“And what has you all excited?” Kendra asks.
“The stalker, or someone, just broke into Hayden’s apartment. I’m outtie. Should have it wrapped up by one. See you soon.” I kiss her cheeks then run to my room to get decked out, all the while watching the video feed of Hayden’s apartment. Well, the feed of the living room since I can only see one room at a time on the phone app. I grab my gear bag and wave as I leave.
Kendra just chuckles and tells me to have fun. As if I’d find torturing someone dull.
I watch the road and flick my eyes to the screen of my phone every few minutes to make sure the intruder is still there. When I park, I remember the elevator is out and I have to walk up a bagillion and one stairs. While Idohate stairs with a fiery passion, I’m also a master of the Stairmaster.
I grab the metal bat from my backseat. There’s a fuzzy pink sock in my pocket when I’m ready for it. My bag goes over my shoulder and I’m in the stairwell in no time. I look to my phone and stand silent in the stairwell for a minute, getting my bearings and hyping myself up.
I take a deep breath and run up the fucking stairs. I don’t stop once until I’m on the sixth floor. I’m barely breathing heavy. Dallas is gonna be so spicy when he realizes how good of shape I’m in. But I really liked him carrying me up the stairs.
I ruffle my hair and pull on a ski mask this time. Then tug the sock on the end of the bat. That way if whoever it is tries to grab the bat, it’ll slide right out of their hands giving me a second go at them real fast.
I bounce on my toes, then push the door open into the hallway. No one’s there, thank fuck, because my ski mask and bat would probably freak them the fuck out. I just wanna scare the intruder. Maybe rough them up a bit.
I dig the key out of my pocket and unlock Hayden’s door so quietly. I even hold my breath. I step in and gently close the door behind me. There’s dim lighting coming from Hayden’s bedroom. Along with soft moans.
What. The. Fuck?
I slide my shoes off at the door and slowly drop my gear bag from my shoulder and next to my shoes. I tip toe to the bedroom, bat raised and ready. The moaning gets louder.
“Fuck me, Hayden.” It’s a deep voice and whoever it is, looks up when my body darkens the doorway.
“What the fuck are you doing?” My eyes go wide as my brain fully registers there’s a guy with his cock out and masturbating in Hayden’s bed with a pair of what I’m hoping isn’t dirty underwear in his hands.
“Who the fuck are you?” they ask.
Looking them over, they match the description of one of the delivery drivers Mr. Arie described. Mid to late forties, salt and pepper hair, muscular, hoodie and jeans. Lou’s Flower Shop printed on the hoodie.
“I think the bigger question is who the fuck are you and why are you jerking it on Hayden’s bed?” I sit cross-legged in thedoorway, put my elbows on my knees, and lean toward him. “Seems weird, and to wear your company logo? Bad move.”
He’s still holding his dick and looks down at his hoodie. “How do you know it’s my company logo?”
I grin and shrug nonchalantly. “Wasn’t for sure, but you just confirmed it.”
“What’s the bat for?”
I look at it as if I’m just now seeing it. “Oh, this?” I give it another look. “We’re gonna play a game.”
His eyes widen. “I don’t want any trouble.” He must finally realize he’s still holding his dick because he shoves it in his jeans and zips up. He stuffs the underwear in his pocket and I almost tell him to leave them, but I don’t think Hayden will want them back knowing a guy jerked off in them.
“You kinda sorta started all the trouble when you started leaving creepy ass roses at Dallas’s and Hayden’s places.” I tap my bottom lip. “But how did you know where Hayden’s uncle lives?”
“Followed him there one night.” His eyes dart to the bat. “I don’t wanna die.”
“Shoulda thought about that before stalking people under my protection.” I push to my feet and pass the bat from one hand to the other.
“Please. Just let me go. I won’t do anything like this again. But they made me feel so good in the video. Hayden keeps responding to my emails. He’s so nice. I love him.”
“He’s straight?” I say it like a question, just like Hayden had. “But what’s this video you speak of?” I might have to sass the guys for keeping information from me.
“Few months back I won a contest, and the winner got a personal video message from Dallas and Hayden. They said I’m doing so good. They’re proud of me.” His eyes light up andthere’s a manic grin on his face. “Most people think I’m washed up, but they said?—”
“Okay, enough with the mushy shit. What should I do with you?” I tap my lips again.
“Let me go?” He asks hopefully, and I snort.
“See, I’m tempted, but how do I know you won’t come back again? I need a guarantee of some sort, and then I’m not sure I can trust you. How did you know how to rig up Dallas’s place? And to have a reflective plate cover? And where to hide from the cameras?” Nothing’s adding up.
