Page 58 of Tangled in His Game

And E...

Emi.

It’s what Victor calls me. Was it him? Did he carve our initials into that tree, with a heart? But why? We’re not high school sweethearts or anything, and I’m pretty sure Victor doesn’t like me that way.

He wants to fuck me, but there’s no way a guy like him would fall for a girl like me or even want to date me. So why do it? Just to unnerve me? To prove that he was here and watching my house? Probably.

Why is he still doing that? Why is he watching my every move? I trace my finger over the initials. It’s so weird. Maybe he plans to use it against me somehow and try to make everyone believe I’m so obsessed with him that I did this. But no one really knows he calls me Emi. If it were an N, then maybe it would work out for him.

I guess this is another one of his intimidation tactics. Just because he wants to fuck me doesn’t mean he won’t do everything to get me out of Emberwell. Maybe he hates that he’s attracted to me, so he thinks that if I leave, everything will be great again for him and I won’t be distracting him.

But it’s totally his fault if he’s distracted. He could just ignore me like everyone else does, so what’s stopping him from that? There’s definitely no need for him to stalk me, and yet, he keeps doing it.

Maybe I should try to catch him in the act and record him. Then he’ll have trouble explaining away what he’s doing in front of my damn house. But is it even worth the trouble?

I should focus on figuring out who started the fire and find out if they’re really connected to Victor so I’ll know who my real enemy is.

Chapter 28

INSTEAD OF OFFICIALLYreturning to college, I decide to stalk Victor. Since he’s still going to class and practice, it isn’t all that hard to keep an eye on him. I’ve brought my books with me so I can pretend I’m studying while I sit on a bench outside that gives me a great view of everything.

If Victor is still meeting with that guy, it won’t happen anywhere inside or at least I hope so. The guy isn’t a student here, so it would be weird if he entered any of the buildings because someone could start asking questions.

They met in the dark alley and the shadowy corner of that bar for a reason. I don’t even know what I’m going to do once I find out who the guy is, but that’s something I’ll think about later.

I hold up my book in front of my face so that Victor doesn’t see me. He doesn’t expect me to be here anyway, since I’m not going to class, and I doubt he’ll pay attention to a seemingly random girl sitting on a bench and studying.

Even if he notices me, whatever. I have the right to be wherever I want, and he’s been stalking me, so it’s not like he can complain about it.

I peek from above my book. Victor should be returning from practice soon. But I can’t see him anywhere. I furrow my brow. Where could he be? Some of his teammates are on their way to the dorms, but he’s not with them.

I stuff my book into my bag and get to my feet. Maybe he stayed longer at practice or there’s something else he has to do. I don’t go too close, just stick to the trees so I can hide if I have to. No one’s coming out, and I’m just about to leave when I seehim.

The guy.

I lift my phone and snap a few photos of him. When he glances in my direction, I duck behind the tree trunk. I hope he won’t see me. Luckily, no one else is around, so they won’t be wondering what the hell I’m doing.

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