Blind Date(33)

"Pepper spray, a whistle that'll make anyone retreat, and a list of direct emergency numbers to some other officers at the station, including my own."

My hands start shaking, so I shove them beneath my thighs and look over to Ace, holding his stare. "Thank you, that makes me feel better."

It really doesn't. I honestly don't think anything could at this point, but the fact that he's thought of it does ease something inside me.

He nods briskly. "I've looked over everyone on your list, and they are all coming up clear. That's not to say they're not capable of pulling this off, but I think I'm going to start looking at outside sources, even strangers, people you work with, people who live in these apartments, things like that."

"Thank you Ace," I say genuinely. "I really appreciate it."

He shrugs. "I'd do it for anyone."

Right. That has my chest tightening, surprising me. I don't like how that felt when he said those words. I try not to think too much about why that might be.

He stands. "I'm right next door, yell out if you need me. Make sure you lock these doors, double-check them. I'll have the new locks tomorrow."

I nod, swallowing the thick lump in my throat. "Thank you." 

He nods again. "Later."

He walks out of the apartment without another look back. I glance over at Taylor, who watches him go and then looks at me. "He's intense."

Yes.

Yes he is.

But he makes me feel strangely safe, and right now I'll take that.





THIRTEEN


Lightning cracks outside, lighting up my bedroom as it makes a loud crashing sound, followed by a loud boom of thunder. Heavy rain falls, causing a waterfall to run down my window. I'm on my bed, legs tucked up to my chest, with every light on, staring out at the storm currently wreaking havoc on our city.

I like storms.

Tonight, though, I'm not feeling all that great about it.

It's just past one in the morning, and I know sleep won't come to me. Especially not after Taylor got called into work. She was going to stay the night, and now she can't. I'm alone and there is no way in hell I'll be able to sleep. So, I left every light on, and decided I'd ride this night out. What's one night without sleep? Even so, the heaviness in my chest won't ease.

Not even a little.

Every single tiny sound I hear has my heart nearly launching out of my throat. I'm terrified. I wish Raymond was here, I wish it so heavily the ache in my chest spreads, traveling up my throat until my nose tickles with unshed tears. I wish he was here, and none of this was happening. He'd know how to make me feel safe. He'd know how to make me feel better.

I'm plunged into pitch-black.

For a second, my breathing stops.

No.

God. Not again.

The power is out.

My hands start shaking and my entire body feels too heavy to move. I'm frozen in the spot, trying to force myself to get up, but nothing is happening. I'm stuck here, terrified. A loud crack of lightning lights up my room, and a scream leaves my throat. Where's my phone? Where is it? It'll have a light. God, why did I stay here? I should have thought this through. I should have gone to Taylor's house, anywhere but here.

What was I thinking?

Tears burn under my eyelids and I know I have to stand up and move. I'll go next door, Ace won't mind. Hell, I'll sleep on the floor in his apartment if I have to. I don't care if he doesn't like me. I can't stay here. With shaky fingers, I remember my phone is on the bedside table, so I reach over to get it and flick it on. Just as I go to turn the built-in flashlight on, it rings.

It. Rings.

And Raymond's name flashes up on the screen.

No.

A terrified gurgle escapes my throat and I launch the phone across the room, stumbling out of the bed. My eyes dart to the left, then to the right, then to the open door in front of me. Did I leave that open? God. I didn't. I'm sure I closed it when I went to bed. I'm sure of it. A sound travels out from the kitchen. Was that lightning? Is someone in my house? Panic grips my chest and I can't breathe. I can't breathe.

"Help," I croak as my phone starts ringing somewhere in the room again.

Who is doing this to me?

Why?

My knees wobble. I can't see anything. The only time I can see even briefly is when the lightning comes again, hitting the ground outside and sparking up the room for a flash of a second. My hand darts out to my left, trying to find a wall to hang onto. I need to get to my phone. Ace's number is on there. I'll call him. Everything will be okay. It'll all be okay.

That's it.

That's all I have to do.

It feels like two hands are squeezing my windpipe, I'm so afraid. A cold sweat breaks out on my forehead and I can't seem to get it together. Not even enough to think. A crashing sound comes from my general kitchen area, and my blood runs cold. Someone is in my house? Oh God, someone is in my house! With trembling hands, I try to remember where I put the bag Ace gave me. It's on the desk, right near my bed. It's there, I need to get to it.