Evelyn squeezed my forearms as she began to take deep breaths. She counted down from 10 as she tried to regulate her breathing. I held her tightly until her body settled. It took her moments before she gathered herself to speak.
“Thank you. You always seem to be here when I break down,” she whispered.
I rested my head on top of hers and said, “Hey now, what did I say about thanking me?” I asked playfully.
She’s quiet as she continued to take slow breaths in and out. Her warm body was pressed against my chest, and her armswere still wrapped around mine as if she were using me as an anchor. My breath synced with hers, goosebumps pebbled her skin as the curls on the nape of her neck stirred on each exhale.
Evelyn turned out of my arms and faced me. “I have to tell you something.” Her voice broke the calming silence.
Instantly, I was wary of what she was about to confess.
She placed her phone in my hand. I scanned the article, leaving me with nothing but confusion.
“Who is this?” I asked.
Evelyn hugged her knees, resting her head on them. Her eyes were downcast as she searched for the words to answer my question.
“Rico is—was—Celeste’s ex-boyfriend. They were so in love with each other. Then one day out of the blue, he disappeared. No calls, no messages. His apartment was cleared out, and Celeste was distraught.” With a shudder, she continued. “Something Charles said that day came to my mind.”
I reached for her hands, enclosing them in mine, and encouraging her to continue.
“As he was playing with us, slicing us with his knife, he kept saying how‘they’couldn’t get to Celeste anymore and how he wouldn’t share her with‘them.’It never made sense until now. He killed them. Her boyfriends. He sent this to me. He wanted me to know.”
I looked at the email and found nothing pointing directly at Charles. It was just a link from The New York Times.
While holding her phone, another email notification comes through.
"Missing Woman in Staunton, Virginia."
This time, the email was from "alwayswatching247.net," and there was a message, too.
"I'll see you soon.”
"Fuck." I read over the article before raising my head to look at Evelyn.
"What is it?" Her voice trembled as she took the phone from my hands.
The gasp that followed had me reaching for her again, but she shook me off before jumping to her feet.
"No, no, no," she said, pacing the room before charging into the walk-in closet.
Wordlessly, I follow her, not knowing what she plans to do next.
Evelyn grabbed a bag off the shelf and started putting things into it, before walking out and into the ensuite to do the same.
"Whoa." I pressed, standing in the way of her leaving the bathroom. "Take a breath, Ev. Let’s sit down and think about this. Talk to Danny first."
She stares at my outstretched arms barring the doorway. "Parker, I can't stay here. You read that message. He's on his way here. Please move."
"Leaving is a terrible idea, Evelyn." Irritation weaved its way into my voice.
She was too beautiful for words, but she was also damn stubborn.
"This isn't your choice to make, now let me through."
I stepped aside, making room for her to get by.
"You'll be alone out there. Vulnerable to an attack at any time. You're giving him what he wants." I stressed, standing in front of her. Hoping to see any glimpse of a hint that she might change her mind.
