Page 94 of The Stalker

13

The Fallout

Tatiana woke the next morning,and immediately, everything from last night came rushing back to her. She’d kissed Hayden, and it had been so good.

But you shouldn’t have done it.

Tatiana knew she should regret doing it, but she didn’t. She had, however, walked away from Hayden to the door of the hotel suite as soon as their kiss ended. It had been as far as she could go without losing sight of him. She’d called Jesse and scurried off to her bed the second he’d arrived.

Now she had to face Hayden. She had a shower and got dressed. Her cramps weren’t as bad this morning, so she didn’t need to take any painkillers, at least. She pulled out her laptop and had a look through her emails. Her heart thudded as she opened one near the top of the list.

FW: Hayden Vega latest email

Miss Swanson,

Hayden received the attached email last night. As usual, the authorities can’t trace its origin, and the email address is spoofed.

Call me ASAP to discuss.

Cooper Powell

Attached to the email was the one from the stalker. Tatiana read it and her blood ran cold. The stalker seemed to be suffering from delusions of grandeur, and they spoke as though there was some plan to be together. It wasn’t a dream or a desire, but as though it was an inevitability.

It concerned her because she felt as though the stalker had something in motion. Tatiana had been playing fast and loose with Hayden’s safety. She was so busy flirting with him that she had allowed herself to forget the very real threat facing him.

She called Cooper and he answered at once. “Miss Swanson, you got my email?”

“Yes. When was it sent?”

“Ten thirty-four. The investigators said there’s no rhyme or reason to the times they’re sent, and they think the stalker is doing it on purpose. It makes it hard to nail down a possible time zone.”

Fucking stalkers. This one is a clever one, too.

She would have to ensure there was never a time when Hayden was exposed and available for any unknown plan to be enacted.

“So, I’m assuming that means there are no leads yet?” she asked Cooper.

“None that I’ve been told about. Any signs of security issues on the tour?”

Yes. One Tatiana Swanson, focusing too much on her desire to fuck the man instead of keeping him safe.

“Aside from the flowers the first night, nothing. Did they give you any insight into what they thought the meaning was behind them thinking they’ll be with Hayden at some point?”

“Nothing. They told me very little, forwarded the email, and suggested I get in touch with you.”

Tatiana frowned and said, “Very helpful. I know why, but it’s still frustrating to be out of the loop.”

“True. Well, I’ll let you know if anything else arises, and you keep me informed if anything happens at your end.”

Fear for Hayden’s safety spiked in her system, but she pushed it down and said, “Will do. Speaking of, I should go and relieve Jesse from the night shift.”

“I trust you’ll keep this information to yourself to prevent Hayden from being concerned by it.”

Tatiana’s jaw tightened, and she shook her head, because she still thought this was a poor decision, but she bit out, “Of course.”

“Well, if there’s nothing else, I’ll call you if anything happens,” Cooper said, and without giving her a chance to respond, he ended the call.

Tatiana shook her head and slid her phone into her pocket. She reread the email the stalker had sent, hating it just as much the second time around.

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