Her Bodyguard

“I just saw you today. Have you been drinking?” He always tended to ramble, but tonight he wasn’t making any sense.

“Oh, I’ve had a little wine. Just sitting here thinking about you.”

She grimaced and rubbed her temples. “This isn’t a good idea, Doug. You need to move on. Go out with someone else.”

“I don’t want to go out with someone else, Angela. I want you.”

“Please, Doug. Don’t—”

“Don’t try to deny it, Angela. We were perfect together. I felt it, and I know you did, too.”

“No, we weren’t. Don’t make it more than it was. We went out three times. I’m sorry, but I have to insist that you don’t call me again. If I have to, I’ll change my number.”

“Oh, Angie. You don’t want to threaten me. You’re just tired from all your exams. I’ll let you go to sleep. We can make plans later.” He laughed softly. “By the way, I really love you in red pajamas.” He hung up.

Angela frowned at the phone as her brain processed what he’d just said.

Love you in red pajamas.

Oh, God. She looked down at the red silk pajamas she’d put on after her shower—put on right here in the bedroom.

Her blood froze in her veins as the ominous implication of his words sunk in.

Now you’re in bed.

Love you in red.

Her gaze flew to her bedroom window. The blinds and the curtains were closed. There was no way anyone could see in.

She frowned as she looked around the room. Window, closet, bathroom doors, door to living room. There was no way he could possibly see, unless—

The answer that hit her like a slap in the face was inconceivable. It couldn’t be, could it?

“Oh, no,” she moaned. It was the only answer.

“No, no, no.” Her breath caught and her scalp burned with panic.

She wanted to scream. Wanted to vault out of bed and run. But if what she was thinking were true, he was watching her, waiting for that very reaction.

With her skin crawling and her insides knotted with fear, she reached out as quickly and smoothly as she could and felt for the switch on the bedside lamp. It took several tries with her terror-numbed fingers before she turned it off.

With the lamp off, the room was dark, except for the pale light seeping in around the window curtains. She stood on shaky legs, the hairs literally standing up on the back of her neck, and her shoulder muscles cramping.

She felt like someone was right behind her, breathing down her neck, about to grab her.

Moving slowly, as if it would keep her from being seen, she slipped out from under the covers and fled into the living room. For a few seconds, she just stood there in the dark while gigantic shudders shook her body.

Finally, she turned on the overhead light. She’d rather be seen through the balcony doors by half the population of New Orleans than consider what her brain was telling her.

“It can’t be—” she breathed. “Oh, God, what do I do?”

Her brain felt as frozen as her blood. She couldn’t think of anything except the awful implication of Doug’s words. How had he—? Surely he couldn’t have—

Yes. He could.

She had evidence that someone had been inside her apartment. Not to mention her feeling that someone was watching her.

And what he’d said.

“Police!” she said aloud. “I’ve got to call the police.”

Where was her phone? Staring down at her hands, she tried to make her brain work. She didn’t have it. That meant it was still in the bedroom. She’d dropped it, either on her bed or on the floor.

She had to go back in there.

“Oh, God, no. I can’t. He’s watching me!”

ANGLEA WAS IN TROUBLE.

Lucas jerked awake and almost tipped over his chair. He’d dozed off leaning back in it.

“He’s watching me!” Her voice was pitched high with panic. “Got to call the police!”

He blinked and focused on the monitor screen. She was standing in the living room in slinky red pajamas with her hands over her mouth, as if to stop herself from screaming.

Oh crap! She’d found the cameras.

How in hell—? He vaulted up, sending his chair flying across the room, and headed for the door.

He bolted down the stairs four at a time and hit the street door running. He had to get to her before she called the cops.

If the police came and found the cameras, a three-month suspension would be the least of his worries. His career would be over—hell his whole life. Not even Brad’s testimony would keep him from being thrown in prison.

And if Angela hated him before, she’d despise him after this.

He sprinted across the street and up the stairs, digging in his pocket for her key as he ran. With everything else that was about to explode, he sure didn’t want to wake up the whole building by crashing in her door.

He unlocked the door and pushed on it. It barely gave, and he heard the creak of wood scraping across wood.

Damn it! She must have blocked the door with a chair. He pushed as hard as he could against the wooden chair without shattering it.

“Ange!” he called. “Angela, it’s me, Lucas.”

“What—?”

“Let me in, Ange.”

“What’s—what are you doing here—?” Even though she was breathless and choked with fear, she got the chair moved and unlocked the door.