Page 27 of Fall Back
Jared kept me grounded. He led me through making an exit with his hand resting on some part of me the entire time. If he hadn’t done that, I don’t know what would have happened.
I kept looking around, expecting to see Dave again, but I didn’t see him. Still, I knew he was there. Somewhere. Lurking in the shadows and biding his time.
It’s the same thing he did in Denver. I couldn’t go anywhere without knowing Dave was there, somewhere. Waiting.
And now he’s here.
My heart is pounding in my chest. I desperately want to fall apart, but I know I have to wait until I can get into my house and close the door.
Wait. Does Dave know where I live? If he’s here, he probably does. Am I even safe in my house now?
I have to clench my fists in my lap to stop myself from reaching for the door handle of Jared’s truck. I want to pull it open, jump out, and make a run for it. But I can’t. Not only would Jared be pissed at me for putting myself in danger, but it would just be stupid.
That doesn’t stop the intrusive thought melding with the need to run.
I’m a mess. I know it. Jared knows it. Hell, everyone might know it by now.
My mind goes on autopilot, and I only come back to myself when Jared crouches down in front of me from where he’s sat me down on my couch. I blink a few times at him and try to smile knowing it looks more like a grimace than anything else.
“Carson,” his voice is low and soothing, “even though I knew you weren’t telling me everything, I gave you time to come out with it on your own. After tonight, I can’t wait for you to be ready anymore.”
Tears well up in my eyes and as much as I try to blink them back, it’s impossible. He knew I wasn’t telling him everything and it didn’t stop him from giving me all of him. Fuck, I don’t deserve this man.
“Who was he?” He prods me, his voice gentle with a hint of steel.
“Dave,” I whisper, my voice so soft that Jared leans in a little closer. “He was my boss at one of the tattoo shops I worked at. The reason I left there and went to Vibrant Ink was because he creeped me out. When I worked for him, he was always too close and tried to get me alone all the time. I hated it and avoided him as much as possible.”
“But he didn’t like that?”
I shake my head; my eyes locked on my fingers which I’ve twisted together on my lap. “No,” I rasp, “he didn’t.”
“What happened when you left his shop?” The tone of his voice tells me he already suspects the truth.
I squeeze my eyes together and take a deep, shaky breath. “While I thought leaving would mean I didn’t see him anymore, it’s not what happened. He started popping up everywhere I went. He would leave me gifts and notes at my car or the door ofmy apartment. I think I almost saw him more after I left his shop than I did when I was there.”
“So, he was stalking you?”
I swallow hard, the lump in my throat making it almost impossible to do, and nod. Since my voice can’t be trusted at the moment, I don’t even try to use it.
“Why did you leave Denver, Carson?” The question is soft between us; it wraps around me in a way I can’t ignore.
Knowing how protective Jared is of me, part of me is afraid to answer. The other part knows I have to tell him the entire truth. It’s now or never.
“I couldn’t take it anymore,” I murmur. “I was looking over my shoulder all the time, and I never knew when he would pop up. I started to feel like I was going crazy. When I went to the police, they said they couldn’t do anything because he hadn’t done anything illegal.”
Jared growls and I flinch at the sound even though I know he would never hurt me. I also know his anger and annoyance isn’t directed at me.
“I thought,” I take a deep breath and let it out slowly, “if I left, I’d be safe. I figured space and time would solve the problem. What I never imagined was that he would find me here,” my voice cracks.
Hell, it feels like my world is cracking all around me. I came back to my hometown to find safety and peace.
And I found it.
Or, at least, I thought I did.
Now Dave is here, and I have no idea what to do. This only proves that running means nothing. He’ll keep looking for me. He’ll keep finding me.
Then what will I do?
