Page 41 of Protecting Vera

Remi and Ellis nodded. They really were lucky to have found such good guys. She finished her drink, knowing she probably should head home before the sun went down.

“I’m also glad dating Ben has allowed me to meet you both. I like that I have friends out here, and I’ve only been in California for a few weeks.”

They both nodded, but Ellis spoke. “I’ve lived here a while, but it’s always nice to have new friends.”

Remi squeezed Vera’s arm. “That’s true. It’s always good to have some great friends like you two.”

Ellis checked her phone. “I should head home. I don’t want to be out too late after dark.”

Remi stood. “I need to head home, too.”

“Thank you for showing up.” Vera hugged both Remi and Ellis as they gathered their things and called for a shared ride.

Vera arranged her ride, thinking tonight she would take a bath and watch a movie. She needed more time to unwind and relax. Maybe she would watch a rom com and enjoy some alone time.

She stepped out of the bar, waving goodbye to her friends as their ride arrived. She watched the screen of her phone, seeing that her car was only a block away.

A strange feeling slid down her back, like maybe someone was watching. She glanced around, trying not to look too obvious as she searched for something off. There was nothing she could see. No one was around watching her. She needed to stop being so paranoid. Logan wasn’t close. If he’d left Texas, they would know about it. Thario would have told her. A panicked thought hit. But what if there wasn’t a record of him leaving? What if he slipped out without any notifications pinging them? She needed to stay vigilant, or disaster would happen.

Logan couldn’t believehis luck. Vera was leaving alone. He pulled out behind the car she’d gotten into. She was stupid. She had no idea she was being followed. She was making this so easy.

He felt like a real gangster or a private investigator following after the car she was in. When the car pulled over in front of a one-story bungalow, he memorized which one and drove down the block, slowing to watch her in the rearview mirror. She entered the house and turned on the light on the porch. Was she waiting for anyone else?

Since he knew where she lived, he headed to a fast-food joint to get his hunger taken care of. He would go back later to get her. He could use the tire iron on anyone else in the house. He would have her, and nothing would stop him.

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

After her bath, Vera headed into the den, trying to shake the weird feeling that had hit after leaving the bar. What was up with her? She’d had a great time with her friends, but something had felt off. Maybe it was just her missing Ben.

The movie didn’t totally take her mind off the weirdness, but exhaustion hit, and she was ready for bed. After making sure the place was locked up, she headed to her room and read for twenty minutes before turning off the lights.

The house was almost too quiet without Ben there. The other nights, she hadn’t had issues sleeping. Something just felt odd, like the sounds from outside weren’t normal, though she knew she was making that up.

After a few minutes of tossing and turning, she got up and headed to the kitchen for something that would help her sleep. She poured some milk into a mug and put it into the microwave when she swore she heard something outside.

Her stomach twisted tight, and she flipped on the lights in the back and looked out the window. She didn’t see anything, but still, she felt odd.

She decided to send Thario a note, asking if Logan had traveled. Her phone rang almost immediately, and she answered when she saw it was Thario calling.

“Hey, what’s up?” he asked.

She felt bad texting him so late. “Um, I didn’t wake you, did I?”

“No, and if you’re worried about something, I’d rather wake up and make sure you’re okay.”

“It’s probably nothing, but I feel weird. Like I’m being watched.”

“Have you checked outside?”

“Well, I thought I heard something out back and checked there. Let me go look out front.”

“Turn off all the lights inside first.”

“Okay.”

“Try to not disturb the blinds as you peek out.”

“Okay.” She felt like a broken record but worry and fear had her muscles tight. She didn’t want someone spying on her. If it was Logan, she would freak out. Hell, if it wasn’t Logan, she would freaking die. There was no way she could have picked up a second stalker, and if she had, it would mean she had shit luck.

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