Page 1 of Choose Me

ONE

AVA

My vision began to blur, and the sounds around me became deafening echoes reverberating through my head. The air thickened, restricting my lungs until the sharp needles of fear pierced through every inch of my body.

A life for a life.

Those five words seared into my brain like a branding iron. The hairs on my arms stood on end, and goosebumps erupted across my skin while fear rushed through every vein.

He was dead.

So, who sent this?

James saw the panic on my face, “What is it, baby?” He quickly snatched the picture from me before I could answer.

I’d been here before, but this time, I had no idea who would be coming after me now and why they chose to send me threats in the form of a Polaroid with ominous words scrawled across the back.

James set the photo down on the counter, his face twisted in shock and rage. My heart thumped hard against my chest as I implored him desperately for answers. He gently grabbed my hand, wordlessly pulling me out of the kitchen and into the living room, guiding me to sit on the couch. The cool dark leather on my bare skin broke my haze and brought me back to the present with him.

The ache was still there, rooted deep in my soul, giving me déjà vu of the months prior when Benjamin Callahan, my stalker, tortured me by sending me a similar threat.

“James, what is happening?” I asked, panic rising in my voice.

His touch was soft but firm as he cupped my cheek, “I don’t know yet. But I am going to find out. I want you to sit here and focus on staying calm.”

“I don’t understand. Who would do this?” My voice trembled as I replied.

He tenderly ran his thumb over my cheek and spoke quietly, “Baby, listen to me. I need you to do your best to stay calm for our baby. Okay?”

I nodded, swallowing the lump in my throat.

“Ava, I need you to trust me--you are safe, and our baby is safe. That’s what matters right now,” he said while planting a kiss on my lips before striding off toward the kitchen.

I watched him pace back and forth, running his hands down the back of his neck, talking hurriedly on the phone before he opened the door when someone knocked. I was on edge and held my breath, unsure who would come over so late. I let out a sigh of relief when I heard Everett’s voice.

“Ava, are you ok?” He immediately moved towards me, with concern etched across his face.

Standing up from the couch, I rushed to him and wrapped my arms around him. Everett had become just as important to me as James had, protecting me with his life without question. He had almost died for me countless times, and I was overjoyed to see my friend.

“I’m okay,” I said with a quiet exhale.

“And my little nephew?”

“The baby is okay too.” I smiled, grateful for Everett’s ability to make light of every situation he was in.

“James told me you earned yourself another stalker.”

“Yeah, I guess I did.”

“Any idea who it might be this time?” Everett shifted his gaze to James as he walked into the room and settled onto the couch.

Releasing myself from Everett’s hold, I shuffled over next to James for comfort. His strong arms folded around me tightly, and his familiar scent calmed my rattled nerves.

“The only person with a vendetta against Ava is—”

“David Commons.” I finished his sentence, realizing that David was the only one who likely harbored any anger toward me. After all, my testimony helped put him in prison in the first place. “Oh my God. You don’t think he would really be dumb enough to do something that would officially make him a criminal, do you?” I looked at him with questioning eyes.

“I think he has the motive to,” James responded with certainty. “I have my guys looking for him now to determine his whereabouts since his release two weeks' ago. If he is here, I will find out, and we can go from there. So, for now, Everett has offered to stay with us and help keep you safe until we know exactly what we are dealing with.”

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