As we drove home, I heard my phone beeping. The restricted number appeared on the screen. Connor looked over at me and could tell by the look on my face that something was wrong.
“What does it say?” he asked.
As I read the message, I instantly felt sick to my stomach.
“I masturbate to your picture, and you make me come so fast. I hope that turns you on. I dream about seeing your naked body and pressing it up against mine. I dream about being inside of you.”
When I didn’t say anything, Connor grabbed the phone from my hand just as we pulled into the garage of the penthouse. The anger that washed over his face was horrifying. I watched him take in a sharp breath and clench his fist.
“Connor, calm down, right now,” I demanded.
“How do you expect me to calm down when some guy says he masturbates to my wife’s picture and dreams about being inside you,” he yelled as he slammed his fists on the steering wheel. “I can’t just sit back and watch this. I need to do something.”
I couldn’t stand seeing him so angry. When we got out of the Ranger Rover, I stopped him before we reached the elevator, and I wrapped my arms around him.
“Please, Connor. Detective James is going to find this son of a bitch. Please stop being so angry. I know you’re scared and so am I, but I don’t need you going all crazy on me.”
He held me tightly; so tightly, I could barely breathe. “I’m sorry, Ellery.”
We broke our embrace and went up to the penthouse.
“I hope you two didn’t eat lunch. I made the most scrumptious salad for you,” Mason said as he emerged from the kitchen.
I smiled as we sat down at the table and he served us.
“Is Julia taking a nap?” Connor asked.
“Yes. The princess is down for her nap,” he replied as he sat down next to me.
My phone beeped, alerting me I had a text message. Connor’s eyes glared at me as I read it. “Relax, it’s from Peyton. She wants to drop by.”
Connor let out a sigh of relief as I secretly did as well. I wanted nothing more than to get my number changed. Suddenly, Connor’s phone started ringing from his pocket. He pulled it out and said it was Detective James. After a brief conversation, he hung up and looked at me.
“They were able to trace the text messages to a cell phone out of Chicago.”
“He must’ve been there that night at the gallery,” I said.
As we talked, Peyton came walking into the kitchen. We all stopped and looked at her.
“Hi. What’s going on?” she asked.
Connor and Mason both said hello to her, and I told her to have a seat. Mason got up, took a plate from the cupboard, and served Peyton some salad.
“Those text messages weren’t from Connor. Someone is stalking me,” I said.
“Stop it. That’s not even funny.”
“She’s not joking, Peyton. This is serious,” Connor said.
Peyton looked at me and then reached over and hugged me. “I can’t believe this. Do you know who it is?”
“Not yet. But we just found out that the texts were coming from a cell phone in Chicago.”
“Could it be someone from the gallery opening? Wait!” Peyton exclaimed as she took out her phone. “I remember this really weird guy there. I was on my way back from the bathroom and I saw this guy, standing in the corner,” she said as she showed Connor and me her phone. “He was taking pictures with his phone. It caught my attention because he had one hand on his crotch, like he was playing with himself. I thought it was funny, so I took his picture. I was going to show you, but Henry distracted me and I forgot.”
“Who or what was he taking pictures of?” Connor asked.
“I’m not sure, but I do remember looking over to where he was pointing his phone and Ellery was over there.”
Connor got up from his seat, walked over to Peyton, and wrapped his arms tightly around her as he kissed her on the cheek. “Do you know how much I love you?”
“Umm...sure,” she said as she looked at me.
“Send that picture to my phone, please.”
“I will, as soon as you stop smothering me,” Peyton said.
“Sorry, Peyton.” Connor smiled as he looked at me. “I’m going to call Detective James and then I’m flying to Chicago. I want to see those tapes from that night. I’m calling my pilot now to get the plane ready.”
“I’m coming with you!” I exclaimed.
“That’s fine. Mason, can you stay here tonight and watch Julia?”
“Of course I can. You two go and don’t worry about a thing.” He smiled.
***