Page 47 of Always Watching
North looks out the window at the park, a soft smile on his face. “Yeah. That sounds like fun.”
“Okay,” I say brightly. Any time I can spend with North is a great time to me. “I’ll get changed and we can head out.” North always puts on clothes when we get out of the shower, while I put on pajamas since we don’t ever leave the house.
I finish eating and give him a quick kiss before going to my room to put on an undershirt, a light sweater, and joggers. Imake sure to put on one of the blue sweaters my grandpa gave me, since he told me before that he likes how the color looks on me.
Just before I step out of the room, my phone dings on my dresser. I grab it, kicking myself for almost leaving it. When I look down at my screen, the perma smile that’s been etched on my face drops as I see the message. It’s from my cam-site email. I can only see the first two sentences and I’m afraid to open it to read the rest.
IF I CATCH YOU DOING ANOTHER SHOW WITH THAT DOUCHEBAG, I WILL FUCKING GUT YOU, YOU FUCKING WHORE! I WILL…
The rest of the message is cut off by the notification window and I’m glad. I can’t read any more. A few messages popped up last week when I was camming alone, but North wouldn’t let me see. It was for the best, really, but I don’t like being in the dark.
At least I didn’tthinkI liked it. Now, I wish I hadn’t seen this message.
A hand landing on my shoulder has me jumping a foot in the air and covering my face with my hands to ward off a blow.
“Hey, hey,” North’s soothing voice says, and I let out a frightened breath. “What happened? What’s wrong?”
My hand shakes when I pass him my phone. He gazes at me for a few seconds, then takes it. A thunderous look crosses his face when he sees the notification.
“Ranen, I’m sorry. I’ve been blocking his messages.” North really does sound apologetic, but it’s not up to him to be sorry. Whoever is sending me these messages and fucking up my mental well-being should be fucking sorry. “Come here.”
I don’t realize I’m trembling until North pulls me against his body. He holds me tight, soothing me in a way I didn’t thinkpossible. His strong hand runs through my hair, dragging his fingers along my scalp. “I’m so sorry, baby. I’ll make this right. I promise.”
My eyes well with tears. I can barely see him when I look up at him. “How? How can anyone make it right?”
“I never make promises I can’t keep, Ranen. IpromiseI’ll make it right. I’ll keep you safe. Don’t ever doubt that.”
Sighing, I put my head back on his chest. “I don’t. Thank you, North. You’re the best thing to come out of this whole mess.”
He kisses my forehead again. “You still wanna go for that walk?”
“Yes. I still want to get out of the house. Now more than before. I need some fresh air.”
Hand in hand, we leave the house, my phone forgotten on the bed. I don’t want any more reminders of my fucking stalker.
The park isn’t overly crowded, just a good mix of people walking the trails and sitting on the grass, eating, reading, or enjoying each other’s company. Seeing people living, not in fear but with joy, brings me out of my head a little.
The same questions I’ve had since all this started keep running through my head: Who is after me?Whyare they after me? How do I stop them?
North taps me on my temple, startling me. “Get out of your head, Ranen.” I squeeze his hand tighter and nod.
“I just don’t know what they want,” I whisper.
“You,” he says back simply. I look at him sharply, my heart thundering. “I don’t tell you that to scare you. I’m telling you because I want you to know that he won’t fucking get you. Do you understand?”
“Yes,” I whisper.
He stops us in the middle of the path we’re walking on, causing other people to run or walk around us. I’m sure they give us dirty looks, but I only have eyes for North, and he for me.
His warm hands frame my face, his thumb wiping the stray tear that leaks from my right eye. “You’re mine, Ranen. I’ll fucking kill anyone who tries to take you away from me, do you understand?” I nod, hanging on to his every word. “Nothing and no one will hurt you while I’m around… and I don’t plan on going anywhere. He may want you, but he can’t fucking have you. You’remine.”
Then North plants a hard kiss on my lips, pulling my body flush against his as he ravages my mouth. I’m powerless to stop him, trying my best to keep up with his claiming kiss.
This is what I wanted—what Ineeded—from North. I needed him to show me I was his. Really his. Not just for the time being, until I’m no longer in danger, but forever.
I’m not sure how serious North was when he said he’d kill for me, but some part of me believes that if it came down to it, he would. That sense and smell of danger that clings to his skin came out in full force and I’m fucking drawn to it.
“Out of the way,” someone says as they walk past.
