Page 46 of The Invite
“I know. That’s why I called you.”
“Since we talked on the phone, I brought you a few options within your budget. Want to take a look?”
“Yes. I want extra protection, so if you could also add a chain too, that’d be great.”
He regards me curiously before setting his bag on the floor and lowering to his haunches to unzip it. “I can do that. Are you new here?”
Do I have it tattooed on my forehead or something?
“Yeah, I moved here two days ago.”
“This is a fairly safe street and I haven’t heard of a robbery. But I understand your concern and it never hurts to have extra security for your peace of mind,” he reassures me while pulling out the different locks he brought.
My problem isn’t a pesky thief but a vicious stalker hell-bent on being my shadow. If I had the option to move somewhere else, I would run. But since it’s not possible, I’m stuck here and my only choice is to ride it out until hopefully Augustus loses interest in me.
I don’t realize I’ve gone quiet for long until Hans clears his throat.
“Miss?”
I blink. “Sorry.”
“That’s all right.” He smiles. “As I was saying, these are the locks best suitable for your needs. All of them are made of brass, which is the most durable. This one—” He points to the first in the row he’s laid on the floor. “—is a three-lock deadbolt and comes with a latch. I also have one with six bolts. It’s heavier and solid.”
“I’ll take the six-bolt one, please.” I tell him my preference. “Does it also have a latch?”
“Yes.”
“Great.”
Nodding, he puts the other ones inside his bag and begins pulling out the tools he’ll need to start.
“How much time will it take?” I ask.
“Since we’re replacing the entire lock, it’ll take at least an hour.”
“Okay. I’ll be in the living room,” I tell him. “Just holler if you need anything.”
He gives me a thumbs-up and turns toward the door. I leave him to his work and enter the living room, where I have books and my notepad open.
Tomorrow is Monday and I want to prepare for my class.
I got flustered the first day but I can’t turn it into a habit.
With the new lock installation, I feel so much better. This won’t allow Augustus to jimmy or unlock it. I’m assuming that’s what he did in the first place because there’s only a single key.
I busy myself into writing notes when halfway into it, my phone buzzes. My stomach bottoms out as I stare at the back of it.
Is Augustus texting me again? I was so relieved when I had an uneventful day. I hate he’s breaking the little bit of peace I found till this afternoon. Gathering courage, I flip my phone over and relax when it’s a friendly text from Ace.
ACE: Hey!
ME: Hi Ace.
ACE: Are you free tonight?
I ponder my answer. I’m confused because I want to be alone and at the same time, I don’t. As evening approaches, I’m worried Augustus will show up again to torment me. The kind of torment that seems to end with him playing with my body until I finish with an orgasm.
Shouldn’t it be the other way around? Most sexual predators only care about their pleasure. Yet Augustus never cares about his own. He’s content with rendering my body helpless and coercing my mind into enjoying his sick depravity.
