Page 35 of Under My Skin

Mercifully, my phone buzzed, saving me from having to answer Morgan. I pulled it out of my purse to check it and immediately wished I hadn’t.

To:Daniela Ramos [[email protected]]

From:Unknown [[email protected]]

Subject:BACK OFF!!! HE’S MINE!!!

If you know what’s good for you, you’ll stay away from Braden. He’s MINE, and I don’t share.

*picture of kiss outside the restaurant with a big red X over my face*

You’ve been warned.

-Me

I could hear my heart beating in my ears as I just stood there, phone in my shaking hand, unable to move or speak.

What the hell was this?Whothe hell was this? And, more importantly, how on earth had this person gotten my email address?

“Dani?” My best friend’s voice cut through the haze as her hand landed on my arm, making me snap out of my stupor.

I looked up at her, and her eyes were wide as she took in my present state. But I still couldn’t find a single word to explain this message to her.

“Is it Isaac? Did something happen?” she asked.

Instead of speaking, I just handed her my phone so she could see the text for herself.

“What the fuck?” she muttered, then took a deep breath. “Dani, you need to tell Braden about this. It could be nothing, but…well, I should probably let him tell you.”

What was she talking about? What hadn’t Braden told me before I’d signed that damn contract? Was it something that could put me – or worse, my infant nephew – in danger?

“How…how do they have my email?” I finally croaked out.

“I don’t know,” she sighed. “But, I mean, there were a bunch of pictures of you online over the weekend, and most of the articles mentioned your first name. Maybe this person had way too much time on their hands, did a bunch of digging, and connected the dots because you and I are friends and it’s public knowledge that I’m with Mal. Unfortunately, it doesn’t costmuch to do a background check and get your email address from that.”

“I guess…” I trailed off. “What do I even say to Braden?”

“Just tell him you got an email telling you to stay away from him.”

Taking a few deep breaths to calm myself, I pulled up my text thread with Braden and started to type.

Me

I don’t really know how to say this, but…well, I just got an anonymous email on my school email account threatening me to stay away from you. Is there something going on that I need to know about?

Not even thirty seconds after I hit the send button, his picture was lighting up my phone screen as the device vibrated.

“Hi,” I answered flatly.

“Hey, beautiful,” came the voice that was starting to make my stomach do flip-flops every time I heard it – but it was strained, unlike his usual carefree demeanor. “I know you’re busy, but do you have time to meet me for coffee or something so we can talk?”

“Um…sure. I’m just getting out of class. There’s a coffee shop called The Witch’s Brew about ten minutes from campus.”

“I know it. Meet me there in half an hour?”

“Is it okay if Morgan comes? She’s with me right now.”

“Absolutely. Whatever makes you comfortable. I’ll see you soon.”

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