Big Daddy

Panic came over me, but I kept telling myself that I was overreacting. I decided to call the number just to be sure, and I’d go ahead and tell her to be on the lookout for Nick, just in case.

I dialed and tapped my fingers nervously when she didn’t answer. Then I dialed the house, but that led to nowhere too. I hurried and dialed Cynthia as quickly as I could and felt a rush of relief when she answered the phone.

“Hey, Chance. I was just about to ring you myself.” Cynthia’s voice was strained, and I could hear Star in the background asking to talk to me. “Just a moment,” Cynthia said with a muffled voice.

“Why aren’t you at the house? Did you invite Dream to yours?”

Cynthia let out a breath. “No, Dream left. She got a phone call about an hour ago, and though she said it was nothing, I didn’t believe her, but she wouldn’t answer me when I asked if it was the person she was running from. I knew something had to be up with her. She up and left in such a hurry; told me to tell you that she was sorry.” Cynthia’s concern was evident in her tone.

“Shit!” I said, slamming the heel of my hand on the steering wheel. “Cynthia, I need to you keep Star at your house and keep your doors locked. Don’t go out or answer to anyone until you hear from me again, ok?” I knew Cynthia was not your typical little old lady neighbor. She had a gun and a permit to use it, and we’d gone target shooting a few times before. I knew she’d be able to protect herself and Star if need be.

“We’ll be fine here Chance. You just go get Dream and please be careful,” she said.

“I’m not the one who needs to be afraid,” I said, my voice a low growl.

I hung up the phone and dialed Dream’s number again, hoping she’d answer and tell me where she was. I turned on my phone and went to the GPS app I’d set up in case I needed to find her. I felt horrible doing it without her knowledge, but I needed to know she was safe and I’d had the opportunity. Surprisingly, she was in the next town, and she wasn’t moving.

I dialed her number again, and then when she still didn’t answer, I texted her to let her know I’d just keep calling. Finally, I got a call back. Her voice was a panicked rush when she answered. “I’m sorry, I couldn’t put Star in danger. He knows where you live.” She was sobbing uncontrollably.

“You can’t run forev—Shit!” The car came out of nowhere, and this time it was the same car that had been waiting out front of the diner. “I’m being followed. Don’t go anywhere. I know where you’re at. I’ll lose him, and then I’m coming for you. Wait inside the bus station and don’t come out until I get there. Cynthia has Star and can go with my friend for a few days. I’ll call Austin, and we’ll get this worked out. I don’t want you to live this way. He has to be stopped.”

“There’s something you need to know about him. He’s a sociopath, and he has no remorse. He’s told me that he’d killed before.”

“I’ve killed too, Dream. I’m not afraid of that or him. I’m not going to let you deal with this alone.”

“You don’t owe me anything, Chance. What happened between us, it was amazing, and I wish we could have more, but I can’t drag you into what’s happening. The only way to stop him is to kill him. As much as I hate him, I can’t do that. I can’t ask anyone else do that either.”

“Dream, you have to trust me.” She had no idea what being a SEAL meant, and I wasn’t above using my past to take care of the likes of Nick the ex.

“Wait, you said you know where I am.” I had a feeling my tracking her wasn’t going to sit well. I didn’t need to break our trust, but I knew I couldn’t lie either.

“When I set up the new phone, I put a locator on it.”

“Shit,” she said with a huff. “I should have known.”

“Look, I only did it to make sure that if you were in danger, I could find you.”

“I’m not your responsibility, Chance, I’m a grown woman. You should run the other way screaming.”

“I care about you, and I’m not leaving you for him to find. He’s right behind me. I’m going to have to lose him and then I’m on my way.”

She sniffled, and her voice broke as she begged me, “Please be safe. I feel horrible this is all happening.”

“I know, but it’s not your fault. None of this is. He’s a sick asshole, and he needs to be put out of his misery. Talk soon. Keep your phone handy. Promise me, Dream. Promise you will stay put.”