Page 52 of Until the End

“Can I say something that’s not really in my job description?” Daren’s hesitancy makes me frown.

“Of course. I see you as a friend, Daren, not just an employee.”

“I’m glad to hear that. I just want you to know that the Weasel had a lot of us fooled, and I’m sorry I didn’t do something to help you sooner.”

I reach between the front seats and pat him on the shoulder with a laugh. Why am I surprised that Carson’s nickname for Wesley has permeated my whole team? “I appreciate you saying that. I don’t blame you for not noticing. It wasn’t your job to monitor my relationship. He wasn’t physically harming me, so how could you have known?”

“I knew you weren’t yourself, and that should’ve been a sign on its own.”

“It’s in the past. I’ll carry the trauma with me forever, but I won’t let it dictate my life anymore. Now, on to other traumatic topics. Have we heard anything from my stalker?”

Daren grunts. “No. The rat hasn’t come out of his nest long enough to track him. I’ve had the guys surveilling the hotel and keeping track of who comes and goes.”

“So there haven’t been any men in trench coats creeping around the lobby?”

Daren snorts. “No, unfortunately. That would make my job a whole lot easier.”

When we get closer, I place a call to the restaurant for a carryout order. I get entirely too much food, but we’ll need leftovers for tomorrow. I also got Daren his favorite curry to take home with him. He gave me the stink eye through the rearview mirror when he heard me order it.

A little while later, we’re pulling into the packed parking lot of the restaurant. Daren finds a space to squeeze into and heads inside to pick up our food.

I stare out the tinted window, coming to terms with how drastically things have changed. I was supposed to be married by now. Wesley and I would’ve just been getting back from our honeymoon, and I’d have jumped right into the recording studio for the next album. Instead, I’m living in a hotel with my best friend and hiding from a stalker.

It’s insane.

People mill around the area, carrying shopping bags. I’ve always enjoyed people watching, especially when I’m in the SUV. No one can see through the windows while I stare at them. Creepy, I know, but I find their lives fascinating. I want to know what they do for work and who their friends are. If they’re happy or just pretending to be. Living my life in a bubble of safety has given me a new respect for how others live.

Across the street from the restaurant, someone’s standingin the entrance of an alley. It’s shadowed and hard to see what they’re doing, but it feels like they’re looking right at me.

There’s no way they can see me—the tint is too dark.

I keep staring back, hoping maybe they’ll move and I can see their face. It’s definitely a man. The build just doesn’t fit the typical size of a woman.

Maybe it’s no one. He could be a drug dealer, waiting to make a deal, or a homeless person just hanging out. I have no clue.

What I do know is I’m glad I never got out of the car. They can’t know for sure that I’m in here. Even if they recognize Daren, they can’t see if I’m in here, which means for now, I’m safe.

Chapter 31

Carson

“Are you sure I can go with you?”

Ginny gives me an annoyed look. “I wouldn’t have asked if you couldn’t.”

“I mean, I know that. I just don’t want to be in your way.” I’ve been in LA for two weeks now, and the whole visit has been enlightening.

The first thing I learned is that I love getting to wake up with Ginny every single day. She makes me happier than I ever thought I could be. The second thing is that I won’t live another day without her.

She’s messy in a slightly forgetful way, but always picks up her stuff at the end of the day. If she doesn’t, she feels off-kilter in the morning. She’s also a grouch when she wakes up. I’ve learned not to have conversations with her for the first half hour she’s awake.

Ginny is incredibly thoughtful toward everyone around her. She buys her security guys snacks or meals if they’re out together for the day, and she brings home random things for me because she thinks I’ll like them. She got me an e-readerbecause she didn’t want me to get bored while I’m hanging out at the hotel.

I’ve also learned that sitting around doing nothing sucks. I’ve started spending time with Ginny’s security team and learning about what they do. It’s way more involved than I thought. Daren’s taken me under his wing, teaching me about how they keep Ginny safe in a city as large as LA. I’m grateful he’s the one in charge of her security. He’s beyond great at his job and takes it very seriously.

Ginny leans into my chest, tilting her head back for a kiss. I oblige her, needing the connection more than I realized. Being in her world hasn’t been easy, but I also don’t want to be anywhere else. Seeing this side of Ginny has given me a new respect for her. I can’t wait to watch her work in the studio.

“We need to go, or we’ll be late,” she says against my lips.

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