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I open my eyes. Daylight pours in through the cracks in my blinds.

I’m in my room. Safe.

After Xander left last night, I closed the windows and the blinds. It was another mistake. I keep forgetting the simple things that could be the decider between life or death by Luke. That could’ve easily been him last night and not Xander. Grabbing that knife from my bedside was a fight-or-flight response. I’m thankful I chose fight. It’s a comfort knowing I wouldn’t be completely defenceless this time.

Rain hammers onto my window as I rub my face with my hands, trying to brush off that horrible reoccurring nightmare of Luke.

It was just a nightmare. You’re safe.

UNKNOWN: Hope you dream of me tonight

Asshole. The universe is out to get me today.

I shove the thin duvet off me, accidentally letting it fall on top of Sid, who doesn’t bother to move a muscle. He likes sleeping covered under blankets; it’s one of his favourite places to be. It’s understandable. If I was a cat, I’d sure feel safe under all that cotton.

I pad into the bathroom, grabbing a small face cloth on the way. I run it under the cold water and place it on my neck, cooling myself down.

I close my eyes and sigh while tipping my head back.

The intangible feel of Xander’s body caging me in against the wall wraps around me, and my heart starts slowing. It’s like I can feel him right here. His powerful body. The protective stance.

He’s the reason for my slowing heart, and it makes no sense. A stranger shouldn’t make me feel this safe.

A man shouldn’t make me feel this safe.

But it’s the only thing that seems to be calming me down, so I let it.

My soul almost left my body when I heard him sneaking in last night. The faint smell of him settled in my nose before I used the knife, and some part of me wanted to believe it was him, too.

I know what he did last night wasn’t ordinary. It’s the same as what Luke did to me, but at the same time, so different. And some broken, unhealed part of me revels in it. The danger radiating off him. It’s probably one of the many things about me that needs to be fixed. Who in their right mind would crave the attention of a criminal and a stalker?

But there’s an aura of softness beneath that hard, immovable mask that is somehow drawing me to him.

Finishing in the shower, I dress in my usual leggings and top with an oversized hoodie. The rain outside is really picking up, and I’m silently thanking Xander for that car.

“Alexa, play Stand By Me by Ben E. King,” I call out to the small machine tucked away in the corner of the kitchen counter. The bassy melody fills the room, and Sid climbs on top of one of the barstools. Not that I can tell, but I’m pretty sure he likes this song as much as I do. He gets closer to Alexa every time, but far enough so that he’s not scared of her.

Humming softly, I pull open the curtains. The windows are splattered with streaks of raindrops, more pelting the glass. A figure leaning against my car catches my eye.

“You have to be fucking kidding me,” I mutter to myself.

That better not be who I think it is.

My phone chimes in my black hoodie.

UNKNOWN: Good morning angel

Despite my growing irateness at him, a smile ghosts my lips. A small confirmation that it is him indeed outside. A small change to the daily threatening texts.

Me: How did you get my number?

Xander: I’m your ‘boss’ remember?

Me: I thought I told you to leave me alone

Xander: And I thought I told you no can do

Me: Bosses don’t usually text their staff unless they want them to work. I’m planning on having a night off so no chance, boss