Page 27 of SEAL Summer Escape

“It’s not like he’s following me around at night, hiding in the shadows or something.He was at my front door!”

“Showing up uninvited again and again is stalking,” he said in a low voice.“Refusing to leave you alone.Not taking no for an answer.Didn’t you say you’ve missed work because of this?He came over and you didn’t want to leave?”

“Yeah, but I was afraid to leave him there alone because he was drunk.It’s not like he forced me to stay or something.”

“Maybe right now he just wants to talk or try to win you back, but what if this escalates?What if he comes over and won’t leave?Or if he won’t let you leave?”

“Well,” she hedged, shifting nervously from foot to foot.

“Is he up there?”Mason asked, nodding his chin toward the stairs.

“He hasn’t come down, so I assume so.”

“What floor are you on?”

“Third floor.Apartment 307.”

“All right.I’ll drag him out of the way if I have to.If you don’t want to involve the police at this point, we can call a cab or one of his friends to come get him.He’ll be pissed as hell if he wakes up feet from your front door.I’m not sure what other options we have.I could have my friends come and take him somewhere.”

“Your friends?I don’t want to get them in trouble.Besides, it’s embarrassing that my ex keeps coming around.”

“You have nothing to be embarrassed about.He’s the one in the wrong here.Let’s go see where he is.”

Mason turned and started up the stairs, Taylor following behind.He didn’t like that her ex was manipulating her.She was so concerned for his welfare, she didn’t want to involve the police.

But hell.

Guys like him just didn’t get it.

He reached the landing and crossed to her apartment in a couple long strides.Crouching down by her ex, he frowned.His eyes narrowed at the crushed flowers, but he didn’t say anything, just gripped him beneath his arms and dragged him roughly down the hall.

The guy was big—not nearly as muscular as Mason, but he could easily overpower Taylor if he wanted.

Too easily.

Eric continued to lightly snore but didn’t stir.Mason unceremoniously dumped him by the top of the stairwell.Crossing back to Taylor’s door, he grabbed the empty beer can and flowers.

“Where’s the trash?”

“Downstairs.”

He nodded and quickly jogged down, flinging the offending items into the trash can.A few moments later and he was back upstairs, walking over to Taylor.

“I can call the police.You can file a report and get this thing rolling tonight.”

She shifted nervously.“I’d rather just call someone to get him.”

Mason nodded, not happy with her answer.What choice did he have though?If he called them against her wishes, was he any better than this guy?The decision needed to be hers.She needed to feel like she was the one in control around him.“Do you have the number of any of his friends?”

“Yeah.The guy that has my car actually.”

Mason pulled out his cell phone and took a picture of Eric lying there by the stairwell.

“Let me see your phone,” Mason said.

Taylor looked at him questionably but handed it over.

“What’s his friend’s name?”After Taylor responded, he sent a text from his own phone.“I just sent him a picture and told him to come get his friend.”

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