Page 31 of Stalked
Knox snorts. “Everything in this fucking town concerns me. We're Blackwoods.”
“Yeah, well, this is personal.”
My brother studies me for a moment before realization dawns on his face. “Wait. Is this about the girl who ran off to New York?”
“Her name is Lia,” I snap, more defensively than I intended.
Knox throws his hands up. “Whoa, touched a nerve there. Jesus, Vane. It's been what, fifteen years? That's some serious dedication to holding a grudge—or whatever the fuck this is.”
I ignore him and survey the warehouse. “Is this everything? Where's the second shipment?”
“Coming tomorrow,” Knox answers, mercifully dropping the subject. “By the way, doesn't it seem weird that it's just us here? No Xavier breathing down our necks, no Landon taking fucking notes on his phone?”
I nod, the observation having already crossed my mind. “Those fuckers still don't trust us to handle a simple shipment.”
“Right?” Knox laughs. “Like we haven't been doing this shit since we were teenagers.”
“Xavier probably has cameras set up somewhere,” I mutter, scanning the ceiling corners of the warehouse.
“Or Landon's got someone reporting back to him. You know how he operates.”
I check the time on my phone. “Let's get this finished. I've got plans tonight.”
“What kind of plans?” Knox asks, his eyebrows raised with undisguised curiosity. “Hot date? Or is this more of your mysterious person bullshit?”
I run my hand through my hair, debating how much to share. “Just some things I need to check on at one of my properties. Making sure everything's ready.”
“Ready for what?”
“None of your fucking business,” I reply, but there's no real heat in my words.
Knox laughs, slapping me on the shoulder. “Whatever, man. Just make sure you're at the meeting tomorrow. Xavier will lose his shit if we're late.”
I nod, my thoughts already drifting to the penthouse. To the equipment I installed last week. To the carefully hidden cameras in the living room, bedroom, and bathroom. To the high-quality microphones that will catch every word, every sigh, every sound she makes.
“We done here?” I ask, scanning the warehouse one last time.
“Yeah, we're good. Rest is just inventory.” Knox waves me off. “Go handle your property bullshit.”
I don't need to be told twice. Within minutes, I'm outside, the cool night air hitting my face as I swing my leg over my Kawasaki. The engine roars to life beneath me as I pull on my helmet, and I feel that familiar surge of adrenaline as I pull out of the warehouse lot.
The road stretches before me, and I push the bike faster than I should, weaving through what little traffic exists at this hour. My mind races even faster than the motorcycle, imagining Lia walking through that penthouse, completely unaware that I'll be watching her every move.
Fifteen years. Fifteen fucking years of waiting, planning, building my empire alongside my brothers while keeping tabs on her from afar. And now she's coming back, right into the web I've been spinning.
The thirty-minute ride passes in a blur of streetlights and empty roads. When I finally pull into the underground parking beneath the luxury building, anticipation thrums through me like electricity.
I take the private elevator up to the penthouse, key card in hand. It's time to make sure everything is perfect for Lia's arrival.
The penthouse is silent as I move through it, methodically checking each installation. Every camera is hidden in the light fixtures, smoke detectors, and air vents. I pull out my phone, opening the security app I had custom-made. One by one, the feeds populate my screen—living room, kitchen, hallway, bathroom, bedroom. Perfect views from every angle.
I tap the bedroom feed. The California king bed dominates the frame, its crisp white sheets practically glowing under the recessed lighting. I zoom in, adjusting the angle slightly for a better view.
“Perfect,” I mutter, satisfaction coursing through me.
Next, I test the audio. I walk through each room, speaking quietly, then return to my phone to check the playback. Crystal clear. Every whisper, every breath she takes will be mine to hear.
The thought of Lia here, unaware of my eyes on her, is the most satisfying thought I’ve ever had.
