Tackling Tobias (Big Sky Universe)

“Who is this?” I ask, my voice shaking.

“He’s mine. You need to leave him now, or I’ll make sure you don’t get to the wedding tomorrow.” The call ends abruptly, and I drop to the floor in the laundry room where I’d been folding clothes.

I look at the phone, and the number comes up private which I suspected. I’m gonna bet they aren’t going to be able to trace the call. This woman knows how to get to me and I have no clue who she is.

Who is she? Is it the same chick who was fired or another woman after Tobias?

The first time it was annoying. This time it’s scary. I rock myself as I contemplate my next move. Tears fill my eyes and spill over before I realize it. “No. Don’t let this bitch get to you. Talk to Tobias,” I say to myself, firming my resolve. I’ve been through a lot in the past six weeks, and I’m not a coward. I have to speak to my fiancé and get the truth out of him. I get up and out of the laundry room and slam right into my future sister-in-law.

“What is going on?” Lara asks, grabbing me by my biceps. “Why are you crying? What did my brother do?” She sounds pissed. I’m not ready to spill our problems out to everyone especially when I haven’t spoken to Tobias.

“Nothing.” I notice Landon’s behind her and on his phone. I hear the boys running up to their room. They must have just gotten in. I can’t believe I didn’t hear them. How long was I sitting on the floor?

He hangs up and says, “Come on into the living room and sit down.” He leads me to the living room to avoid any objection from me. “I’ll get you a glass of water.” He caresses his wife’s cheek before leaving the room. Even in my anxious and angry state, I can’t help but adore his affection for her.

Seconds later I hear the telltale sign of footsteps through the back room. “Ava. Where are you?” he calls out while walking quickly.

He comes into the room with his boots still on and drops to the floor in front of me. “Baby, what’s wrong?”

“Did you call him?” I stare at Landon, glaring at him even though honestly I’m happy he’s here. I have to get this off my chest before I break down in tears again.

“Fuck, yeah, I did.” Landon nods as if it’s not a big deal and then hands the water to Tobias, who brings it to my lips as if I can’t do it myself. I take it from him a little more aggressively than I should have, but my emotions are running the gauntlet.

“He should have. What’s going on?”

“I got a call from some woman, threatening me.”

“What?”

“She told me you belong to her, and that I better call off the wedding or there won’t be one.”

“Oh my God,” Lara cries out. I stare at Tobias, looking for some answer. Something to make me feel better, but I don’t see it in his eyes.

“It might be the right thing to do.” My mouth drops open as I stare at him in confusion.

“Are you fucking serious?” I push off the sofa. I’m about to toss my ring at him when he grabs my hand.

“Baby, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean that. Well I didn’t mean that exactly. Shit. I’m fucking it up. I want to marry you right now. What I’m saying is that I think the person who’s stalking me believes that. Whoever is after me must be someone from town because we’ve kept our plans a secret and I haven’t heard from reporters since that day.”

“So you want to hold off?”

“No, I want to call the judge in right now and have him bring everything here.”

“But…why didn’t you tell me that you had a stalker?”

“Honestly, I forgot about her. I don’t even know who this person is. I haven’t heard a word in at least six months, so I assumed she found someone else to stalk. When you first came here and I saw you in my bedroom camera, I thought maybe you were her.”

“I’m betting she didn’t think you had anyone and then seeing Ava with you triggered her. Hearing about the wedding forced her to take drastic steps.”

“How did she get my number?” I ask, shaking my head. It makes no sense. I haven’t called anyone besides Tobias, Louisa, and Lara. Shit. The wedding prep.

“Did you give it to anyone?” Lara asks.

“I filled it out when I ordered the cake and the wedding meal.”

“I’m going to send my security team to check it out, but we’re getting married in two hours. We’re off to the courthouse in twenty. Get dressed, babe. I’m not waiting another minute.”

“Are you for real?” My mouth drops open like he’s nuts because he’s got to be. I’m not even sure the courthouse does these quick weddings today.