“Noah sounds like a sensible man.”
“He has his moments. He’s really good for Lexi. He’s totally there for her, to back her up or make her see things another way. Then there are the times he can be a goofball and keeps her off-guard, which she needs.”
“She has changed so much since the last time I saw her.”
It was strange to think Lexi and Anthony had once dated. That the last time they had seen each other was in a courtroom.
“There is something else you need to know before we go over there tomorrow.”
He turned to her. “What?”
“Lexi’s pregnant. That means Noah is going to do whatever it takes to keep her safe.”
Anthony bowed his head. “I’d do the same.” Looking at Evie, she could see the anguish in his eyes. “He’s got to be caught, and soon. For all we know, he’s given up on Lexi, but we can’t take that chance. He might have a new obsession.” He stared at Evie. She shivered at the intense look in his eyes, knowing his protective instincts were for her.
*
After dinner, Evie was doing the dishes while Anthony dug around the board games for something to play. They’d decided they needed a break from all the doom and gloom. They couldn’t stay away from each other. She was happy when he kept coming up with ideas to keep her close by.
The window above the sink was open and the cool night air was coming through it. Lost in thought, she didn’t hear anyone approach. She stood there frozen in horror as a face popped up on the other side of the screen. The face that was so much like Anthony’s.
“You’re even prettier close up,” he whispered and proceeded to lick the screen leaving drops of saliva behind. “I can’t wait to see how you bleed.” With a manic laugh, he disappeared.
Evie screamed for Anthony who came running. She had barely gotten the words out when he grabbed a baseball bat and ran out of the cottage telling her to stay put.
Quickly she ran over to the door and locked it. With her gut in turmoil and shaking hands, she proceeded to close every window and close the drapes. She was afraid he was going to pop up again. In the kitchen, she grabbed the biggest knife she could find and armed herself with it.
Frantically, looking around the small cottage. She didn’t know where to hide. She went into the bathroom and locked the door, but scenes of Psycho and The Shining ran through her head. She didn’t want to be trapped in here with no way out. Settling on standing against the only wall in the cottage that didn’t have a window, she kept looking around waiting for him to burst through a window.
“Shit,” she said. There on the kitchen counter was her phone. She should have already called the police. Making a dash for it she grabbed it and returned to her spot. It took her three tries to finally be able to press the numbers 911.
Feeling better that the police were on the way she sat and waited, watching the clock. Hearing a key in the lock her heart leaped into her throat. For a moment she was happy to see Anthony, she started towards him and stopped. What if it’s not him?
Holding the knife in front of her she said, “Stop right there. How do I know who you are?”
“Evie it’s me, Anthony.”
It sounded like Anthony but she couldn’t be sure. “How do I know he didn’t find you and bash you over the head, steal your clothes and come back here?”
Anthony rolled up his sleeves to show her it was him. Dropping her weapon she rushed and jumped into his arms. “Oh thank God, I was so scared.”
“Everything’s ok. The bastard is quick. He had a car waiting. I couldn’t get the plate number.”
“Shit.” She pulled back from him and hit him in the chest. “What the hell were you doing going out there by yourself? He could have killed you!”
“No, he wouldn’t. Think about it, I wouldn’t suffer near enough.”
There was a knock on the door, Evie took that opportunity to call Noah and let him know that Jeremy was in the area. She also called Jackson so that he could make sure their grandmother was safe.
After the police left, Anthony leaned up against the door tilting his head back and closing his eyes. Evie could feel the exhaustion coming off him in waves. She went and wrapped her arms around him. They stayed that way for a while before either one of them said what was on their minds.
“I don’t know what to do. Should I leave? Will that keep you safe? Or should I stay and hope I can protect you? Hearing what he said to you makes me want to rip him apart with my bare hands.”
Evie shivered. She didn’t want to think about those words. “I don’t think leaving is the right option. We pick the place, not him. Besides, maybe we could use me as bait.”