Page 4 of Stalker Daddy

“Leave everything electronic.”His clarification does nothing to settle the bundle of nerves under my skin.

“The only way to guarantee he isn’t hacking your information is to leave them, and this way, it will tell us whether he is physically or electronically following you.”

He has a point, and if he thinks it’s the best idea, then I should be able to function for a couple of days without my phone or laptop.It’s going to be hard, but I think it’ll give me undivided attention on my music.

“Okay,” I agree with a jerky nod.

He seemed surprised when I say that.“I expected more nonsense from you.”

I puff out my cheeks, indignant with slight grouchiness.“I can’t argue with you.You’re looking out for me.Besides, I trust you.”

Vito goes quiet, and I’m scared I said something wrong.What if I offended him?I don’t see how, but human nature is a complex thing that even scientists have a hard time getting to know on a deeper level.

“I-I mean, Cyrus said you’re a good guy, and you never hurt me before, so you probably wouldn’t hurt me now.”I pause with a thick gulp.“Right?”

His body straightens, and his hand leaves mine as he regards me with an intensive stare.The quick pulses in my neck sympathize with the scar on his neck as his lips twitch, gray eyes gleaming with passing questionable emotions.

“I would never hurt you.”

His words are comforting as I smile, nodding in agreement with this new change in my life.While it is nerve-wracking to live with me, I would think that spending time with him trumps the fear of the stalker.

“Come, we’re leaving.”

Now?So soon?

“I have to pack,” I say, but my words trail off as he tips his head to the suitcase.

“It’s done,” he confirms as he takes my shoes from the corner to the bed.He lowers the rail and takes the blanket off my lap.

I still have the clothes from before, and they didn’t cut them off, so that’s good.Vito makes me sit on the edge while he kneels down to put my shoes on.The heat from his palm on my feet burns through my socks.

The pair of socks have little cheese prints on them.He says nothing, and I’m thankful to him for not making me feel self-conscious about my socks.They are gifts from one of the employees that makes sure my performances go flawlessly.

I treasure every gift from those who are close to me, but I’m cautious when my fans send them.Although some of them truly have good intentions, it’s better to be careful than sorry.

Vito helps me off the bed, and my knees buckle for a moment.I collapse in his arms with a gasp of surprise.I pull myself up with a heavy breath, eyes wide with startled shock and weak knees.

The rush of blood is not a joke.This happens when I sit for too long and stand up too abruptly.

Vito lets me get used to standing on my own before he holds out a hand silently, demanding that I use him as support.I could never deny him of anything, so I put my hand in his, and he closes his thick fingers around my smaller ones.

Other than the age gap between us, his size is another vast difference from mine while his intelligence and strength are a force to be reckoned with.

“How long are we going to be away?”I ask, curious and desperate for a timeline.

“For as long as it takes to ensure your safety.”His answer is as vague as it’s going to get.

He has a point.Every day my stalker is out there; every day is a battlefield.I’m not sure I could win against someone who is determined to hurt me, but I have Cyrus and Vito with me.

Vito holds my hand, guiding me out from behind the curtain and into the bright emergency room.It’s busy with people coming in and out, but that’s expected from a high-stress job.

Those who we walk past look at us with interest because he and I are too different that I fear that we’re a spectacle.His hand tightens as he rolls the suitcase with my backpack on top.

I stick close to him, almost too close, but he doesn’t push me away.

“Your husband is so sweet,” the doctor that treated me comes up to me with a clipboard and a smile.

I sputter, “He’s not—”

---