“Me, too. You’re special to me.” He embraced her tighter. “Are you cold? You’re shivering.”
“A little. The air conditioning is really cold.”
“Let’s get dressed and get some dinner.”
“Sounds good. I haven’t eaten all day. I’m starving.”
She picked up her clothes and went to the bathroom to freshen up.
* * *
Earl’s Restaurant was known for its juicy prime rib dinners, so when Axe suggested it, Baylee readily agreed. She was ravenous, and a juicy prime rib, a salad and baked potato sounded divine.
They elected to dine on the patio, the heat of the day dissipating with the advance of the setting sun. The restaurant sat atop a hill, and the view was spectacular—the Rocky Mountains towering high in the sky, the verdant valley below teeming with wildlife, and the majestic fir forests.
As she and Axe enjoyed their dinner, her phone pinged.
Unknown: All the bodyguards in the world won’t keep you safe.
Baylee blanched, her mouth quivering as she stared at the message.
“Who is it?” Axe asked.
Opening her mouth, no sound came forth. Shaking her head, she handed her phone to him.
“What’s up?” he said as he read the message, his face reddening. “What the fuck?” he hissed.
Axe: Listen fucker, you’re a dead man.
Unknown: You think you scare me? Your little cunt is first, then you’re next. Enjoy your prime rib dinners.
Axe leapt up, knocking over the glasses on the table. Stalking around the patio, he surveyed the valley, then went inside to search, leaving Baylee alone with her thoughts.
A few minutes later, he returned and handed her the phone.
“Fucker could be anywhere, peering at us through high-powered binoculars,” Axe seethed. He slammed his fist on the table, causing Baylee to jump. “I’ve gotta find this bastard. The asshole has just declared war.”
The tremors started from her arms and ran all the way down to her toes—she couldn’t stop them. She hugged her arms, but they racked her body until she was one vibrating mess.
Axe pulled her into his embrace, tucking her hair behind her ears as he whispered, “It’s gonna be okay. I won’t let anyone hurt you,” over and over in her ear.
She clung to him, his soothing voice calming her. He held her for a long time, and the fear seeped out of her. Cupping his chin, she stretched up and kissed him. “Thanks.”
“Never need to thank me for helping you.” He kissed her back, harder and deeper.
“You know what?” she muttered against his soft skin.
“Hmm?”
“I’ve decided I can’t play the victim anymore. This psycho gets off on my fear, and I can’t live like this. I have to put the fear aside so I can concentrate and let my mind bring the memory of him forward. I can’t end up like my mother.” She rubbed her neck, pushing the fear down which threatened to rise again.
“That’s my woman. In this world, you gotta fight. You can’t wait to be trampled, you gotta do the trampling first. Besides your bosses, who knows you’re in Pinewood Springs?”
She looked up, racking her brain to remember who else she told about her summer gig. “Claudia. She’s a very good friend of mine, and she has the hots for Logan, but that’s not important. I know, TMI.”
“Who else?”
“My dad, my therapist, and that’s about it. I didn’t tell too many people. I don’t have a lot of friends since I work so much. That’s all I can think of. Maybe my dad or Claudia told some people?”
“It’s someone you know. Just have to figure out who. No way this shit is random.”
“The anniversary of my mother’s death is soon,” she said softly. “I have a sick feeling the killer is waiting until then to strike. I’m scared, but I don’t want to be a victim.”
Axe held her close. “I promise you I’m gonna find the sonofabitch and make sure he pays for every tear he’s made you shed, and for every dark shadow he’s planted in your brain.”
An hour later, they were back at the hotel. Baylee searched the lobby for Puck, but he was nowhere to be seen. Joy filled her.
“You coming up?” she asked as she waited for the elevator.
He nuzzled her hair. “Yeah. I’m spending the night. You good with that?” She nodded. “And not on some fucking couch.”
She giggled. “I gave up on that plan a while back.”
When she opened her door, she scanned the room. She’d fallen into the habit of searching it ever since someone had broken in. Sure no one unwanted had come in, she pivoted and snaked her arms around Axe’s neck.