Her CEO Stalker and Her Second Chance Mate Chapter 45

Briar

He knew who I was, and if he had found out, surely Creedon could find me just as easily. My mind was whirling, and my heart began to race as the panic set in. I collapsed on the couch, holding the shotgun case between my knees and using it as leverage as I gasped for breath. My brain scattered before finding the moment the other night when Carter had pulled me out of my sheer panic. In and out, I let the breaths move slowly and deeply into my lungs, then out again, imagining his presence with me. I closed my eyes and the image of Creedon that terrorized me, I had to force it to be replaced with Carter’s in my mind's eye. I felt it deep down that Carter was being truthful with me. Did I trust him enough to keep close, or did I push him away because he had unknowingly jeopardized my safety? My pulse escalated at that thought, the panic rising. No, I didn’t want to keep him away; however, I needed him to understand his actions had consequences. 

Anywhere else, and I’d be left alone with the savage wolf; Creedon was deep down hunting me. At least here, I could try to build a small group of friends who may have my back if I ever needed it. I’d make him stew for a while. What he did wasn’t necessarily wrong. I get it; this strange town they operated unconventionally, and maybe had someone at the top pulling strings. Whoever that was must be a control freak because of how anal they were about the prospects of transplants here, but I could see he hadn’t seen the whole picture yet: how far Creedon’s claws could reach with just an ounce of information. This country boy needed a few lessons, and I suppose I was willing to teach him. My breathing evened as I made up my mind. I had a goal, I’d trade a few lessons with the deputy sheriff, after I’d let him stew a bit. I looked around the house. It was getting dark as the sun had begun to set. I stepped out on the deck and snapped a picture with my phone and sent it to Misty.

Heart-eyed emojis were her response. I smiled. To hell with Creedon. If he came for me, I was not going down without a fight. This would be my home and I didn’t give a damn; I’d fight anyone for it. Creedon had already stolen one life from me, Adilaide was dead. Briar would be stronger, I just needed a little help getting there. I took a seat and watched until the sun disappeared, then I gazed up at the multitude of stars. To hell if anyone was going to try to take this place from me. Something solidified deep down, almost as if the land had reached out and I grasped it and pulled it into my being. I belonged here, I was sure of it.

The power randomly turned on around eight in the morning the next day, rousing me from slumber on the couch, beeps from random household items sounded as they kicked on, as well as the overhead light on the fan in the living room. I got up slowly, remembering my ribs, and pulled the brace on tight with my sports bra and wandered into Uncle Jake's room for an oversized tee. I had left a lot of my clothes at Carter's place, accidentally; I had just packed my bag, eager to say my peace, and leave. I had let my anger get the better of me; hopefully, we could patch things up, with some time. My brain reminded me we would be patching things up; there wasn’t another option. 

I slept miserably last night. Creedon’s stupid, sexy, intense face stared at me with malice from within the landscapes of my dreams. My body recoiled at the thought, however, in my dreams…I immediately felt sick and dashed to the bathroom to spew in the toilet. This was worse than the dreams of what he did to me. I tried the tap, and cool water ran out. Thank you, Universe, for providing, I thought to myself. I washed my face and rinsed out my mouth.

I spent the next two days cleaning, tinkering with the truck, finding no luck there, and inventorying my food stuff. I didn’t have long before my resources would force me to town again. On the fourth day, I was losing my energy. The horrid dreams and the physical effort had sapped all energy from me at that point. I stared at the grounds at the bottom of my coffee cup, annoyed. I needed a new coffee pot. Today, I had planned to start to tackle the spare room. The venture wasn’t looking promising at this moment.

I checked in with Misty, who sent me a picture of her daughter as she sat in Beck’s lap, while they watched My Little Pony and ate Fruit Loops while we chatted. I sent her one of the views as we talked a bit.

“So you haven’t talked to this guy since you made him take you home.”

“No, he needs to stew. Regardless, I don’t think he meant any harm, he just didn’t understand the extent of Creedon’s reach.”

“True, but he better be good to you.”

“He's just a nice guy, Misty, one of my uncle’s friends, that's the only reason he's looking out for me.”

“Sure, whatever you want to tell yourself. You forget, I’ve already read a book on him, but I must say he’s hotter than I expected.”

“It's not like I'm not at a place to even consider what you're suggesting, so how about we stop it right there.”

“Well, don’t let a good one get away. I know you're not in a place to think about it, but at least don’t push him away. He told you the truth, he was very careful, I just know, eventually, that inquiry is going to be found, and the footprint is not erasable. Not to mention your deputy sheriff is H. O. T. T. You don't see a rugged man like that every day; and he's sweet? Girl, we need to get you back to yourself after everything.” I had told her, in as few details as possible, what had happened with Creedon, and what Carter claimed about the inquiry he placed on me, after I came back home. The thing was, I called her because I was afraid of being alone. “I know a good therapist who will do a video call.”

“I don’t want to talk about it, Misty, I’m still reliving it in my dreams. What I want to do is live a simple life here and hopefully never see him again.”

“Maybe I can come visit when Beck is done with his vigilante work?”

“I dunno, the people here are weird about strangers. I swear Carter feels like he has to babysit me everywhere we go.”

I was startled by a sound at the door. I snatched my knife and peeked out the window.

“Shit,”

“What is it?

“I have company,”

“Who is it? Do you want me to call the cops?”

“No, everythings fine,” I said, going to the door ‘I gotta go Misty, miss you, love you”

“I miss you too, you're gonna get through this babes, love you, miss you.”

“Give Crickett a hug for me.”

“Will do.”