Shadows of the Night

Three

Sabrina

"I don't know, this has never happened before." I panic as I hold my phone.

"Did you respond?" Madison asks.

I shake my head. "No, I didn't know what to do." I huff.

"Just block him." She suggests with a shrug and sips her water.

We sit at the bar as Cody pours me a drink. He slides over my water and agrees with her. "Yeah, just block the asshole."

"But how did he get my number? I never gave it to him." I pause. "And you guys didn't either, right?"

"Of course not!" Maddie frowns. "I know better than to do that."

Cody shakes his head, his brown eyes meeting mine. "I wouldn't do that either. C'mon, you know we wouldn't do that."

I sigh into my hands. "I know, I'm sorry. I just don't know how else he got it."

"It's easy for anyone to get that kinda information anymore. Especially when they're crazy like that." He suggests while wiping down the counter.

Nathan walks in for his shift before clocking in. He spots us over by the bar and grins when our eyes meet. I give him a small wave.

"I know, but he doesn't even know my real name." I huff.

Maddie glances at Nathan. "Maybe he can help." She suggests.

I shake my head. "No, I don't want to get him involved in all of this. He's already done so much for me. I don't know, maybe I should just block him." I sigh and look down at my phone, staring at the frightening message.

"Yes. Block him." She agrees. "Problem solved."

"I guess this whole thing really had me spooked." I utter as I block his number.

"I don't blame you. I would be too." She agrees.

I notice the time and sigh. "I have to get ready for my show."

. . .

After the show, I watch Nathan standing at the back door as he silently scans the crowd of men before him.

Maybe I should've just let him ban Keith last night. Would that have prevented this? Or would it just have made it worse.

Guys like this always get the wrong impression that I want them here for all the wrong reasons. They take my kindness as a reason to act this way. It's just like what he said last night, giving them false hope.

I do try to set boundaries and make it clear I'm only doing my job, but men will read into things however they wish to please.

I walk over to the bar and ask Cody for another glass of water. After he pours me a glass, I take it over to Nathan.

When I approach him, I hand him the glass and say, "You look like you may be thirsty. Here." I grin up at him.

He smiles down at me and takes the glass. "Thank you."

I pause for a moment, then decide not to hold back my burning question. "Is it possible for someone to find someone's phone number without knowing their name?"

His smile drops. "I suppose so. Why? Is that guy texting you?"

"Well, yeah. He texted me last night, but I'm not sure how get got my number. It's never happened before." I hug my arms. Before he can speak, I add, "I blocked him already. I just wanted to know how he got my number."

I meant what I said earlier, I don't want him involved. The less he knows the better. I'm not exactly sure how dangerous this man is and I'd hate for anyone to get hurt. I just thought maybe he would have some answers for me.

He pauses as he thinks for a moment. Finally, he says, "I think we should ban the guy, Sabrina. I understand you want to be nice, but-"

"He's blocked." I interrupt. "What more can he do now?"

"You never expected this. You don't know what this man is capable of. You don't know what his next move could be. It's my job to prevent things like this." He explains carefully.

I sigh just as Keith walks in.

We both spot him at the same time.

Nathan steps forward before I place my hands on his hard chest to stop him. "No. Let me talk to him."

"Sabrina," He argues.

"I got this." I reassure.

He sighs and takes a step back.

I then walk over to Keith, who is smiling at me as I approach him.

"Hello, darling. Did you get my message?" He asks.

I nod once. "Yes. How did you get my number?" I notice Nathan glaring at him from across the room as we speak.

"I have my ways. Why didn't you text back?" He asks.

"Because I'm married." I lie.

He tilts his head and mutters between us, "Oohh, darling. You and I both know that's not true."

My heart races beneath my chest. I swallow hard as I attempt to be brave. "It is true."

"Sabrina," He utters, sending chills down my spine as the blood in my face drains to my stomach.

He . . He knows my name.

I don't have any socials and am very secretive about my identity. No man has ever been even close to finding out who I am. How does he know?

"How do you know my name?" I take a step back.

"Tell your boy to back off, and we can talk." His hoarse voice offers.

I pause and glance over at Nathan, contemplating his offer. Now this man doesn't seem safe to be around anymore. Nathan's right. He's capable of more than I thought he was.

"I have to get ready for my show." I step past him.

His hand wraps around my arm, pulling me back towards him.

"Hey!" I squeal.

Nathan immediately pushes the man off of me.

"Leave." His deep voice demands. "You're banned from here now. I better not see you step foot here again."

Keith glares into Nathan's eyes with his jaw clenched, then turns away without saying a word.

We watch as the door shuts behind him.

"Thank you." I tell him.

"Not a problem." He replies bitterly while glaring at the door.

. . .

It's almost the end of my shift. I just finished my last performance for the day and am ready to leave. I'm exhausted and my feet are killing me.

I kinda feel better that Keith is banned from here now. And I have his number blocked. I won't ever have to deal with him again.

After I say goodbye to the girls, I grab my purse and head for the door.

My eyelids weigh heavy as I'm minutes away from falling asleep.

Dragging my feet, I stumble on a floorboard and fly forward with a gasp. My body hits a solid man as his arms catch me around the waist. Wandering my eyes up slowly, I catch Nathan looking down at me with a small grin.

"You okay?" He asks while still holding me.

I gently gather myself back onto my feet and take a step back to observe this large, beautiful man. "Yeah, I'm just a clutz." I chuckle.

My phone buzzes in my purse suddenly.

"Thank you." I brush my synthetic hair away from my face as I pull out my phone to an unknown number calling me.

I've been expecting a phone call from the doctor lately, but they couldn't be calling this late.

"Hello?" I answer.

"Hello, darling." An unsettling voice replies.