Swearing under my breath, I paused the feed and ran a quick facial recognition scan. A name popped up:Frederick Jkir. Forty-seven. Divorced. Wife deceased.More irrelevant details filled the screen, but none of them mattered. What mattered was that I didn’t know him—and neither did Ainsley.
I knew everyone in her life.
I shoved back from the desk, heart pounding as I grabbed my shirt. I’d never make it in time if I went on foot, and I didn’t have a second to lose. My bike was tucked away in the garage, practically gathering dust, but right now, it was my only option. I threw on my helmet, revved the engine, and tore down the street towards her house.
By the time I got there, he was gone.
I cursed under my breath, scanning the empty street for any sign of him. But then my eyes landed on something small and white, lying just under Ainsley’s door. Another letter.
I was off the bike in seconds, crouching down to snatch it up. The message inside was short, but it sent anger rushing through me.
I’m taking back what you owe me tonight. See you again.
Tonight.
I crushed the paper in my fist, jaw clenching. I wasn’t sure what he thought Ainsley owed him, but threatening her was a mistake.
Pulling out my phone, I rewound the feed, watching the same man slip the note under the door before turning and walking away. His movements were slow, almost casual, like he didn’t have a care in the world.
But I did.
I mounted the bike again, heart racing as I raced through the streets, scanning every corner, every shadow. He couldn’t have gone far. He’d be around somewhere, lurking. The thought of him anywhere near her made my blood burn.
I turned onto a divided lane and paused, unsure of which direction he’d taken. Forcing myself to think logically, I chose the left path first, but when it turned up nothing, I doubled back and sped down the right.
I saw him.
He was walking briskly, head down, as though he was trying not to be noticed. But I knew better. He was used to walking that way. He wasn’t just a stalker. He was something more.
For a split second, the urge to run him down with my bike surged through me, but there were too many people about—trick-or-treaters, families, all of them oblivious to the rage thrumming through my veins. I couldn’t risk drawing attention to myself.
I parked the bike and followed on foot, keeping my distance. The whole time, anger was pounding inside me. He’d threatened Ainsley, and if he thought I’d let him walk away from that, he was wrong. Dead wrong.
He led me through several blocks, turning corners, walking faster now. I stayed close, taking different routes to keep out of sight, waiting for my moment. When we finally reached a quieter part of town, with fewer houses and almost no people, I knew I had him.
I cut ahead, taking a different alley to corner him. The second he saw me standing at the other end of the narrow space between the blocks, he stopped, his hand twitching at his side.
I watched as he pulled out a knife, his single eye narrowing.
I stared him down. “I’m assuming you know who I am.”
The man’s lips twisted into a sneer. “All because of you.”
I cocked my head, wondering just how long he’d been following us—me and Ainsley. He grunted suddenly, charging forward with the knife.
I was ready. As he lunged, I brought my leg up and kicked him hard in the chest. The impact sent him flying backwards. He crashed into the waste bins behind him, taking them down with him in a clattering mess. The knife clanged as it slipped from his grip, skidding far out of reach.
Without wasting a second, I closed the distance, knelt down, and drove my fist into his face. One punch. Two. Three. His head snapped back with each hit, blood smearing my knuckles. But the asshole was strong. Even as his face swelled and bruised, he reached blindly for something on the ground.
Before I could stop him, he swung a rock straight into the side of my head. Pain exploded behind my eyes as I staggered, the world tilting around me. He took the opportunity to roll me over, pinning me down, and his fists came down on me with brutal force. I gritted my teeth, absorbing the blows, waiting for the moment to retaliate.
I didn’t have to wait long. Summoning my strength, I bucked him off, my boot connecting with his side. He stumbled back, but his recovery was quick. Too quick.
Just as I was pushing myself up, still dazed from the rock to my skull, he lunged again. This time, I wasn’t fast enough to see the needle until it was already piercing my neck. A sharp, burning sensation spread instantly through my veins.
Something toxic.
I grunted, trying to stay upright, my vision blurring as the drug took hold. Dizzy, I managed to shove him away, but my strength was fading fast. My body gave out, and I collapsed against the ground, unable to fight the pull of unconsciousness.
