Page 39 of Hero's Prize

Tony cut into another bite of pancake. “I get it, but now’s not a great time to disappear. We want to capitalize on your uptick in popularity since the avalanche. Continue to use it for growth and get you to the next level.”

“I had plenty of followers before the avalanche, and to be honest, I’m not interested in those who just started to follow me because they are tragedy-chasers. That’s not what we’re all about.”

Tony nodded. “I know that, but if we are able to convert some of those people into true fans, then we can double your base and have even more options available to us. Hell, man…films, TV series. Next-level stuff.”

And none of that interested Colton even the slightest bit. For him, doing stunts had always been about the love of the outdoors and pitting himself against nature. He’d been very blessed that he could make a living doing that, but making himself into some sort of social media superstar had never been his goal.

“I haven’t taken a break since the accident. I’m taking one now.”

Rick scrunched up his face so much he looked like a cartoon character. “Here? You’re going to take a breakhere? Why don’t you take a break in Rio or on an island in Fiji or, hell, somewhere that has an actual chain restaurant rather than this diner.”

Now, Colton was starting to get a little bit offended.

But before he could say anything, Tony slid Rick’s plate away from him and stood so the other man could get out of the booth. “Why don’t you go inventory the equipment we brought with us, Rick?”

Rick made a face. “Dude, we only brought like three cameras and some basic editing stuff.”

Tony gestured toward the door. “Then you should be able to count it multiple times and think about how not to be an asshole while doing it.”

Rick muttered under his breath as he slid out of the seat and walked toward the door. Tony sat back down, shaking his head.

“Sorry. Rick is a hell of a cameraman but obviously not much when it comes to tact.”

“Thanks for getting him out of here before I had to do it myself.”

“He’s just young and stupid.”

“As I once was myself.” Colton held up his coffee cup in salute to Tony.

“Same, my friend.” The other man picked up his water glass and clinked Colton’s cup. “Also, Rick is a little stressed about the stalker situation. Another reason you probably shouldn’t have just run off. You got another letter, and then no one knew exactly where you were.”

Shit. He hadn’t thought about how this whole stalker thing might affect his absence for everyone else. Generally speaking, he’d always been able to just get up and go for a couple of days whenever he wanted to, and as long as there hadn’t been a stunt scheduled, nobody cared.

“I’m sorry if I worried you or anybody else. That wasn’t my intent. Was there anything different or special about the letter that came?”

Tony took out his tablet and spun it around so Colton could see a picture of it.

“Not much, except for the fact that it was twice in one week. And, unless I’m mistaken, her phrasing is starting to get a little stronger.”

Colton nodded while he read. “A little more desperate.”

“Exactly.”

My dearest Colton,

I dream of you nearly every night now. And thank God every day that you are alive. I know that’s true because we are supposed to meet and because we will be together forever.

It won’t be long now. I can feel it, can’t you? I wonder if you dream of me also. You do, don’t you? That’s the way it’s meant to be.

I can’t wait until we can hold each other forever. One lifetime isn’t enough with you. But it’s a start.

“There’s still no threat.” Colton handed Tony back his tablet. “Creepy as fuck, but still no threat.”

“Drenched in the same perfume and placed outside the office doors this time.”

Colton grimaced. “She’s doing her research. Finding out more about me.”

“I’m not sure whether to be truly worried, but I think you should watch your back. And definitely don’t take anyone you don’t know back to your hotel room.”

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