This wasn’t me overreacting.
This was real. This was happening.
I was in danger.
And I knew just who to blame…
The problem was, my mother wouldn’t care if I vanished.
She might even prefer it.
And when this man realized I wasn’t the leverage he came for—what then?
CHAPTER 3
ANNA
My thoughts skittered like trapped birds, slamming into every useless escape route.
“I see you also sell record players.” His voice slid closer. “Is there one you’d recommend… Eleanor?”
I went still.
Eleanor.
I wasn’t wearing a name tag. Even if I was, it wouldn’t say that. Only my mother called me Eleanor. And she weaponized the name.
My heartbeat punched against my ribs. I forced a breath past the knot closing my throat.
No more pretending this was paranoia.
He was here for me—because of her.
I took a step back. He mirrored it, an easy shift forward—like we were dancing.
A dance where only one partner knew the steps.
“Well,” I managed, my voice almost steady, “that depends on…what you’re using it for.”
Words spilled too fast, too many. I kept talking. “Some models have headphone jacks, or Bluetooth—built-in speakers, too—but the room size determines?—”
Stop rambling. Stop giving him the sound of your fear.
I plastered on a smile I hoped looked like customer service and not a silent scream.
His eyes lingered on it. He seemed amused.
A shiver crawled up my spine.
“Right now I’m in a hotel,” he said, casually stalking a half step closer. “But at home… surround sound.”
Home. He said it like it was inevitable he’d go back there. I wasn’t so sure I’d get the same luxury.
“Bluetooth then?” I asked and shifted again—toward the counter. Toward distance.
He followed. A shadow swallowing light.
The shop suddenly felt microscopic. No corner far enough. No shelf thick enough to slow him down.
