Page 46 of Undercover Desires

Rafael takes a deep breath. “I unearthed a cache of explicit photos and videos of Arabella. They look like images from a home video camera of some sort. I don’t think she would have had any idea he was filming her.”

My heart races, fear kicking in. He’s been filming her.

“It’s obvious he’s been stalking her for a long time. Also, I found text messages and emails that indicate an unhealthy obsession with her. The back and forth on her Facebook account alone is obsessive. She asks him repeatedly to move on with his life like she has. But it’s not just that. The apartment you sent me to investigate still looks like she’s living there. Women’s clothes in the closet and a framed picture of them together by the bed. From the messages, it looks like they have split up, but if that’s the case, why is all her stuff still there? I have seen shit like this before, Kobe. It suggests a disturbing pattern of harassment.”

Anger and deep concern surge through me. The fucking creep. This is the type of shit she should know about. It would put a stop to her paying his bills for him. Give her the closure she needs to really move on. But I can’t tell her what I found, not without coming off like a stalker myself. The difference is I was looking into this shit for her safety. He has an unhealthy obsession with her. “This is fucking disturbing stuff. I bet he was the guy I found lurking around her house,” I say, my voice hushed so the couple in the next booth over don’t catch on to my conversation. “Can you send me a picture of him?”

“Done.”

I check my phone, and the image he’s sent through flashes up on the screen. He’s in a hoody walking out of a building with a blonde on his arm, sporting one hell of a broken nose. “Yeah, that’s the bastard.”

“Looks like he’s been shadowing Arabella around Palm Springs and closely monitoring her activities. Receipts, scribbled notes of addresses. It’s as if he’s been living in her shadow.”

“Even now that she has moved two hours away?” I clench my fist, my anger boiling at the thought of someone violating her privacy in such a way.

“Unfortunately. There are photos of her house in Palm Springs, some of her in workout gear, and another of her stepping out of the shower. I also found receipts from the café just up the road from her house. You know the place, Caffeine Corner.”

I glance around, wondering if the creep is here right now, but I don’t see any sign of him. “They broke up six months ago. What the fuck is wrong with this guy? And why the hell would her shit still be at his place? Did she have to leave in the middle of the night or something?” As I talk, I get up and stroll out the front, leaning on the brick wall, just in case.

“That’s what I was assuming, as well, and he’s just kept the place the same.”

“I warned him when I found him at her place, but I think it’s time to make it more obvious she’s under our protection. Get one of our guys to pay him a visit, scare the shit out of him. Make sure he knows if he steps foot in this town or comes anywhere near her, he will leave in a body bag,” I growl out, my voice dark with a promise, surprising even myself how serious I am about this. If he lays a hand on her, he’s a dead man.

“Done,” he agrees.

“Good work, Rafael,” I commend him. I want him to join our team. His years of experience on the force have given him invaluable skills. He would make an excellent addition to our team. I know Leo agrees.

“Sorry it wasn’t better news.” He disconnects the call.

Anger and adrenaline course through my veins, the urge to hit something palpable. I glance at my phoneand realize Jett's second training session of the day is about to begin. I decide to join him again, putting my business at The Joker on hold.

I spot Bella’s front door opening and quickly make my way back inside the café, tossing back my now lukewarm coffee and offering a grateful wave to Moreen.

“Kobe, wait,” she calls after me, handing me a brown bag. “Your muffin.” Her warm smile reassures me.

I kiss her cheek. “Thank you.” I manage to smile back. “Can you do me a favor?”

“Anything for you, Kobe,” she says, her voice tinged with the deep bond we've formed over the years.

I take a deep breath, my anxiety bubbling to the surface. “See the house across the road?”

Her eyes narrow in concern as she glances across the street. “The old one, I see it.”

“Keep an eye on it. If you see anything odd, call me right away, okay?” I say with a hint of desperation. She's here day in and day out and knows a lot about what goes on in this town. If the dirtbag starts lurking again, she'll be onto it.

“Should I be worried about something?” Moreen's voice carries genuine concern.

“Just keep an eye on the girl for me.”

“Bella?” she asks, her eyebrows furrowing in curiosity.

She knows her. That's a relief. “Yes, Bella. Does she come in here?”

“Sometimes. She's so thin, I don't think she eats much. I try to fatten her up, but she won't let me. She's stubborn, that one.”

I chuckle, but my anxiety still lingers. “She is.” I hand her a wad of cash, my fingers trembling slightly. “Feed her on me. Don't take no for an answer.”

Moreen accepts the money with a knowing smile. “Kobe Rivera. I never thought I would see the day when you fell for a girl.”

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