Page 22 of Run to Me

“I’ve also changed all the locks to your apartment and to the store. My brother’s friend owns a security company, and he hooked me up with his latest equipment. You need a keyanda code to enter. The code is 022424,” he says and smiles proudly at me.

“Why that code?”

“Because it was the first time I saw you,” he says as though it’s obvious and I fight the need to roll my eyes at the fact he memorized the date.

“Okay… anything else I should know about?”

He bites his lip and looks nervous for a moment until his demeanor shifts to determination.

“Yeah… one last thing. There’s a watch in the bag on the counter,” he says and nods towards a small red gift bag sitting on my kitchen counter. “The watch has a small latch on it that I need you to press if you’re ever in danger and I’m not around. It’ll turn on a tracker and I’ll get an alert straight to my phone. I need you to wear it angel, for your safety and my own peace of mind,” he murmurs and shuffles in place as though he’s waiting for me to blow up at him.

I honestly don’t know what the hell to make of all of this.

This isn’t normal,right?

“I met you a couple of weeks ago when you bought books from my store. Now you’re sleeping on my couch, installing cameras, changing my locks and fitting me with a tracker. You realize this is crazy, right?”

“It may seem crazy to you angel, but I promise I’m only doing what I think I need to in order to keep you safe. And I’m notfittingyou with a tracker, though if you’d let me, I’d happily get a doctor over here to inject one into your skin?” He looks at me hopefully and I burst out laughing.

“Not a chance,” I say with finality and chuckle when I see his expression. He looks like I just kicked his puppy.

He didn’t stay much longer after that. Once he’d finished installing the cameras, he told me to text him if I needed anything and that he’d check back in with me in a couple of days.

Apparently, he was going to be working full time to try and figure out who had come after me, and he didn’t want to be distracted by being around me, but he wanted me to text him to check in.

I spent the rest of the day around my apartment wondering what the hell my life had come to and texting with Lia since Enzo had apparently contacted her to let her know I wouldn’t be joining her for girls’ night.

Obviously, she had questions.

I just had no idea how to answer them, what the hell was I supposed to say?

My stalker held me while I had a full mental breakdown because I’m being targeted by someone my brother owes money too.

Then I proceeded to let him into my apartment where we spent more time talking before I fell asleep and he carried me to bed.

Yeah, I’m pretty sure she’d lose her goddamn mind.

Instead, I told her that I had a migraine and Enzo is a new friend who visits the store and that I’d asked him to reach out to her for me.

Pretty sure she’s aware I’m full of shit, but the questions have stopped for now.

I’ve tried calling my brother multiple times over the last few days, but I reach his voicemail every single time.

I’m pacing in my kitchen, trying to think of ways to get myself out of this mess that he made for me without having to use Enzo, when my phone dings from the counter.

Enzo

What are you doing?

Just wearing a hole in the flooring as I lose my mind.

About to make dinner. What are you doing?

I send the message without thinking. Maybe I shouldn’t encourage conversation with him? How does one normally act when they start to become friends with the guy who’s stalked them for the last few months?

Enzo

Sit and read for a while, angel. I’m sending you takeout, so you don’t have to cook.