Page 42 of The Burdens We Share
“No!”
He looks down at me, “Ivory, I said let go.”
“Please, don’t leave me alone,” I beg, using the only weapon I have against him. I know Dallas would never leave me alone in my state if I asked. The truth is, as much as I want Dallas to find him and put an end to this, the thought of him alone or anywhere near my stalker terrifies me. My stalker has shown time and time again that Dallas’ presence in my life angers him. I’m afraid that he may try to hurt Dallas to get to me. Thethought of Dallas injured or worse makes me more afraid than I was when it was just me he wanted.
Dallas’ eyes soften only a tiny bit, not enough to cool him down completely. He grunts as he squeezes my hand, “Stay behind me.”
Before I can protest, he dips inside my hotel room, hiding my body behind his with his large hand holding mine. I stay close to his back, resting my other hand on his bicep and I realize suddenly that he’s shirtless. I look down and find that he’s in a pair of sweat shorts. I have a perfect view of his naked back and I am proud to report that it’s muscular and chiseled as fuck.
My tears start to dry up as I admire him. I knew that Dallas Carter was a very large and very muscular man, but looking at those muscles in person, this close takes muscular to a new level. I should put him shirtless on a stage and charge people to ogle him because he truly looks like some kind of superhero or something.
Dallas drags me around the room with him as he searches every inch and when he finds no sign of anyone in my room, he releases my hand and storms over to my pillow. He grabs the rose and crushes it in his palm, pink petals fluttering around his feet. When he’s satisfied with his destruction, he reaches for the envelope and opens it. I watch him read and with each letter, each word, each line, he grows more furious.
“What does it say?” I squeak.
He looks up at me with dark eyes and reaches the note out to me for me to read. With a shaking hand, I grab it and start reading:
Ivory,
It’s almost too easy to be close to you, even when you think you’re alone. Did you enjoy your shower? I almost stayed to watch, but I’ll save that for another time. The way you let your guard down is beautiful,and it’s in those moments that I feel closest to you.
The rose is a reminder—you can’t escape me. Even with Dallas in the next room, it wasn’t hard to slip inside. He thinks he can protect you, but he has no idea how easily I can get to you.
Until our next encounter.
Yours, in every shadow.
I drop the note and place a hand flat against my chest, trying to gain control over my breathing. Dallas watches my every movement and it’s under his stare that I realize for the first time that I stand before him in nothing but a towel that barely covers my ass. My cheeks turn bright pink at the realization, but Dallas doesn’t seem entirely focused on my appearance. He seems more consumed in rage.
“I need to clear the rest of the suite,” he growls.
I panic, “Do you think he’s in here still?” My voice comes out so faint, that it almost sounds like a whisper.
His eyes suddenly leech of color, becoming so dark I almost shrink into myself. “If he is, he isn’t leaving alive.”
My eyes widen as I watch him step past me, intent on searching the suite. I grab his hand so he can’t pass me and he whips his head at me, “Ivory.” His voice is a warning.
“Can you check my bathroom?” I worry. What if he never left the bathroom? Oh my God. What if he really did see me naked?
Dallas nods, changing his direction as he barges inside the bathroom. I take the opportunity to grab a pair of pink shorts and a gray tank top to change into so that I’m not walking around in a damn towel. When Dallas exits, shaking his head, I know my stalker isn’t in the bathroom. He could still be somewhere in the suite, but I doubt it. I’m sure he made his swift exit by now, especially because Dallas is openly searching for him.
He pushes past me and doesn’t turn to face me when hecommands, “Stay in here and lock the door. Do not open it until I tell you to.”
“Dallas,” I rush out.
He stops, hearing something in my voice, but still faces the door.
I say quietly, “Be careful.”
Dallas doesn’t respond as he exits my room and I lock the door behind him obediently. I change while I have the opportunity and wait. In about five minutes, he’s cleared the entire suite because he knocks on the door, “Ivory, open up.”
I undo the lock and swing the door open and when I take in the disheveled look on his face, I frown. His eyes are still dark, closed off. “He’s not here. He must’ve left when you were still in the shower.”
I shiver at the thought of him having been so close to me. Dallas must see the thought on my face as his brows crease, “I’m sorry he managed to get so close to you.”
I give him a soft smile to reassure him, “It’s okay.”
He scoffs, “It is not okay at all, Ivory. It’s my job to protect you and I failed at that.Again.” He runs stressed hands through his hair and I suddenly see how worn out he is. His job isn’t easy to begin with and then when you add protecting me to his to-do list, I’m sure the stress multiplies by thousands.
