Dance With Me (With Me in Seattle 12)

“I don’t even know what the hell is going on. You just suddenly have cops following you everywhere you go. It’s a little unnerving.”

“Trust me, I know.” I fiddle with the salt and pepper shakers. “I’ve had some threatening letters and stuff. But I get a lot of weird mail. You know that. So, I just blew them off as another weirdo.

“But a few weeks ago, it escalated to the person sending photos as well, ones they Photoshopped to look like I’m dead.”

He sets the bowl aside and leans on the counter, listening.

“I showed them to Levi, and he’s doing the cop thing, investigating it all and trying to figure out who’s sending them. So far, they can’t tell who it is. But the letters are disturbing enough to want some protection at all times. That’s why I can’t ever be alone.”

“I think we should invite the cops inside,” Jax mutters, shaking his head. “How long?”

“I thought it was about six months, but the guy working on my electronics at Levi’s office found emails that go back over a year.”

“Holy shit, little girl.”

“I know! See, I told you you’d yell at me. And trust me, I’m pissed at myself enough for both of us.”

“Why didn’t you ever say anything to anyone? More than a year ago, you were on tour and had a whole team of security with you at all times. All you had to do was hand it off to someone and tell them to deal with it.”

“I know.” I hang my head in my hands again. It’s pounding the beat of a cha-cha. “I just don’t remember them sounding threatening before. It’s gotten way worse lately. And we’re on it now. Levi will find him or her.”

“You should call him.”

“The stalker?”

“Levi.”

“I think I’m still mad at him.”

“Does he know you’re not ghosting him again?”

I look up as he empties the eggs into the hot pan and starts to stir. “Of course, he does. I’m not ghosting him, for Christ’s sake, I’m taking a breather.”

“Maybe you should just call and tell him that. Just to put his mind at ease.”

“Oh, for the love of Moses.” I walk into the guest room and retrieve my phone. I haven’t missed any calls or texts.

I dial Levi’s number and frown when it goes to voicemail after only two rings.

“He sent me to voicemail.”

“Wow, he’s really mad at you.”

My stomach rolls at the idea of Levi being so angry that he doesn’t want to speak to me at all. I mean, I know that’s how I was yesterday, but now in the light of a new day, I feel bad.

“Hi, Levi. It’s Starla. Hey, I just wanted to touch base with you today and say I’m sorry for being a raging bitch, and I’m not trying to skip out on you or anything like that. I’m not really mad at you. I just need a day or two, but I’ll be sure to text you and stuff, okay?” I bite my lip and wish I didn’t sound so stupid. “I hope you have a good day. Okay. Bye.”

When I hang up, Jax is staring at me like he’s never met me before.

“What?”

“Jesus, you sound lovesick.” He scoops some eggs onto a plate, adds two halves of toast, and passes the plate to me. “Just go find him.”

“No. We’ve been together pretty much twenty-four-seven for the past couple of weeks. A day apart won’t kill us, and maybe I need it. He’s amazing. But sometimes, he’s intense.”

I tell Jax about the day of the interview and how Levi fired the security guy.

“Well, it sounds like that guy was an idiot.”

“Of course, he was an idiot, but that didn’t give Levi the right to—”

“Okay, stop talking.” Jax sets his fork down and leans in, looking all alpha and fierce. “When a man is trying his damn best to protect you from a real threat and love you at the same time, don’t sit there and complain about it. Because let me tell you, there are plenty of men out there who wouldn’t give a shit as long as you let them fuck you. If that’s what you want, you can find it.”

“That’s not what I want.”

“Then let him do his job, as both a cop and your man.”

I frown down at my plate for a moment, thinking about Jax’s words. “He hasn’t ever said he loves me.”

“I don’t know why any of us do, because you’re a stubborn ass,” Jax says with a humorless laugh. “Of course, he loves you. He’s done nothing but show you that he does, even if he hasn’t said the words.”

“Yeah.” I scrub my hand over my face in frustration. “You’re right. You’re absolutely right. And I’ve done my best to cooperate with him. I’m never alone, Jax.”

“And for you, that’s like being at Guantanamo.”