Page 112 of Fallen Princess: Shadow Stalker

Initially, I clung to the hope that it was just some deranged ex-fan stalking us, but Rick had meticulously updated all the security systems on the property.

This house was supposed to be secure.

Just like my house in Bel Air was.

Just like the private party at the bar with our hired bodyguards who were supposed to protect us. Yet, I was roofied, abducted, and held against my will for days.

This camera was deliberate. It was meant to be found.Henever makes mistakes.

It’s a chilling reminder to let me know he’s back.

“Eden?”

A knock on the door startles me, and I quickly wipe the tears I hadn't realized I had shed.

“I’ll be out in a minute,” I call out, dropping the sheet and hastily start dressing.

“That’s fine, babe. Rick’s inside the bedroom.”

“Okay,” I respond, glancing at my reflection in the mirror. Despite a day of uninterrupted sleep, the dark circles under my eyes and the pallor of my skin are unmistakable.

Grabbing my toothbrush and toothpaste, I ready myself both mentally and physically for the impending battle I'm willingly thrusting myself into. If my stalker believes I won't fight back this time, he's sorely mistaken.

"Fuck you," I whisper defiantly into the reflection.

This time, it's war.

Chapter 30

“What’s that?” I askas Rick brings at arm's length a vase of red roses through the door and settles it on the console table.

“It was delivered just now at the gates. The courier used the buzzer, and I checked him out. The delivery truck and the floral company are legit. There’s a card attached. I already opened it, and it’s addressed to Ms. Rivers.”

I take the handwritten black card and open it. Asher approaches us in the foyer.

“What’s all this?” He asks but judges the severity of seriousness on my and Rick’s faces; he remains silent, standing next to me, reading the handwritten card with white ink.

In the city of angels, where dreams unfold,

A journey awaits, secrets untold.

Through streets paved with stars, your path aligns,

Follow the verses where each red bloom shines.

“What the bloody fuck is this?” Ash remarks, his brows shooting skyward in a split-second reaction, stepping away, looking at the flowers and back at us.

“Get Eden down here,” I mutter angrily. Earlier, we found the camera in Eden’s room, Rick did a sweep of the entire house and didn’t find any further devices.

“Make a copy of this note and alert the authorities,” I tell Rick. He nods and takes out his phone, snaps a couple of photos, and steps outside the front door.

Fuck, this is getting dangerously serious, I swipe my hand over my brow in thought. We should be focused on arranging dates for recording our next single, instead, we’re chasing some sick fuck who’s making not just Eden’s life hell but ours too.

Whoever this asshole is, they know their way around security systems. Eden’s home in Bel Air was secure like a fortress. She mentioned that she was in the safe room, and he managed to find it, open it, and drag her out at knifepoint. He’s not playing games this time and upped his ante by taking the dog.

I watch Eden appear at the top of the stairs as she descends with Jagger and Asher behind her. Callum walks in from out back, the air around him has a sweet-smelling tobacco fragrance. He must have been having a smoke in the rear garden.

“What’s going on,” his eyes are drawn to us, and the concern on my face is evident. He gazes at the vase and picks up the card. His face immediately goes from curious to irritated, and tosses the card back on the table.

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