Taunting the Stalker

Chapter 20- Ryder

I send Sam's plate number to a buddy who owes me a favor.
It's not long before I get his location, gathering my things before heading off to find him.
This was personal.

He wasn't too far away which was good.
I could be back to my girl soon.

His face when I showed up at his door was priceless.
Even better when I beat the shit out of him for grabbing my angel.
And best of all when I put a bullet in his stupid brain.
He'll never get to my girl again.

I'm on my way back when I hear my phone ring, answering it quickly.
Could be her.

I'm so happy to hear her voice until I notice how panicked she sounds.
My heart fucking drops
"Are you in my house right now?"
Oh fuck.

I tell her no- actually being honest at the moment.
Then she asks me again. It's then I know something is wrong.
I tell her no again- and she stops me.

"Cause there's somebody in my house right now Ryder."
Fuck.
Fuck.
Fuck.
The one time I'm not there to protect her.

I'm driving so fucking fast towards her the other cars look like they're standing still.
"I'm coming baby. Can you lock yourself in your bathroom baby? I'm coming"
I've never been so scared in my life.

When she begs me to hurry in a desperate voice my fucking heart breaks.
If anything happens to her I'll never forgive myself.
I should've been there.

I keep trying to reassure her, not even processing the words that are leaving my mouth as I get to her as fast as I can.
I turn down her street, unbuckling as I pull into her drive.

"I'm pulling up now. Don't fucking open that bathroom door for anyone but me alright? You hear me?" I say, opening my car door, hand reaching for my gun.
"I understand Ryder"
As soon as I hear that. I end the call.
I'm coming baby.

I kick open the front door as my eyes set on some man in a black hoodie, a mask covering half of his face.
He turns to me startled, nearly dropping the tv out of his hands.
This little fucker.
Stealing from my girl.

I point my gun at him and he freezes.
"Man- I'll leave. I didn't even take anything yet. I'll leave it all here-"
Shoot.

He falls down to the ground, his blood seeping into her pretty rug.
Sorry doll.
I call a team of people that can clean the body up and fix up the house for her.
I didn't want her to see this.
To see him.

I head upstairs quickly, approaching her bathroom door.
I take a deep breath.
I knock.
"It's me doll. I'm here. It's okay" I say softly.
Seconds later, the door is thrown open and she practically jumps onto me.
She sobs softly into my chest as I wrap my arms around her tightly, trying to comfort her in any way I could.

I rub her back softly, whispering soothing words to her, telling her she's safe now.
My girl must have been so scared.
And I wasn't there to protect her.
It's all my fucking fault.

"Thank you" she says softly
Thank you?
Of course I'd fucking come.

I just apologize to her. Over and over.
I'm so sorry doll.

"You were the one who came. Who saved me." She tells me, looking up into my eyes.
She's so fucking perfect.
Knows exactly what to say.
I just hold her tighter, wishing this girl knew that she was my entire fucking world.

"Don't go downstairs okay?" I tell her, explaining that I'll have some people come by and fix everything up for her.
I just want her to be able to relax. Not deal with any of that shit.
I just wanted to be there for her.

"What do you need? Water? Food? Anything." I ask her

"Just hold me please" she says
God, this girl couldn't be more perfect if she tried.

I nod, leading her over to the bed where she'd be more comfortable.
I sit back, surprised when she plops herself in my lap, straddling me.
I feel her hands come around my neck, her head resting on my shoulder.

I soon move to wrap my arms around her, pulling her tight against me.
This is perfect.

I feel her body relax in my arms, her eyes closing for a moment.
Then I realize something.

She asked if I was in her house.
Me.

She knows.
But she couldn't... she wouldn't let me hold her if she knew.
She'd be scared.

I take a deep breath.
"Hey doll?"
"Mmhm" she mumbles
"Why did you think I was in your house when you called me?" I ask carefully

She just lies there for a moment.
My heart is fucking racing.
I hope she can't feel it.

"How did you know how to get to my house so quickly?" She replies calmly

Touché doll.

I grin to myself as she nuzzles closer into the crook of my neck.
"You know." I say out loud, looking down curiously at my precious girl.
She knows.
How?
And why is she okay with it?

She leans up slightly to face me, a soft smirk on her lips.
"Know what Ryder?" She asks sweetly
You little fucking tease.
I grin widely.

"Don't play games with me doll" I tell her, gripping her hips as I pull her closer to me.
Her smirk just widens.
My pretty girl figured me out.
So fucking smart.

"You started it" she grins
"Yeah?"
"You're not a very good stalker you know..." she teases.

I can't fucking believe this.
"How long did you know?" I ask her, gaping at her in astonishment.
"The past three months... how long have you been watching me?" She questions.
"Around 4..." I smile.
My observant girl...

"I don't understand... you're not upset?" I ask her, genuinely confused.
But also excited.
She's okay with me.

She just shrugs, "I was bothered a bit at first... but I grew to like it..." she explains with a smile.
My girl.
Fucking crazy in the same way I am.
Made for me.