Page 13 of Forced By an Obsessive Bratva Stalker

Based on the nature of their conversation, I deduced that Iris was trying to get her to come with her to a club.

“Hmm.” I thought for a second, slowly stroking my chin.

Perhaps it was time to get directly involved with her instead of just watching in secret. I wasn’t sure whether that was a good idea or not. But one thing was certain: Every cell in my body wanted to be around her—close to her.

I was no longer satisfied with observing from a distance. And now, what had started as surveillance was slowly turning into something I didn’t think I was ready to label.

Chapter 5 – Aria

The mystery man who saved my life had been occupying my head since the incident. He’d shown up in the nick of time and prevented a major tragedy from happening to me.

His speed and moves were effortless and remarkable. He handled those assholes easily, without stress. They were as big and tall as he was, and two against one wasn’t a fair fight. Yet they had their asses handed to them by someone whose blows were powerful enough to crush bricks.

Those fists must be made of steel or something. And up until now, the image of the other man passing out from sheer terror still prompted a smile to my lips. He looked like he’d stared death right in the face and simply couldn’t stand it.

Who exactly was my mystery man, my knight in shining armor? I wished I’d gotten a proper look at his face, but he was so deep in the corner that the shadows shrouded his identity.

I wasn’t sure if that was intentional or not because I didn’t think there was any need to hide himself. Why did he have to conceal his face? It wasn’t like I’d have recognized him if I’d seen him.

Right?

I lay on my back in my room, staring blankly into space with a thousand thoughts tugging at my mind.

How had he known I was in trouble?

How had he shown up at the exact time that I needed help?

You cried out for help, remember? my voice of reason answered.

So, what, he just so happened to have been strolling by when he heard her cry? my voice of curiosity chipped in.

Ever heard of coincidence before? It’s a word. Look it up.

Coincidence? How convenient!

What are you insinuating?

I’m not insinuating anything. It’s just that the timing seems a little too…precise.

My voice of curiosity had a point, but it wasn’t valid enough. The man truly might’ve just been passing through when he heard my cry for help.

In that case, why didn’t he at least respond to me after I thanked him? Why did he choose to keep his identity hidden? If that had been a random encounter and he had been someone I wouldn’t have recognized, he would’ve revealed himself.

Yet, he didn’t.

And why did his presence feel so strangely familiar? I could’ve sworn that we’d crossed paths before; I just didn’t know where or when. Maybe that’s the reason he hid in the shadows—so I wouldn’t recognize him.

The more I tried to recall where I’d sensed that kind of presence, the more confused I got.

You’re channeling your energy in the wrong direction, said my voice of reason. Instead of being grateful to our mystery man, you’re trying to unmask him.

What’s wrong with that? Last time I checked, she’s a journalist, and uncovering what people try to hide is part of the job description, my voice of curiosity shot back.

Yeah, good luck with that.

The voices went silent, and I lay there in the stillness with a pillow to my chest. Nothing made sense to me anymore, especially because I knew something was off about my mystery man but couldn’t prove it.

I tried to let it go, but there was no way in hell that my curious side was going to allow that to happen.