Page 20 of Unexpected Danger
“What does he do for a living?”
“He’s in law enforcement—a sheriff.”
“Jas told me about that guy.”
Londyn sucked in a deep breath. What she’d told Jasmine had been in confidence.
“Are you ever going to get over him?”
“I—” How could she answer that? She handed him his coffee before calling to order a pizza. Jasmine arrived, and they settled into their movie with Dustin sitting between them on the couch. Halfway through the movie, they reached into the snack bowl full of chips at the same time, his fingers brushing hers. He glanced her way before squeezing her hand gently in his.
“You two are so cute,” said Jasmine.
Londyn tugged her hand away, but not before noticing a flicker of irritation in Dustin’s eyes.
After the movie, her guests left, and Londyn prepared for bed. Thankfully, it had been a quiet night. She turned on the faucet for a glass of water when she noticed something odd.
The three-picture frame collection on the living room shelf had been flopped over facedown.
She righted it, then checked the front door to ensure it was locked, before changing into a comfortable t-shirt. Exhaustion tugged at her. It had been a long day, but a good day.
Although…Dustin revealing his feelings for her and holding her hand on the couch caused a bit of consternation. Yes, she liked him, but only as a friend.
There would never be anyone for her except Brodie.
She flipped open her Bible, read a chapter, then turned off the light and fell fast asleep, forgetting to close the bedroom door.
Sometime in the night, she was awakened by a text notification. She rubbed her eyes and reached for her phone on the nightstand. The words peered up at her.
DID YOU ENJOY THE TIME WITH YOUR FRIENDS?
The characteristic all-caps gave no mystery as to who had sent her the text. He was obviously watching her to know that she’d had friends over. But from where? Fear gnawed at her insides.Just how close was he?Londyn immediately blocked the number. How many burner phones had the stalker purchased? Her hands shook as she again set the phone on the nightstand. She’d log it into her records tomorrow and call Detective Rivas. She was curious if there were any updates, anyway.
From somewhere in the apartment, she heard the sound of footsteps. The hairs on the back of her neck stood on end. Londyn was about to bolt from the bed and shut and lock the door when something caught her attention, and she froze.
There, standing near the bedroom door, was a figure.
She screamed.
A hand waved at her, and she froze. Would whoever it was attempt to shoot her? Or worse?
“Who are you?” Her high-pitched voice sounded foreign in her own ears.
There was no answer, just a swift fleeing from the room.
Londyn’s body shook as she stumbled to the door and slammed it shut and locked it. She fumbled for her gun, then the phone, her fingers accidentally entering 611.
A thump sounded somewhere in the apartment.
Would he be back?Whowas it? She aimed the gun at the closed bedroom door.
When no one attempted to open it, she lowered the gun and lifted the phone, her fingers like jelly, as nausea rose in her throat. Finally, she punched in the number.
“911, what is your emergency?”
“There’s a—there’s a man in my house.”
She fingered the gun while giving the operator her address.
