Page 25 of Silk and Steel

“He was small-minded. Just like you. I send you a gift and you just throw it on the floor?”

I lean forward, my blood burning hot in my veins. I liked hearing the hurt in his voice.

“That’s right, Julian. I threw your denim monstrosity right where it belongs.”

I look over at the dress. My heart stops beating for a moment, then thuds with renewed vigor.

How did he know I’d thrown the dress on the floor?

“Who’s the big guy walking around your place? Is he your new boyfriend? Bad timing on his part, because he’s going to have to die, too.”

I whip my gaze around the bedroom. Where was it? Where had he hidden the camera? I knew he wasn’t inside. Cole had made sure.

Hadn’t he?

“Oh, I love seeing you this scared, Emmy. Now you’re looking around, and getting up off the bed…”

“Shut up! Why can’t you leave me alone?”

“Because you’re mine, Emmy. Now and forever.”

“I don’t belong to anyone, and the next time I give my heart away, it will be someone who deserves it!”

I jam my finger on the red icon and then put my phone in airplane mode so he can’t call back. I run out into the hall.

“Cole!”

No one answers. My house feels oddly empty and occupied at the same time. Even if Julian isn’t here physically, he’s here in spirit. His malevolence hangs over everything. It’s like being in a haunted house.

I run down the hall, calling out again.

“Cole? Cole, are you in here?”

I make it down the stairs and around the corner before I collide with another body. Before the scream reaches my lips, I realize it’s Cole.

“Are you all right?”

I clutch at him, my hands grabbing his arms.

“Cole, he’s watching us! He’s watching us right now!”

“I know. I found a camera. But it looks like it runs through your Wi-Fi.”

“What does that mean?”

“Change your password and you’ll blind him. So to speak.”

I log into my account, and change my password. It takes several tries.

“For god’s sake, do I have to use hieroglyphs? What was wrong with that password?”

Once that’s done, I turn a frown on Cole.

“Now what? Do you think your hacker friend can help?”

He stares at the camera in his hand, and then closes his fist over it.

“I hope so. Looks like we need to go back to the office.”

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