Page 26 of Blindsided

I have a feeling it won’t take much arm-twisting to get Matthew to agree to this, but it doesn’t take away the guilt. I don’t want to put him in an awkward position, no matter if we’ve become friends these past few weeks or not.

“Okay, I’ll call Veronica.”

“You’re taking at least two months off, Tilly. I’ll pay you for the lost salary if I have to.”

I huff a humorless laugh. “I don’t need your money. I’ve got plenty.” Which is true. I’ve saved a crap load of money throughout my career and could probably survive without a job for a few years. If I sell my apartment, I’ll be set.

“Then get your ass to Westlake.”

The police arrive at the same time Desmond makes that demand, so I tell him I love him and hang up the phone.

Dealing with the police is tough, mainly because they bag up the evidence, ask us a few questions, and let me know they’ll be in touch. They don’t say anything about my case or if they’ve gotten any leads. I have no more information than I started with, and I’m beyond frustrated.

“How long has this been going on?” David asks once the police leave. If it was anyone else asking, I’d be worried they were fishing for gossip. David is one of the few photographers I actually trust.

“About a month now. Someone broke into my apartment and left pictures of me sleeping. Then they trashed the place while I was in Paris for fashion week.”

“Damn, that’s fucking scary.” David’s eyes are wide.

“Tell me about it. I think I’m going to take some time off. I just…” I shake my head.

“You don’t feel safe in the city anymore,” David finishes.

“No, I don’t.”

“I can spread it around that you’re dealing with all this, and you’ll be out of commission until they catch the guy. That way you won’t burn any bridges.”

I squeeze David’s arm. “Thank you. I normally hate being the center of gossip, but maybe someone has heard something.”

“I didn’t think about that. I’ll have them get in touch with Veronica if someone knows something.”

“Thanks again. Veronica is going to be pissed at me, but I can’t do this job if I’m constantly terrified.”

David grimaces. “Can you imagine the shots we’d get?”

I laugh. “They’d be more suited for Halloween.”

“There’s an idea.”

We say our goodbyes, and I order a car to take me back to Desmond's. Buying a plane ticket and packing my things are my top priority, and I do both the minute I get home. When I’m finished, I settle onto the couch to call Veronica. I figure if I already have a plane ticket bought, I’ll be less likely to let her persuade me to back out.

My stomach is in knots as the phone rings.

“How did the Versace shoot go? Weren’t you going to lunch with the other models afterward?” Her typical lack of pleasantries makes me roll my eyes. It also gives me the courage to tell her what happened today.

“I got a package from my stalker today.” My declaration is met with silence, so I keep talking. “It was a mutilated doll, and honestly, it’s the final straw for me. I don’t know how they knew I was at this shoot, but it proves that I’m not safe anywhere in this city. I need some time off, Veronica. I can’t keep looking over my shoulder, wondering if today is the day they physically hurt me.”

“Okay, let me look at your schedule. You’re booked up next week, but I think I can rearrange some stuff to give you a week to recoup.”

“No.”

“No? What do you mean,no?”

“I’m leaving today. I can’t stay in this city any longer. I need you to clear the next two months, and hopefully, whoever is stalking me will get bored and move on.”

“Two months?” Veronica screeches. “That’s impossible. Do you know what that will do to your career?”

“Right now, I don’t care. David is already working his contacts to make sure none of my bridges are burned, but even if they are, I can’t keep working at the cost of my mental health. If this ends my career, then so be it.”

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