The stalker laughed, a sickening sound. “I’m hurtyou don’t remember me, Atlas,” he cooed, almost sounding actually hurt.
I tried to rack my brain for where I’d heard his voice before, but fear clouded my thoughts.
“God, you’re stunning up close. As beautiful as the first time I saw you,” he murmured. His hot breath sliced against my skin. Every cell in my body screamed to run, but there was probably a gun pointed at my back.
“What do you want from me?” I asked. If I just kept him talking long enough, Hector would come find me soon.
But then what? What if he pointed the gun at Hector? What if he got hurt? Fear swirled in my stomach.
“I was so close to getting you, Atlas. God, you smell so good,” he said and took a deep sniff at the base of my neck. The hairs there stood up. “I can’t wait to lick every inch of your skin. I would’ve done it already, but youjust hadto run away.”
“What the hell are you talking about?”
That meant I must have known him from somewhere. Butwhere?
“You enjoy spreading your legs for that ex-con?” he continued, completely ignoring my question. It was fine. Maybe if he kept talking, I could finally place his voice and figure out who this fucker was. “You like playing with danger, don’t you, you little slut? But don’t worry, I’m generous. You can have fun with your little plaything now, but you’ll be in my arms soon.”
I was trembling by the time he finished. I told myself I couldn’t get shaken up. I had to stay strong.
“Are you shaking with excitement, baby?” the creep whispered in my ear. “Don’t worry, I’ll give you what you want soon. You like danger, so I’ll indulge in this foreplay a little longer. Just for you.”
His gloved hand skirted over my chest, and I tried to struggle out of his hold, but he pressed the hard object harder into my back. I froze again with fear when a voice called from behind us.
“Atlas?”
The sound of Hector’s voice was enough to smack the courage right back into me. I wasn’t going to let this fucker have his way.
The stalker must have been surprised by Hector’s call, because I felt the gun slip from my back just slightly. I took the chance, twisting my body and slapping his hand away.
It worked. He dropped the gun and stumbled backwards a bit. For a brief second, I got a clear view of his face. Average face with ordinary features, brown hair and eyes, and a gray hoodie over a black cap. He looked like someone who could blend into a crowd, which was probably part of the reason why nobody had caught him so far.
But still, I racked my brain.
Where had I seen him before?
I only had a second longer to try to place him beforehe was running forward, not even bothering to pick up his gun.
“Stop!” I called. I wanted to chase after him, but my legs failed me. I collapsed where I stood. My entire body was shaking.
Hector came into view, and it felt like I could finally breathe again. He was visibly startled to see the gun beside me and me on the ground.
“Shit, what happened? Are you alright?” he asked, running to my side. He was beside me on his knees in seconds. His hands cupped my face, angling it all around, as if checking me for injury.
I was still shaking. The terror lessened with Hector here now, but I was shaking, nevertheless. Words seemed impossible at the moment, so I just clung to him.
“Holy fuck, is that a gun?”
We turned at the sound. It was the group of friends from earlier.
Hector used his body to shield me. He was stiff, on high alert, and I should be as well, but I couldn’t muster up much more than snuggling closer to Hector and taking calming breaths filled with his scent.
I’m safe now.
That was all I needed to focus on. I knew Hector would take care of the rest. I vaguely heard him giving the others instructions, but I was too focused on the strong beat of his heart. It was going fast, but the steady pattern tethered me to him.
I heard Hector say Clay’s name, so I figured backup was being called. I didn’t know how much time passed, but other people soon flooded this narrow passageway. Hector kept using his body to hold me, shielding me from everything.
When he wasn’t replying to someone, he was gently caressing my face and murmuring soft words to me. He called melove, and that was almost enough to make me break down and cry.
