Page 8 of Hayden's Stalker

“Sorry, do you want me next to you?” I ask, remembering what she said earlier.

Tatiana smiles at me. “No, this is fine for now. So, there are a couple of practical matters to discuss. I’ve been notified that your deposit was placed in escrow. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

I smile at her. Security is meant to be covered under our recording contract with Sierra, but I organized the deposit myself. They’ll still pay her fee, but I wanted to be the one to make that commitment.

“Some clients want me to organize my own food and eat separately from them, which I’m fine with. Others share meals with me, and I’m happy to pay for my share of food in that case.”

“Oh, god, of course you can eat with me. Don’t worry about paying me anything, either. People really make you buy your own food?”

I’m astounded that people can be so rude, but I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised.

Tatiana laughs her musical laugh. “Yeah, one didn’t even want me to use their fridge. I made them buy me one, as well as a microwave to put in my room, then lived off microwavable food for two and a half months.”

“Hey, they kind of asked for it.” I grin at her, thinking she must have worked for some serious assholes.

“Yup. So, next thing,howdo you get your groceries?”

I’m not sure I understand her question. “I buy them?”

“From the store? Do you go and get your own groceries? That’s what I’m asking.”

“Oh, yeah. Jesse goes with me, though.”

Tatiana nods. “Not anymore. We’ll order groceries online, and they’ll be delivered. You won’t go near the elevator. Ever. Not even if we know who is here. I very much dislike that the elevator opens straight into your apartment. Luckily the tour starts soon, or you’d have to move.”

“You’d make me move?” I’m surprised by this.

“Yes. As I’ve said before, I don’t play games. There’s a reason I’m the best. Because of the elevator, we can’t be too far apart in this apartment. I’m going to have a locksmith come out immediately to add a lock to your bedroom door. You will lock yourself in there when you sleep and when I need to shower.”

I get a vivid image in my head of Tatiana naked in the shower, with water streaming over her body, and my jaw tightens because it’s an incredibly inappropriate thought to have about her.

“You will keep your phone on you at all times. In the unlikely event that someone is trying to enter your bedroom while you’re alone in there, you will call me right away. I don’t care if you know who it is. I don’t care if you recognize their voice. You will not open the door, do you understand?”

When she says she doesn’t play games, I guess she means it, but this seems excessive, and I frown at her. “That’s crazy. What if it’s one of the guys?”

Tatiana raises an eyebrow at me. “Do you mean one of the men whose voices have been recorded and broadcast worldwide for any person to download and sample at leisure?”

My blood runs cold as I realize that this would never have occurred to me in a million years, and it highlights how easily someone could’ve tricked me if she hadn’t pointed it out.

“Shit, I’d never thought of that.” I’m pretty sure I won’t ever trust the guy’s voices again now.

“Exactly, and I’m here so that you don’t have to.”

I frown, and I have to ask her, “Is my stalker really going to try and kill me, though?”

“My goal is for them to never get close enough to try.”

I wanted her to just say ‘no’ to that. As much as I would’ve preferred it, I also appreciate her honesty.

“The threat is real, though, Hayden. They’ve already run you off the road once, which brings me to my next point. I drive. Always. Not Jesse and definitely not you.”

I’m about to agree with her because this makes sense, but my phone starts buzzing on the table in front of me, and the words ‘Blake Stirling’ show up on the screen.

“Hey, Blake,” I answer with a frown because he knows I’m busy tonight, so I wasn’t expecting him to call..

“Hi, sexy. Want to come to Club Delirium with me tonight?”

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