Derrick’s body outline comes to focus, and I breathe in relief, but he isn’t moving. We are in an alley somewhere next to a garbage bin, but I don’t know where. I begin to panic again, moving my feet to his body, and try to kick him.I lose balance and fall to the ground, hitting my face on the cold pavement that’s covered in snow. It is literally freezing out here and our only chance is if he wakes up. Tears fill my eyes and I hear Derrick rustle beside me as I struggle against the gag. His feet are only tied, and he sits up, “Audrey!?” he gasps, taking the gag out my mouth.I can’t help but let the tears fall freely now as Derrick unties himself and holds me, “What the hell happened?!” he asks, and I can tell he doesn’t remember anything.I want to tell him, but I am losing my shit right now.Derrick pats my back, “It’s okay…” he soothes me. Soon I can breathe again, and I look up at him. He is shivering and looks pale, “We need to get to my room.” Derrick shudders against the wind
I wait in my room for news, but it’s been hours and I haven’t heard from Seth. I am panicking and I can’t stop crying. What if Derrick isn’t, okay? What if being my friend and trying to help me figure all of this out, got him hurt? What if Derrick dies? I would never forgive myself. I had to tell someone. Living with this secret alone was killing me. The agency says they have people watching me, but why did I get taken last night if that is the case? How did they not notice? This doesn’t make sense! The only lead we have now is the one Derrick came up with. Anger starts to fill me, and I reach for my phone, dialing Bert’s number. He answers almost immediately, “Audrey, are you ok?” he asks. I can't help it as my voice cracks, and I begin to cry harder; this has become normal for me in the last 48 hours. I never used to cry but now it seems to be all I can do. I want to be angry but sadness fills me instead. “I was abducted by the blackmailer last night. I need to talk to Mr. Moxin.
“Audrey, did you hear me?” Seth speaks into the phone, but I am sobbing and almost incoherent. Mark takes the phone from me and looks at me as I nod, “Seth, this is Mark Razetti, what is going on?”Silence.“Mark, why are you with Audrey?”“Audrey and I are friends. I came to check on her.”Silence again.“Is she okay? I just told her Derrick is going to be okay, but they want to keep him overnight and make sure his vitals stay stable. Whatever he was drugged with, could have killed him. Audrey was smart to call me when she did.”Mark nods and looks at me, “Yes, Audrey is a very smart girl. I think she should stay with me tonight, to be safe.”Silence but I hear Seth stutter, “uh, erm, I guess that’s the best solution. Or I can?”“No, man. That’s okay. You should stay with your brother. I got it. She can come to my mansion. It’s probably safer than the dorms.”I look at Mark and shake my head; this just turned into a cock fight.“Fine, but please let me talk to her again.” Mark nods a
Stalker POVI pick up her wallet and go through every little pocket, smiling at her driver’s license picture. One day, her last name won’t be Jasper it will be changed to my last name. I smile and think of her picture; and how happy she’ll be in it.Her smile can light up any of my cloudy days.I felt awful, knocking her out the other night but I had to, and Derrick? That dude is just always in the wrong place and at the wrong time. I knew I would need something to hold over Audrey, Derrick was just an easy target. I had to let him go; I am not a murderer.He was already with her which is not okay. Why was that player with my perfect girl? It’s bad enough I have competition with Mark now. Derrick needs to stay away. It’s not like I wanted to seriously hurt him, but I wanted to send him a message. I think nearly overdosing is one, right?I take out her credit cards next and stare at each one. Audrey has loads of debt, but I am going to pay it all off when this is over. Even the money
Audrey POV“Really? Who is your brother?” I ask. Daniel is my best friend, and I knew he had a brother, but I don’t know anything else about him; not even his name.“Terry Mathews. We are twins, actually.” Daniel grins at me. I gasp and lower my voice, “Is he hot and gay too or straight? He attends here with us?”Daniel smirks as he eyes mark, “Well, we are fraternal twins so we don’t look alike but I would say my brother is a good-looking guy and he’s straight.” He winks at me, “We should definitely bring him in on this. He does attend here…” he begins.Mark now interjects, “Do you think it’s wise to bring another person into this? Look what happened to Derrick.” He sighs, ignoring my comment about if Daniel’s brother is hot. I can’t really ignore that notion. Derrick was the first and only person I told and he almost died.Daniel nods, “Yes, he is my family, and we can trust him. I think it’s important. He is double majoring. Not only law but forensics too. He takes classes here and
I pour a lot of syrup on my pancakes and then cut them with my fork as Mark watches me, “You are even beautiful with syrup on your face.” He grins. I blush, taking another bite and he smiles, “I think you are really going to enjoy today.”My body already aches for him, and I finish chewing taking a sip of milk, “I bet I will too.” I wink.Mark smiles and then sighs, “You know Audrey, Daniel is right between all of us, we could keep you safe but maybe we should go to the police?”I sigh, shaking my head, “I will get expelled from school. I have worked too hard. I want to outgrow my old life. I worked hard to stop being little orphan Annie.”Mark sighs, “Then let me pay for that stuff and you won’t have to work as an escort.”I reach for his hand and grab it lovingly, “That is a very generous offer, Mark but he has all the proof he needs and can ruin me even if I quit.”“So, you are just going to pay him until you graduate?”I nod and he shakes his head, “No, I think we need to set a tr
The water settles as I look into Mark’s eyes. His question was one I wasn’t prepared for mentally. Derrick had told me he was a fuck boy so I thought he may just be using me but now I see, Derrick is wrong. Mark really does like me, and he is so sweet.I reach down, kissing his lips, and nod, “Yes, let’s make it official.” Mark grins and he holds me tighter and I stop straddling and resume sitting on his lap. He pulls me to his chest and turns on the water, adding hot water.“I feel like the luckiest man alive,” he whispers into my ear.My heart beats faster as I lay my head on his chest and he kisses the top of my head, “I don’t see why. I am just an ordinary girl.” I smile.Mark chuckles and shakes his head, “Audrey, you are anything but ordinary. You came from a terrible background and grew. You will do whatever it takes to make your dreams come true You are a go-getter and my perfect match.”I smile and lace our fingers together, “I honestly thought you may have just been using me
The day goes by quickly and before I know it, Mark and I are lying in bed, and I feel more relaxed than I ever have in my entire life. I sleepily nestle into his chest as my phone rings. I look at the caller ID and smile as Derrick’s name pops up.“Derrick?!”“hey, Audrey. Are you ok? Seth said you are at Mark’s, but I wanted to check in with you. I feel okay now no thanks to the two of you. I could have died.”I nod and Mark watches me talk, “Yes, I am with Mark. He has been doing a very good job to make sure I am safe.” I smile at him, “I am so happy you are okay, Derrick. I was so worried! This was all my fault.” I whimper.Derrick sighs, “No, Audrey. It wasn’t. This guy is sick, and we are going to catch him. I will see you tomorrow. Seth said we were setting up a time, but we haven’t heard from Mark.” I look at Mark and he yawns, “How about 11 AM?” I nod and tell Derrick the plan. Derrick hands the phone to Seth and I can hear the relief in his voice, “Well, see you then, Audrey.