Page 38 of Reckless Flames

Ben nodded, his expression grim. “Yeah. He pulled a DMV photo. I want you to take a look, see if you recognize him.”

He turned the screen toward us, displaying a photo of a man with an all-too-familiar face. My stomach dropped as recognition dawned on me. “Shit,” I breathed out, the curse slipping out before I could stop it. “I’ve seen him. Around the café a couple of times. Always thought he was just a regular, but...”

Madi leaned in for a closer look, her brow furrowed. “That’s the guy? The one who’s been making your life hell?”

Ben tucked his phone away, his jaw set. “Looks like it. But now that we have a name and a face, we can do something about it.”

“What is his name?” I asked.

“Derek Williams.”

“Williams! Then he was the guy at the book signing. I didn’t remember what he looked like.”

The room was thick with tension, the three of us now united by a common purpose.

“What’s the plan, then?” Madi asked, her voice steady despite the undercurrent of concern.

Ben ran a hand through his hair. “First, we show this picture to everyone—starting with the security guys and then the police. Then, let’s see if the police will bring this guy in for questioning. If they don’t, for whatever reason—they may not even be able to find him, then I’ve got a backup plan. I’m not taking any chances.”

I felt a surge of gratitude for Ben’s protectiveness, mixed with a rising tide of anxiety at the thought of facing my stalker. “And what about me? Is there anything I should do?”

“Any chance I can keep you locked up in the house? Seriously though, be alert at all times,” Ben advised, his gaze locking with mine. “And keep a low profile when you’re out and about. We don’t want him to have any access to you, but we also don’t want to spook him before the cops have a chance to step in.”

Madi, ever the protective sister, chimed in, “And I’m sticking around. No way I’m leaving you to deal with this crap alone.”

I couldn’t help but smile at her fierce loyalty, a welcome light in the midst of the gathering storm. “Thanks, Madi. It means a lot, having you here.”

As Madi and Ben continued to strategize, a thought struck me, casting a shadow over the newfound resolve we’d just established. The timing couldn’t have been worse, with Madi’s wedding just around the corner. The last thing I wanted was for my problems to overshadow her big day.

“Wait,” I interjected, my voice cutting through their conversation. “Madi, your wedding. We can’t let this...mess spill over into your plans. It’s your day, and it should be perfect.”

Madi turned to me, her expression a mix of determination and concern. “Soph, I appreciate that, but we’re talking about your safety here. The wedding can take a backseat if it needs to.”

I shook my head, adamant. “No, absolutely not. This is a once-in-a-lifetime moment for you, and I won’t be the reason it’sanything less than you’ve dreamed of. We’ll deal with this stalker situation without letting it interfere.”

Ben, who had been silently following our exchange, nodded. “Sophie's right. We’ll handle the situation discreetly. The last thing we want is to cause a panic or draw unwanted attention.”

I could see the protest forming on Madi’s lips and hurried to reassure her. “Listen, maybe we can beef up security but still keep it low-key, especially around the wedding events. The focus should be on you and your happiness, not on...this.”

“Is that possible?” I asked Ben. He nodded.

Madi’s eyes softened, and she reached out to squeeze my hand, her gratitude evident. “Thanks, Soph. But you’re part of this family too, and your safety is just as important as any wedding.”

I smiled, touched. “I know, and I promise we’re taking this seriously. But let’s not give this guy the power to ruin what should be the happiest day of your life.”

Ben interjected, practical as ever. “We’ll coordinate with the venue’s security team, make sure they’re on high alert without making it obvious to the guests. And I’ll have a few of my own guys stationed discreetly around the perimeter.”

The plan sounded solid, and I felt a flicker of hope that we could indeed manage this crisis without casting a shadow over Madi’s wedding. “See? We’ve got this under control. Now, let’s focus on the happy stuff, like finalizing your playlist and taste-testing the cake.”

Madi laughed, the sound a balm to the tension that had filled the room moments before. “Alright, alright. You win. But Sophie, promise me you’ll speak up if things get too much, okay? The last thing I want is for you to feel like you have to handle this all on your own.”

I nodded, the knot of anxiety in my stomach easing slightly. “I promise. And hey, with Ben’s security detail, I’ll be the safest maid of honor in history.”

We shared a laugh, the warmth and familiarity of our bond a stark contrast to the cold threat that loomed outside. But in that moment with Madi and Ben, I felt a surge of courage. No matter what lay ahead, we would face it together, and not even the darkest of shadows could dim the light of Madi’s upcoming celebration.

Chapter twenty-two

Ben

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