Page 18 of Stalked

He stepped closer to me and held out his hand. “Nice to meet you, Angie.”

I placed my damp palm in his, hoping that the wet touch would cause him to recoil or pull his hand away. Instead, he held on longer than I expected him to. I felt my palms sweat between our touch, and I hoped he didn’t notice the tremble in my hand because he wasn’t letting go.

Why is he not letting go?

“I can feel you shaking,” he said with what looked like concern on his face. “I’m not trying to frighten you.”

Wiggling my hand from his grasp, I said, “I’m fine.” My tone was steady, speaking bravely, but I knew the color under my tanned skin had returned, flushing my cheeks. My back straightened. No way I’d give him the satisfaction of scaring me. “I gotta head home, though.” My fake smile was back, hoping that he would leave me alone. “Thanks.”

I waved my phone in the air and stepped quickly to the side to walk by him, but he was already moving into my path, blocking me from going any further.

Goddammit.

My stomach clenched, and the hair on the back of my neck stood straight, finding myself staring back into his amber eyes.

I wished I hadn’t done that.

There was a tiny glimpse of a smirk on his face before it faded away. “Mercy,” he hummed, stepping forward, “relax. I’m not going to hurt you.”

Everything around me froze in place while I pushed back the hard sob rising to my throat. Realization washed over me and down my spine like ice water.

It was him—the guy from the accident. The one who knew my name.

I found myself hyperventilating as I took a step back.

Act like you’re not scared out of your fucking mind, Mercy.

“I don’t understand. How … how do you know me?” I stammered.

“Easy, Mercy. I know none of this makes sense. I’m not your enemy, nor a stranger to you.” He stepped closer again, but my feet moved back. “We’ve been connected in time for years now. I wish this wasn’t the case, but you have no memory of me like I have of you,” Caleb said, holding up his hands as if trying to calm a frightened animal. “I tracked you down tonight and waited for you to be alone after your friend left.”

His intense gaze was fixated on me, as if trying to commit my face to memory. I glanced at the truck again, and he sighed. He moved faster than I could see, grabbing me by my arm and pulling me hard into his chest. The stranger looked down at me, brushing the hair away from my eyes and tucking it behind my ears. The shock of Caleb grabbing me left me speechless. I couldn’t force my mouth to scream or my body to fight; I was left staring into his beautiful eyes.

The soft whisper from his lips fanned my cheek. “God, I’ve missed you,” he said before pulling me down to sit on the nearby bench.

He’s crazy.

I shut my eyes, trying not to cry or show this guy how terrified I was.

“Open your eyes and look at me. Now!” Surprised, I complied, my eyes shooting open. “You’re in danger, and it’s not from me,” he warned. “Someone has been following you, and I know you’ve seen them. You’ve felt them, and so have I.” His rough hand ran down my arm. “I’m here to keep you safe.” He released our touch and slid further down the bench, giving me a little space.

Safe? I feel anything but safe.

“I don’t want your help,” my voice cracked. “I don’t know who the hell you think you are, but you need to leave me the fuck alone. Now.”

Caleb breathed an exasperated sigh, running his right hand down his face. “Mercy, I don’t know what else I can say to get you to hear me out, but I’m the only one you can trust right now.”

He must have been insane to think I’d believe a word coming out of his mouth. Just him being this close to me made me feel numb from utter fear.

As I eyed Lily’s truck again, he gripped my wrist, that time with pressure against my skin, keeping me from moving.

“I suggest you come with me willingly, or I will have to force you into that car. I don’t want to hurt you in the process. So, get up and walk.”

My legs wouldn’t move.

“Mercy, I can lift you over my shoulder and drag you out of here if I want, but I’d like you to make that choice, so I don’t have to.”

Fuck this guy.

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