Bind Me (Private Listing #2)

Chapter 2

A Door Closes

Madison

We step out into the hallway. When Blake locks the door to my old apartment, I release the breath I didn’t even know I was holding. This part of my life is almost over.

“Madison!”

Ice creeps over my skin. I turn to see Robert rushing toward me, and my heart starts to beat again. I’ve been on edge, wondering if Valerie and Jeff would somehow appear. Blake steps in front of me, and Robert stumbles to a halt.

“Blake, right?” Robert grins and tries to peer around Blake to see me. “I’m good with names and faces. Aren’t I, Madison?”

“Yes, you are.” I move to the side a little so Robert can see me. I’m glad I put my scarf back on before we left the apartment. He would overreact to my injury and offer all sorts of things, like ice and food and a place to sleep.

It’s not like he doesn’t know I was injured. Blake told me Robert saw me when I was passed out that day. The picture of Blake carrying me flashes in my mind, and I take a half step away from Robert. What if he’s my stalker?

“I’m glad you’re okay. Did you want some chocolate cake? I have some cake. Just bought it from the grocery.” He gestures as he takes a step toward his apartment.

My chest loosens. I don’t think it’s Robert. Yes, he had the opportunity, but how would he have gotten that video in my apartment? He was only in my apartment one time and never left my sight.

Blake takes a step forward, as if to make Robert stop talking to us, but I rest my hand against the center of his back. Robert was nice to me, even when he gave me the creeps.

“Not today.” I smile wearily. “I’ve had a long day. I just need to go home.”

Blake tenses a little beneath my hand.

“Oh, okay.” Robert’s sad face turns into a smile. “If you need a place to stay, I have room. I’ve told you before, but it would be safe.”

His gaze darts to Blake. For the most part, he’s been acting like Blake isn’t even here, talking around him to me.

“I’m good where I am.” I give him another smile. Politeness was ingrained in me from a young age. I don’t see a reason to not continue to be polite to him. After all, he seems to care for me. “Thank you for your concern.”

“I watched your place while Blake took you to the hospital. Nothing happened until guys from Morrigan Technology showed up. They were good guys. Secured the scene and everything. Even fixed the door.”

“That’s good.” I scoot a little forward. Blake’s hand shoots out and holds my hip to keep me from going around him and getting any closer.

“Valerie came back the next day and cussed about the locks being changed. I told her she shouldn’t have hurt you.” Robert shook his head. “She wasn’t happy about that, but she left.”

“Next time you see her, don’t approach her, just call the police and tell them she’s here.” I glance up at Blake, but his eyes are narrowed on Robert. “The police are looking for her.”

“I can do that. Are you sure you don’t want cake? I can give you a slice like last time.” Gesturing for me to come along, he grins at me as he steps toward his door again.

“Not tonight, Robert, but thank you. We have to go now.”

Blake tucks me into his side as he maneuvers us around Robert to the stairs.

“You have my cell if you need anything or if you lost anything.”

I pause to ask about the lost thing. It’s an odd thing to add, but Blake keeps me moving. As he rushes us down the stairs, I pause to ask, “Where’s the fire, Blake?”

He grunts and lifts me up and over his shoulder. I cover my mouth to keep from shrieking. The last thing I need is Robert following us to the car. Blake holds me steady with a hand on my ass.

I give up and relax. He’ll tell me when we get to the car. I’m sure it’s about Robert, but it could be about Valerie. Blake doesn’t lower me until we’re at the car. The driver doesn’t even glance our way. I give Blake a look before climbing in.

When he joins me, I turn to him. “What was that about?”

“That guy isn’t all there.”