Page 53 of In The Dark
“You’re never a bother, Max. And if you want to take a vacation, the second Fright Nights ends, I’ll whisk you away.”
“Where would we go?”
“Anywhere you want.”
I smile. “Thank you for listening to me.”
“You’ll let me know if you notice anything else that makes you uncomfortable?”
“I will. Do I get to see you in hero mode?”
“You don’t want to see me in hero mode. I’d burn the city down for you.”
A blush creeps up my cheeks. “Have fun at work, Hunter.”
“I’ll be thinking of you the entire time.”
We hang up, and I pull up a search for the best axes to use for self-defense. The options are overwhelming, and I fire off a text to Hunter asking him to pick one for me. He answers immediately with a tracking number, telling me a package will be here the day after tomorrow.
Thirty minutes later, the doorbell rings. I carry my pepper spray with me as I check the peephole, laughing when I see it’s a pizza delivery with a bottle of chardonnay.
When I settle into my bathtub with two slices of pepperoni on a plate and a generous pour of wine, I decide I need to relax more. After a thorough search of my house that shows no one is hiding in a closet waiting to attack me, I climb into bed and sleep soundly through the night, convinced I’m overreacting.
NINETEEN
HUNTER
AmI a dick for gaslighting Max into thinking no one broke into her house?
Completely, but it was for selfish reasons.
I like seeing her on the camera, and letting it slip that I was there after denying it originally would probably take away my access to her.
And I don’t wantthat.
I’m having too much fun watching her fall asleep and walk around her room in a towel after her shower. It’s all so thrilling, and I need to be very fucking careful.
It’s easy to see why people get addicted to this lifestyle, and I’m glad it’smeobserving her. Anyone else would’ve done something unhinged by now, but I’m not that guy.
I’m only hiding in her closet so I can check on her.
There’s a difference.
I stretch out my legs and drop my elbow on a pile of sweaters, waiting for Max to get home. She’s at dinner with a teacher friend from school, but her last text to me mentioned she was finishing up. She should be heading this way soon, and I fucking miss her.
My phone lights up with a notification from the camera app, telling me there’s movement at the front door. I tap over to the feed and see Max’s Uber pulling into the driveway. She hops out of the car in a jean skirt and a sweater that hangs off her shoulders. Her hair is down, and I smile when she skips to the porch and unlocks the door.
She appears in her room a few seconds later, tying her hair up in a high ponytail. She sits on her bed and pulls out her phone, holding back a smile as she types something on the screen.
My own phone buzzes a second later with a text from her. I wait before reading it, adjusting my position so I can keep an eye on her through the closet door that’s slightly open.
Max the Angel
I’m home! Hope you’re having a good night.
Me
I’m on break right now. How was dinner, baby?
