“Your request is fair enough,” he replied. “My name is Deylan. Though most refer to me as Dey. I found you by simply following you from the place you currently call home. As for what I need your help with…”
“Excuse me?” I interrupted, my brain focusing on one specific part of his statement. “Did you just say that you’ve been following me?”
“Yes,” he confirmed, not even the slightest bit unnerved by my outburst.
“Okay,” I said, tossing back the last of my drink and gathering up my canvas bag. “This has been… something. But I need to go to work and you need to find someone else to stalk because whoever you think I am, I’m not her.”
He frowned and opened his mouth to say something, but I was out the front door before he could utter the first syllable.
Chapter three
I was only a block away from the Taco Hut when I heard steps pounding the sidewalk behind me. Maintaining my steady stride, I mentally prepared myself for the challenge of telling the world’s hottest stalker to leave me alone. Again.
“What is your deal?” I huffed out as the bronze beefcake matched my brisk pace.
“My deal?” he asked. “I apologize, but this is not an expression where I come from.”
I couldn’t place his accent, so he had to be from somewhere pretty exotic. “And where exactly is that? Your English is decent but clearly not your first language.”
“I am from Rivella,” Dey replied, puffing up his already expansive chest.
“Sorry, geography isn’t exactly my strong suit. Is that in the Middle East or something?”
He moved in front of me, stopping my progress. “Rivella is in Vitaea," he answered, "but it is not in the east, middle orotherwise. It does, however, pose some complications with what I need to tell you.”
I laughed mirthlessly. “Yeah, not really interested in continuing this conversation any further. I’m already late for work.”
I tried to go around him, but he settled his hands on my shoulders, locking me in place. The scent of smoke and applewood wafted off him, and I crinkled my nose. The smell reminded me of camping, something I never enjoyed because it reminded me too much of the few weeks Jenn and I spent living out of her car.
Analyzing him a little more closely, I finally registered his outfit; the gray shirt I thought was a t-shirt was actually some kind of tunic with laces at the neck. Brown leather pants clung to his powerful thighs, and a pair of soft black boots stretched just past his calves. Overall, he looked like he wandered away from a renaissance faire, and it occurred to me then that I should probably be more worried that this guy was legitimately unstable.
"Look, Deylan, or whatever your name is, I've had a rough day, so would you mind finding someone else to harass?" Ducking under his hold, I hurried down the sidewalk.
“It is about your parents,” he called out, his words bringing me to a screeching halt.
Well, damn.
Of course he had to say the one thing that would actually get me to listen to him. Granted, there was a chance he was lying, manipulating me for some endgame, but I couldn’t just walk away. Not if there was a chance he knew something.
“I mean you no harm,” Dey continued, coming up beside me. “I promise you this will all become clear if you would allow me the opportunity to explain.”
Maybe I was an idiot, but there was something so genuine, so honest in his eyes that I actually believed it when he said he wouldn’t hurt me.
I let out a long breath. “Okay,” I conceded, my curiosity getting the better of me. “Let me send a quick text message to my boss, then we can go chat.”
He grinned wide, and I hoped that I wasn't going to end my day as a lampshade.
“Why did you bring me to King Solomon Park?” I asked, nearly an hour later. “It’s not even open.” I gestured to the padlock on the iron gates.
Dey laughed. “The flimsy metal here is little more than a mild inconvenience." He strolled over to the gate, picked up a hefty stone, and smashed the lock. The cacophonous sound echoed into the night, and I glanced around to see if anyone would come running to investigate.
When it became clear we were still alone, he tossed the now useless hunk of metal behind him. Pushing the gate open, he gave me an expectant look.
“Fine,” I huffed out dramatically, dragging my ass after him. “But if you get me arrested for breaking into a cemetery, I don’t care what you have to tell me, I’m seriously going to kick your ass.”
He scanned up and down my thin, malnourished frame. “I welcome the challenge,” he replied, amusement dancing in his eyes.
Well at least he didn’t outright laugh in my face.
