Obsession Falls (The Haven Brothers #1)

“Maybe he wasn’t before.” I scanned the street for any sign of someone who shouldn’t be there. But I already knew this guy was good at not being seen. “But he is now. And he wants you to know it.”

“Why is he doing this? Why does he hate me so much?”

I knew exactly why this guy hated her so much, just like I knew who it was. Fucking Colin. He was taking his grudge against his ex-girlfriend pretty damn far, but clearly he was unhinged.

However, I didn’t want to argue with her about it.

“I don’t know.” I pulled her against me again and held her tight. “But we’re going to figure it out and get rid of the asshole.”

“That scared the crap out of me. I thought I might throw up on the way home.”

“Glad you didn’t. Max would have tried to roll in it.” That got a laugh out of her and I kissed the top of her head. “Is your mom still coming over?”

“Yeah, she’ll be here soon.”

“And then you’re hanging out with Marigold? Where?”

“We were going to go out to eat but I might ask if she wants to stay in. Just hang out here.”

“I won’t tell you what to do,” I said, in preparation for doing just the opposite and telling her what to do. “But stay in. You’re safer here than anywhere else.”

“You’re right. At least here there are plenty of cameras. I thought they were overkill but now I’m so glad you put in too many. Even though the squirrels keep setting them off.”

“The squirrels are annoying as hell, but I’d rather that than give this creep an opening.”

She pulled away and glanced around. “Do you think he’s watching us right now? I’ve never been so creeped out in my entire life.”

I wasn’t sure why, but my gut told me he wasn’t. That he’d bolted after leaving the note. “He could be, but I don’t think so. It seems like he’s good at staying hidden but I think he’s just a coward. He put that note on your car and took off.”

“Or maybe he got someone else to do it for him.”

“Maybe. Hard to say.”

She tucked herself against me again and took a deep breath. I kept an eye out for Max, but he was busy sniffing her car. Probably still smelling the stalker.

“I should go in,” she said. “I need to call Garrett and let him know about the call and the note. And my mom will be early. She’s early for everything.”

We went inside and Max went straight for his water dish, then to his favorite spot on the couch. He curled up and closed his eyes. Apparently his adventure to the pet store had been enough to tire him out.

Audrey got out her phone to call my brother. “Hi, Garrett. Yeah, there’s been another incident.”

I waited, listening while she relayed the information to my brother. When she finished, she put him on speaker so I could hear what he had to say.

“I’m sorry that happened, Audrey. Do you still have the note?”

“Yeah.”

“Stick it in a plastic bag for me. Based on the other incidents, I doubt we’ll get anything off it, but we’ll take a look anyway.”

“My fingerprints are all over it. I let Josiah touch it, too. Sorry.”

“It’s okay. We already know he’s careful.”

“What about the phone calls?” I asked. “Can’t you trace those?”

“We’re doing our best, but the guy knows what he’s doing. Every call originates from a different number, probably a different phone, and he’s using offshore VPNs.”

“Who would know how to do all that?” she asked.