Page 13 of Sullivan

Now.

Her expressive eyes widened at my one-word inquiry, and she struggled to remain relaxed. But I felt the tremor that went through her that had nothing to do with the temperature and everything to do with a memory.

“It was time to move.”

I shook my head. “Part of my job is knowing when someone is bullshitting me. Like you are now.” I took her hand. “You’re a terrible liar, Autumn.”

She sighed, breaking our gaze.

I squeezed her fingers. “I know I don’t have the right to ask, but I’m asking. Why?”

She tugged at her bottom lip with her teeth, worrying the flesh.

“Tell me, please.”

“I started seeing a guy. We met one night when I was out with friends. He was too, and we all sort of paired off. He was charming, nice. He asked me out and I said yes. But there was no spark, no chemistry. After a few dates, I told him I wasn’t interested in anything but friendship. He said he understood.”

“But?” I asked, already knowing where this was headed.

“He started stalking me. At work, home, the grocery store. If I went to the movies with friends, he’d be in the theater. It got so bad, I filed a restraining order, not that it did much good. The house I lived in was owned by my roommate’s family. Amber got scared by his constant appearances, his demands to see me even when I wasn’t there, and the threats. She finally asked me to move out. I couldn’t blame her. It was awful, knowing you were being watched, followed. And there was nothing I could do about it. He would bother her, asking for information, demanding that she give me letters he’d written. I couldn’t stay.”

“So, what happened?” I asked, feeling rage building. Simply talking about it upset her. She had paled, her voice dropping as if speaking too loudly would conjure him up.

“I stayed in a hotel close to the office for a week, staggering my times so he couldn’t see me. A couple of the people at work walked me to the hotel to make sure I got there okay. I didn’t want her to know what was going on, or for him to start bothering her, so I told my auntie Lynn I had the flu and called her every day to check on her. I snuck over once, but I was so pale, she believed I was sick and insisted I stay home.” She sighed, the sound low and unhappy. “I knew that I couldn’t keep going. Then this offer came up. I jumped at it, hoping if I disappeared, he’d forget about me.” She drew in a deep breath. “So, when I get home, I have to look for a place.”

I couldn’t respond for a moment. I was furious at the unknown man, angry at a system that did nothing to help the victim, and irritated at the roommate who asked her to leave, even when I understood her fear. The thought of Autumn scared, worried, and upset bothered me more than I could explain. I tamped down my fury, keeping my voice level.

“So you’ve been left alone to deal with this arsehole?”

She shrugged. “I spoke with Amber, and she says he stopped coming around. My friend at the office says she hadn’t seen him either after the first few days. I’m hoping my plan worked and, when I get back, I can find a new place quickly.”

“Where are your things?”

“In storage.”

“I want to kill him,” I stated simply.

She laughed. “Highly illegal.”

“So is his behavior.”

She sighed. “Unless he physically hurts me, there is nothing I can do.”

“Does this shite have a name?”

She frowned. “Why would you want it?”

I lifted an eyebrow, waiting. Finally, she huffed a sigh.

“Alan Blane.”

I nodded, planning on getting in touch with Niall as soon as possible. He’d find out what I needed to know and help me if needed. One way or another, this piece of shite wasn’t going to bother her again.

She turned to me. “I need you to know last night wasn’t how I usually act. I don’t⁠—”

I touched her mouth, silencing her. “I already knew that, mo fhiadh beag. It was very out of character for me, but I don’t regret it. There is something between us. We both feel it. We’re adults, and we’re exploring it. I think you are incredible. Sweet. Warm. You’re gentle and giving. My admiration for you didn’t change—if anything, it grew.”

“What does that mean?” she asked. “Those words?”