Page 34 of Stalked

“When are you going to leave?”

“In the morning.”

Kyler nods his head. “I’ll arrange for a car.”

“No, I’ll take one of mine. I don’t want to risk there being a tracker on it. I’ll get in contact with Salem on the way, and text Aziza to make sure no one can trace the call. I want you to stay in the city. Keep your ears alert for anything. Dad, Mom, and Blake are coming into town in a few days. I’ll have them meet us at Salem’s.”

“Dimitri’s not going to like that.”

Rolling my eyes, I can’t help but chuckle. Ever since Salem and Zane met over seventeen years ago, Salem has been a thorn in my father’s side. I’m not sure why he deals with it, but I can’t help but think it’s because he’s scared of her. Even a part of me is terrified of the things she can do.

“Blakes coming to town?” Kyler laughs.

“I swear if something–”

“Dude, she’s seventeen, and she’s more like a little sister. We just like to rile you up.”

Glaring over at my best friend, I watch his smile slowly fade in seconds. “I’ll kill you.”

“I k–”

“Kyler, I’ll murder you. Slowly and very painfully, I will keep you alive as I remove your guts.”

His eyes widen, and there’s a slight tick in his jaw and a pull as he bites his inner cheek. I’ve never threatened him like this, but maybe he doesn’t understand, even though my sister annoys me like any sibling would, she’s my sister and I’ll pull anyone's guts out that hurts her.

“Tobias, I’m not into your sister. I’m not a pedophile, and I’m hurt you would even think that. She’s like a sister to me… you know, I never had a family….” Kyler's voice hardens, blinking away any emotion that was getting caught in his voice.

“I trust you,” I tell him.

Kyler doesn’t say anything, nodding before getting to his feet. “Let me know when you arrive,” he says, opening the door and leaving me in my office.

Blowing raspberries, I shred the pictures of Gabriel before heading back upstairs. Thankfully, he’s still asleep by the time I climb into bed. Throwing an arm around my waist, he rests his head on my chest. OnlyI can’t sleep, my mind racing over who it could be, and the ways I want to tear this world apart for him.

Only feeling like we just barely started and now everything is falling apart.

18

Gabriel

Ishift onto my side, my eyes blinking open when I don’t feel Tobias next to me. Did he leave me? Does he regret what we did? The memories of my night terrors, waking up and confessing some of my past to him last night rush in. Bolting up, I clench the blanket to my chest, doubt and fear clogging my throat, so I barely register when the bathroom door opens, and Tobias walks out, completely naked.

“Gabriel?” he asks, worry filling his voice. But I don’t focus on that. Instead, I focus on the fact I finally opened up to someone about my past and now they’re leavingme.

I open my mouth to tell him something, anything at this point, but nothing comes out. I can feel the panic ripping through my heart, threatening to wreck me.

“Gabriel!” Tobias snaps. All of a sudden, he’s grabbing my throat again, bringing me back down. I can’t understand why when his hand is wrapped around my throat I can’t think clearly.

“I’m sorry,” I whisper.

“Why are you running from me?”

“I’m not running,” I lied. I was definitely thinking of running.

“Gabriel.”

Biting my bottom lip, my eyes flick to the side, barely catching the duffle bag sitting in the corner, and the panic comes rushing back in. Tobias must have felt my pulse or he’s just that good at reading people because he glances to where I’m looking.

“It’s not what you think,” he finally says, pushing me back on the bed. Crawling on top of me, he grabs my hands placing them above my head.

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