Page 33 of Dr. Do-Right
“Am I being fired? Are you here to escort me out?” My head swiveled back and forth between Asher and Caplan.
My director winced, padding over to a pitcher of water on the sideboard. “Of course not, Rija. You’re integral to our team. This is a matter of your personal security.” He poured a glass and handed it to me with a bracing look. Like I was going to need something to hold on to for this conversation.
“Ma’am, perhaps you’d like to sit down? I can explain a few things before we head out.”
“Head out?” The water in my cup rippled. I had a sudden, impeccably clear mental image of it slipping out of my hand and cracking open on the floor. I squeezed it tighter, holding it with two hands. “I still have to finish my shift. And then I have dinner at my parents’ house…”
I trailed off. Asher was already shaking his head. “I’m afraid not, ma’am. We need to get you to a secure location ASAP.”
“Secure…” I trailed off again, tired of just repeating everything he said. I took a breath and a sip of the water. It eased my dry throat enough that I started over. “I’m sorry. I don’t understand what’s happening.”
Asher nodded gravely. “Yes, ma’am. I understand. Maybe you’d like to take a seat for this. I’m aware this might come as ashock.” He waited for me to perch on one of the leather chairs facing Caplan’s desk before he continued. “My company, RISI Securities, provides personal security services for Dr. Dobrev. Recently, he’s received several threats to his life, and this morning, we received one targeting you—”
“Death threats?” I sprang to my feet, water sloshing around me. “Is Malachi alright?”
Asher reached his hand over, plucking the glass from my grasp and setting it lightly on the desk beside him. “Dr. Dobrev is fine. Safe at his apartment. I assure you, he is completely unharmed and will remain so for a very long time, if we have anything to say about it. Please.”
He gestured again at my chair. Something about the soothing tone of his voice and the hint of his wry smile settled some of my nerves. Malachi was okay. That was good. But my head was still spinning. “He’s been receiving death threats? How long has this been going on?”
Asher watched as I sank back onto the edge of the seat. I couldn’t fully commit to the backrest right now, and he seemed fine with that. “Dr. Dobrev has had a stalker for some time. It seems his move to Chicago triggered something, and the threats began in earnest a few weeks ago. This morning, we received intelligence indicating that his aggressor is getting more serious, and is now focusing on you.”
“I…but he’s safe?” My palms weren’t just sweating now, they were shaking. Hurting. I realized I’d clenched my fingers so hard there were little half-moon imprints in my skin.
“Yes, ma’am. Completely safe, I assure you. According to his personal protocols, once he is secure, our team has orders to likewise secure Sonia Dobrev, Joanne and Richard Dobrev, and you.” That dry, unexpected smirk made an appearance. “I’m on Rija duty.”
“I’m…on his security protocols?” Something about the concept overwhelmed me. I buried my face in my hands. Out of nowhere, a flood of tears prickled my eyes. I still didn’t fully understand what was going on. All I knew was that Mal was in danger and had somehow still found a way to look out for me, even though he was miles away, across town in some sort of security lockdown.
My breath shuttered in and out, mind spinning to keep up. This was bad. Horribly, ridiculously bad, like something out of a movie. I pressed my hands harder against my face.Focus, Rija.I was trained in emergency response and triage. I could do better than this.
I bit my lip, the pain helping to center me. “How long has this been going on? The threats? The stalker?” I glanced up, hastily smearing tears away from my eyes. I could cry later, like maybe when I had Mal and Siggy in my arms and we were all a safe distance away from windows.
Asher nodded, his eyes warm and understanding. “That might be a conversation you have with Dr. Dobrev yourself. Would you like to speak to him? I’ve got strict orders to call him as soon as you’re secure. Now that you’ve been briefed, we can exfiltrate.”
“Yes, please, I’d like to talk to Malachi.” My shoulders eased a centimeter at the thought. While Asher pulled out his phone, I glanced back at Caplan, who was still hovering by the water pitcher. My stomach lurched again. God, how must this look to him? I was a hard worker and always tried my best to conduct myself professionally. And now, suddenly, I was using his office as a refuge from my boyfriend’s stalker? It was ridiculous.
“Director Caplan, I’m so sorry you’re getting dragged into this.” My fingers twisted in my lap. He shook his head, reaching over to give me a careful pat on the shoulder, like I could fall apart at any moment. I swiped my hands at the tears under my eyes again.
“Rija, really. Don’t worry about a thing. Your safety is my priority here. Let us know what you need and we’ll make it work, alright? Your job will still be here when all this has blown over. You understand me? That should not be your concern right now.”
It hadn’t been my concern until he’d said something about it. Double fuck. What would happen next? Tomorrow? This week? How long did it take to apprehend a stalker?
I didn’t have any answers. Instead, I just gave Caplan a trembling smile, falling back on the etiquette my parents had drilled into me since before I could speak.When in doubt, just smile and nod. “Thank you, sir. That means a lot.”
“Here you go. Answered on the first ring.” Asher handed me a phone. I grabbed at it with both hands.
“Mal?”
“Rija! I’m so sorry. I swear, I thought we had it under control.” His words rushed out of the speaker like they’d been bottled up for hours. The sound of his panicked voice sent a fresh wave of tears to my eyes. He sounded frantic.
“Are you okay? You’re sure you’re alright?”
His response was instant. “Yes, Ri. I’m absolutely fine. Are you?”
I glanced around, a surreal vertigo feeling ringing in my ears. “I’m not sure. I guess this all just feels so sudden and crazy. Mal, how long has this person been threatening you? Why didn’t you tell me?”
He blew out a long breath. I could practically see him hunched over on the couch, scrubbing his hand down his face. “A long time, Kitten. Too long. I should have…done more for her. And now it’s too late.”
I sniffed, the regret in his voice not doing anything to help the tears that wouldn’t stop running down my cheeks. “Her? Your stalker?”
