Page 38 of Billionaire Protector

I knocked before letting myself in and shutting the door behind me. Still unsatisfied, I went to the window, drew the curtain aside, and looked out. A dark figure jogging down the road caught my attention.

My heart raced, and I squinted, struggling to distinguish the features hidden underneath the black clothes. As the jogger pulled closer, the hood fell off and revealed a woman's face. Instantly, my shoulders sagged. I breathed in deeply and pulled away from the window.

“Did you see him?”

I was already too wrung out to be startled by Kate's sudden appearance. I turned to her. “No, thankfully,” I sighed and fell onto the couch.

Two days ago, I had snuck out of Shawn's home. Ever since then, I'd been looking over my shoulder, waiting for Eric to pop out and confront me. I avoided going out of the house like a recluse. But today was inevitable. Either I leave the house, or I forfeit the position at the school. I chose the former and braved the out-of-doors.

Traveling to the school and returning back to Kate’s, being scared every step of the way, made me realize how safe it felt to be with Shawn. The knowledge that his security team constantly watched over me kept me from worrying about Eric. I no longer had that protection. And I couldn't call Shawn if I ran into Eric like he asked me to. I had burned that bridge.

“So, how was it?” Kate sat beside me.

“How was what?”

“Your interview?” A line appeared between her brows. “Are you sure you didn't see him? You look shaken.”

I hugged my arms around myself, rubbing out the chill. “No, I didn't see him. I was just terrified the whole time.”

Her lips turned down. “You don't have to be.”

“He gave me no choice.”

"You know what? We're giving Eric too much credit. He's a bastard, now that's settled. Let's talk about better stuff...like the new position. Again, how did the interview go?"

My anxiety decreased the more I told her about the job. "My chances look pretty excellent. They loved me."

“That's awesome! I'm so excited for you.” She clapped her hands, cheering. “See, you're doing better.”

I forced a smile, but it didn’t make it to my eyes.

Kate's face fell. “Still thinking of Eric?”

"I'm sorry. Despite everything, I'm trying to move on with my life, but it's so hard. It feels like there's a shadow at every turn I take. He's holding me back, Kate."

“He's—”

"Don't say ‘he's not’ because he is." I hated how hysterical I sounded, but I couldn't keep it in any longer. "He is in Cape Worth, and I know he follows me. What if he shows up at my job and wrecks things once more? I can't go through that again, Kate."

The empathy in her eyes broke me. I felt pitied. Like I was weak and unable to help myself. Like I would fall apart.

I stood, pacing the living room. "What if I move?" Why didn't I think of that before? "I should move, and he won't find me. Simple."

Kate stood. "Do you hear yourself?"

"Yes, and I think it's a great idea. If I move, then he won't find me, and I can start my life over."

"You came to Cape Worth because he wouldn't leave you alone. You left without a forwarding address, but what happened? He found you. What if he does it after you move to a new city? Will you keep running?"

"Well, what should I do? I'm out of options." I tossed my hands in the air, and they fell limply by my side.

“What if we stop panicking for a second?” Kate reached forward and pulled me back to the couch.

“I'm not.”

“You are.” She settled beside me.

I hung my head. “I feel like such a failure. Who dates a stalker?”

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