Her CEO Stalker and Her Second Chance Mate Chapter 44

**Carter**

“How did you know?”

“Your name change can’t change your high school yearbook photo,” I let her know.

“Shit,” she swore.

“It was a smart move, but unless he loses interest, which I doubt he will, I don’t think you realize how obsessed someone like that can be. Eventually, he will come across some evidence to find you. Your lawyer has all the answers. All he has to do is press, and a man like that isn’t worried about shedding a little blood to get his way.” I put the truck in gear.

“Are you sure you want to go back to that house alone?”

“Yes, I need to think, I need some space. Not knowing who this other person you're apparently trying to protect me from is, is not helping me sort through everything right now. It sounds like excuses, or just another thing I need to worry about.”

“If I told you, it would be more than just my job at stake; it would be my life,” I admitted. “I can’t help you from 6 feet under. Trust me to handle that situation, Adelaide. I promise, I just want you protected. Unfortunately, I have to go through him for that.”

“Stop calling me that. I left my life as Adelaide behind. I am Briar now, forget you ever knew that name. This other guy, I already don’t like him,” she seemed to growl.

“He is a pain in the ass but he has his reasons. Sometimes, the best protections come from the most morally skewed individuals.” She huffed and looked out the window. “How are you going to be safe at Jake's? I’m going to be more worried now with the damage I’ve caused.”

“Misty is going to watch the query, if anyone pings it, I have to decide to run or brace myself for him to come for me. She said something about working on a distraction. Jake's place is all I have right now, and I can’t run forever,” She sighed, as my truck ambled down the drive toward the house. The uncertainty of how this was leaving us was eating me from the inside.

“Look, I get why you are upset, but I needed to be sure before I could vouch for you. If something else came up, it could ruin what I hoped to accomplish. As things stand, I think I can sway things in your favor.” She snorted at my response as I pulled in front of the house and put the truck in park. Immediately, she was pushing open the door with a grimace, from moving too fast, which made her pause. I took advantage of that pause and went around to hers, catching her as she slid out a bit too quickly, nearly stumbling. Trying to get away from me or the situation. I’d done this. 

“Easy, Brair, I know you're pissed at me but cool your jets enough you don’t hurt yourself at least. Talk to me, please,” I pleaded. Her eyes hardened and I swear I sensed another presence there, I bent down to inhale, and the faint scent of mouth watering wisteria laced her normal scent. I met her eyes again and the presence was gone.

“I don’t know what to think, Carter. My life has been nothing but a tilt-a-whirl lately and …” 

She was struggling with her feelings right now, pushing her fear down. I hated this, she shouldn't be alone through it, and I had caused it all on my own; I hadn’t thought the query through. It, however, wasn’t something I could undo.

“I was careful, I don’t know how your friend came across it, when it doesn’t exist on normal channels on the web, it wasn’t even a police source.”

“Guess you're mad a single mom with a GED is smarter than you on the internet, and whatever protections you think you had, I just have to hope she's smarter than his team now. Lucky for you, I'm sure she is, but that doesn't help how I feel right now. I have a lot to process.”

“I was just trying to protect you the best way I knew how.”

“Why?” 

“There are a lot of reasons, but the most important one is that I want to.” I still had a firm grip on her as her hard eyes looked up at mine and went cold.

“Well, you sure made a mess of things,” she accused, pulling out of my grasp and starting to head to the house.

“Wait! You forgot something,” she looked over at me as I reached into the bed of the truck and pulled out Ole Betty, secured in her case with the ammo. I held it out to her.

“You still want me to take it?”

“Of course, if you're insisting on staying here alone, you need some line of protection. A shotgun is the best for home defense. That sack of shit shows up, don’t hesitate, just blow his fucking head off.” She looked from the gun to me before taking it. Her fingertips brushed mine as she did, and our eyes met as tingles spread up my arm. She pulled the gun case from my hand, and the sensation immediately disappeared. That presence stared back at me for only a moment before she went back to her original plan of heading to the house. I crossed my arms and leaned against my truck watching her disappear inside. I’d only known her a few days and she had become the most important person in my life, and I had unintentionally royally fucked it all up. I forced myself to get back in the truck. The last thing she needed was a creepy overbearing male camped out in her driveway. I needed to unload on someone, but who though? My thoughts teetered from my sister, to my mom and dad, to Mazzie. But first I needed to escalate getting her power turned on. I dialed Amber.

Amber: Carter?

Carter: Hey Am, you know that hold on turning the power on at Jakes place, can we switch it to a top priority?

Amber: Sure thing

Carter: Thanks

Amber:Don’t think your getting out of this without a favor. Blaze had those kids bouncing off the walls past midnight.

Carter: As I expected. Babysitter Carter is open for business whenever you need for this one.

Amber: I’ll hold you to that Carter

Carter: I know you will. She chuckled and the line went dead.