Page 65 of Protector

CHAPTERTWENTY-THREE

Shay

I lie next to my mom on her bed as we watch a rerun ofFriends, just like old times. It was her favorite show, and something about her laughter when we watched it always made me feel so at ease, like she was just my mother, and I was just her daughter. So, I’m grateful the last couple days we’ve made a point to spend a little time together like this.

Mom reaches over and squeezes my hand, and I look at her and smile. It’s as if we have nothing to do in the moment when there are a dozen things I should be doing to get ready for tomorrow.

After Brooks and I had another meeting with the detectives this morning, we came back to the house, and I just couldn’t fathom facing anything else. We were hoping they’d have found Stalker Sam before the show, but of course, they haven’t had much luck tracking him down.

Brooks is outside, checking the perimeter and also checking in with the security at the main gate. They have all the information we have on Aaron Murphy, the man who has been stalking me. The name was the easiest to uncover with a quick phone call by Brooks to Brendan, who was more than happy to help, according to Brooks. He also said he never saw or heard from Aaron again after that first semester they roomed together. Apparently, after that fateful night, when Aaron beat him up pretty good after walking in on us, they avoided each other for the rest of that semester, before Brendan was able to secure a new spot to live. Of course, he never reported the guy because then he’d have to go into details of what happened that night between the two of us.

Once we had the name and Brooks gave it to the detective, we got the standard spiel about being patient and “we’ll do everything we can…” and “these things take time,” but when we met with Detective Souza again today, I had hope they would at least have some leads and be close to getting him.

According to the detective, Aaron’s last known address was a house he was renting in Thousand Oaks. The landlord reported he gave no notice and was just gone one day about six months ago. His last employer, a tech firm where he was a software engineer, fired him over a year ago. Ironically, the company developed a medieval video game calledKingdom of Honor,in which the knights have to fight various bad guys to rescue their “princess.”

When the commercial comes on, Mom doesn’t pass it and instead, mutes the TV and twists her body to face me. “Sweetie, I’m going to ask you this one more time. Are you sure you want to do this?“

Nodding, I tell her, “I know you’re scared. And I am, too, but this is something I have to do. Brooks won’t let anything happen to me.”

Her eyes drift away, and I can see the doubt in them.

“I know you don’t like him, but he cares about me, and I trust him with my life.“

“It’s not that I don’t like him. I’m sorry, Shaylene, but I don’t trust anybody with your life. Your father agrees with me.”

“You spoke with Dad?”

She gives me a pointed look. “I know… Thought maybe he could talk some sense into you. You know, he’s saying he’s going to come back to the states because of this.”

“What? He didn’t tell me that.” I spoke with him when I got back from the cabin so he’d know what was happening. I don’t know how I feel about this, but it’s also not something I have the time or mental energy to analyze. “As much as I want to see them both, I don’t wantthisto be the reason they come back.”

“You know Dad’s family has…connections. They can protect you and—”

“Mom, no. I have to think about my career and…just please tell him to hold off. I understand your concern, but it’s not just going to be Brooks., you know the brands will have their bodyguards there and—”

“We both know those guys are nothing more than glorified bouncers.”

“Yeah, but it all helps. They’ll be a deterrent, at least. And Detective Souza said he would have an officer there as well. They just can’t go all out on this when they really don’t have any evidence that Aaron is going to be there. And maybe he won’t.”

“I hate hearing his name. It was better when you called him Stalker Sam.”

I get it. The name makes him real. And I’m sure it doesn’t help that it reminds her of the whole story I confessed to her the moment I returned with Brooks from hiding out. It was difficult for both of us, but after we talked it through and I pleaded with her not to feel guilty, we ended up in a good place.

But now, I can see my mom fighting the tears. Thankfully, it’s only a few moments, and then she pulls her expression into the strong and determined businesswoman I know she is. She pushes herself up straighter on the bed.

“Well, all right then. Let’s just pray with all the cameras rolling, all the security, this guy is not going to risk anything.”

I stay silent, simply nod, though part of me is hoping he’ll do just that because I’m not sure how much longer I can live in fear. I just want this over.

“And speaking of cameras,” Mom continues, “they’re going to shoot some footage for the show because Taylor is going to be attending the event, so it’ll be a great place for the two of you to be seen together.”

I manage a smile, wishing I were more excited about all this. I should and would be if not for…him. “Yeah. She and I spoke yesterday, and we are actually going to get together soon and talk about the new line as well.”

We spend the next few minutes on our laptops, the show still running in the background and us half watching it. And as we each take care of business in our own way, so everything is in place for tomorrow, I can’t help but note the irony of the situation. I’ve spent the last couple years somewhat on the defensive when it came to managing our business relationship versus our familial one. But in this moment, with my mother by my side, the show tomorrow, and everything that is at stake, I wouldn’t have it any other way. It doesn’t matter how old you are, if you have a parent to lean on when you truly need to, it’s a blessing not to be taken for granted.

* * *

I allow myself ten minutes of peace, waking up in Brooks’s arms in the one-bedroom casita, replaying the beautiful yet emotional moment we had last night. As Brooks made love to me, the emotions he elicited in me were so powerful, I needed to acknowledge them, hear myself say them out loud, even if it meant Brooks wouldn’t say the same to me.

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