Page 71 of Her Dom's Secret Past

I’d thought he was joking, but he assured me he was all for it. Told me he had a tux, and we worked out the first bride would walk down alone and then I’d alternate between bridesmaids and brides with John escorting each of the remaining four brides. He seemed very excited by the plan when I decided we were going ahead with it. My parade was at four, which I was pleased with.

We’d also made up little tiny giveaway bags. They had swatches of fabrics, laces and ribbons, some heart-shaped chocolates wrapped in pink foil, a white pen,ascented white candle with a few crystals stuck on the glass jar it was in, as well as brochures outlining the services we provided.

When I got home and collected the mail, I noticed an official-looking envelope. I almost vomited when I read it—Ed had been released after serving his term in July—this was now October. Fuck, he’d been on thelooseall that time! That made me think about the man I’d thought was following me—maybe he was a friend of Ed’s. I didn’t know whether to talk about it with John. I hadn’t told him everything about Ed because it was over and he was in jail, but now I wasn’t sure.

Tomorrow night I was spending at John’s and he was driving me to the Expo atHomebush, spending the day with us. I hoped it wouldn’t be too boring for him. Charlie was dropping me off at John’s because I had no idea what time we’d finish and didn’t want John sitting around waiting. Maybe I’d tell him about my fears tomorrow.

Saturday morning, I drove to the boutique and was convinced someone was following me. There was a dark sedan that kept pace with me. When I drove into the private car park, I did a quick glance in the rearview mirror as the car went past the gates.

“Fuck!”

My mind played tricks as I tried to remember what Ed looked like. I parked and raced inside. That was it, I was definitely talking to John about it when we got back home tonight.

Saturday was hectic at the shop. I was fortunate we only had two early appointments. Charlie and I completed the final arrangements for tomorrow, and then we closed the salon at two. I snuck out the back way, getting into my car, watching all the time. No one else was around. Charlie was going to follow me to my house and then he’d take me to John’s. I was leaving my car at the apartment until Wednesday. It was due for a service and I’d arranged for it to be done on Monday. The mechanic was a friend of Justin’s and had agreed to pick it up and drop it back to the apartment.

I drove out and onto the main road, checking my mirrors all the time, but I didn’t see the same dark car I’d seen this morning.

Maybe by leaving early and out the back way I’d thrown him off my tracks. Charlie said he hadn’t noticed anything when we reached my apartment. By the time we’d arrived at John’s, I started to think maybe I’d imagined it all. Although Charlie told me I definitely should tell John, just to be on the safe side.

I kissed his cheek and got out of the car, waving as he drove off down the track. John walked out to me and I practically threw myself into John’s arms.

“Hey. I missed you too.”

Then he kissed me and everything was right again.

“What’s wrong, sweetheart? You’re shaking.”

“It’s probably nothing honestly, it’s only me being paranoid.”

John took my hand and led me into the great room. “Sit down and tell me.”

He sat, pulling me onto his lap, and I leaned my head on his shoulder and sighed. “Remember I told you a few years back I went out with a guy and when I told him I wasn’t interested in going out anymore with him, he didn’t take kindly to it? Kind of crazy considering we’d only went to a movie and had dinner twice.”

“Yes, I remember.”

“Anyway, as I said, over the next eight months he stalked me. What I didn’t tell you was in the end he actually attacked me. I ended up in hospital with a broken arm and ribs, and a concussion, plus internal bruising to my kidneys and liver.”

“Ana! No, that’s terrible. You should have told me it all.”

“We’d only just met and it was kind of weird telling you everything.”

He grinned and ruffled my hair. “I hope the police did something.”

“Yes, he got sent to jail and I got a permanent restraining order against him. Anyway, I thought someone was following me through the week.”

I told him about Becky and our experiment.

“Then this morning someone followed me in a car. When I drove into the car park, I saw him as he went past and he kind of looked like Ed, at least I think he did. Yesterday, I found out he’s been released.”

“Sweetheart, you have to ring the police. If he’s doing that, he’s breaking the restraining order.”

“It mightn’t be him. It might some big coincidence.”

He looked serious as he said, “I don’t believe in them. Ana, do you know the police officer who handle the case?”

“Yes. At the time I had to send him all the emails and let him know whenever I got anything.”

“Right, let’s ring him and tell him what’s happening.”

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