follow and pull her comforter back as he lowers her into bed. We both tuck her in carefully, and I tap on her lamp in case she wakes up scared. We share a look over her head, a soft one, and then he offers me his hand.

“Come on, baby, time for bed.”

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