Chapter 21

Genevieve

I stare downat my phone wondering if he really just said that to me. I debate calling him back and asking him, but I don’t want to come off pushy. Maybe it was something he accidentally said. He forgot he was talking to me and not to one of his sisters. It’s crazy to say I love you already, right? He can’t really love me this fast, even though I’m having those feelings. I swear I feel it in the way he touches me.
Instead of calling him, I dial Gabi. She’ll have the answers. Maybe she can reassure me. Look at her and Neal. They say they fell in love instantly.
“Miss me already?” she sing-songs into the phone. My sister can hardly sit still right now unless she’s throwing up, but that doesn't stop her for long.
“He said I love you,” I blurt out. “I’m not sure if he meant to. It was while he was hanging up,” I explain.
“Hmmm. I’m not sure.” She clicks her tongue loudly.
“Yeah. I know.” I sigh, and my shoulders drop. It was too soon. Maybe he just wants the package. A wife and child with nothing more.
“Oh my god, you’re a freaking dork ball!” she laughs into the phone.
“I don’t see what’s so funny.” I sit back in my chair and roll my eyes. While is she still laughing?
“You just spent the entire lunch telling me how he wants a baby with you and how he’s moving in. We even talked about your wedding. I thought you knew the man was in love with you. It’s written all over his face when he looks at you. Everyone can see it.”
I can’t help but smile because it’s all true. I know I love him, but I just needed an outside source to confirm that I’m not crazy. I guess it’s almost too good to be true. I’ve never in my life felt like this with another person. I haven't even been close to anything like this before. Mostly I’ve been running from them.
“You’re right. I’ll just wait and see if he says it again.” I’m sure he will. Or maybe he didn't even realize he’d said it, but either way I know he does love me and the words will come.
“Neal,” Gabi giggle, and then I hear some muffled whispers between them and I know what they are doing. Neal doesn’t stay off my sister for long.
“I’ll talk to you later.” I hang up and put my cell on my desk and shake my head. It’s crazy how much my life has changed in such a short amount of time.
“You’re back,” Janet says as she walks into my office. She looks stressed and it’s unlike her.
“You don’t look like you’ve got good news.”
She sits down in the seat in front of my desk. “I don’t want to have to involve you because it’s not something you should have to worry about, but something has happened.” Her eyebrows pull together and worry lines show in her face.
“Relax, Janet, whatever it is I’m sure we can get it worked out,” I reassure her.
She lets out a long sigh. “I went to the police chief about Mark. We decided to let him go. He’s like you and only freelance, so it was an easy decision that wouldn’t affect the department. We explained to him that it was due in part to cutbacks just so that everyone was covered, and then afterwards the chief said he was going to keep an eye on him.” She folds her hands in her lap and shakes her head. “He pulled up a lot of things in his past that we didn’t initially see on his basic background check. A few red flags popped up.”
“Well, I’m glad he’s gone then. But why do you still look so worried?” It seems like they did the right thing, but as she fidgets with her hands, I know something is still wrong.
“Mark somehow knows it was you who voiced a complaint and he thinks you’re the reason he got fired. Apparently one of the guys who was assigned to watch him is a friend of his and passed this information along. It was strictly confidential and against the assignment.”
The blood drains from my face as I connect the dots. I witnessed how Mark’s temper could fire up easily. Especially when it comes to women.
“I’m so sorry, Ginny. I can promise you that his friend on the force lost his badge. But we can’t undo the damage.”
My heart pounds in my chest when I think about what happened to Steph. It’s clear the man is capable of horrible things.
“I don’t think he’ll come after me,” I tell her. “I mean, it would be incredibly stupid. Everyone would know it was him. Plus, I have Barrett to keep me safe. He stays glued to my side.” I’m not sure who I’m trying to reassure, her or me.
“So you and Barrett are really a thing? There will be a trail of broken-hearted women all over town. He wouldn’t ever give anyone the time of day, just like you.” She smiles at me. “Well, it makes sense that the two of you would end up together. And from what I’ve heard, the man is obsessed with you.”
I feel myself blush, and the thought of Barrett and me makes me forget about the Mark thing for a minute. “Yeah, we’re together.” I want to say engaged, but I’m not totally sure of that. He told me we’re getting married. But I don't have a ring on my finger to show off.
“I’m happy for you, Ginny.” Janet stands. “It does make me feel better knowing Barrett can keep an eye out for you. I promise our whole team is working on this and hopefully it will all be taken care of soon. The chief is building a case and I know that takes time. So, while that’s happening just be careful, okay?”
I come around the desk and give her a hug. This wasn't her fault and I don’t want her to think I’m mad at her about it. “I know you’ll handle it. You always do.”
“I’ll keep you updated,” she tells me as she leaves my office. While she exits, a flower delivery guy walks into my office. “That man is in love with you,” Janet says with a smile.
“Oh wow,” I say in surprise when I absorb the sight of the flowers. “You can put them here,” I tell the delivery guy, motioning for him to set them on a table in the corner of my office. I’ll be able to see them and they’ll have great light.
I sign the form and thank him before he leaves. The flowers are simple white roses. That surprises me. They’re not really not my style, and Barrett and I spent a lot of time talking about flowers. White roses are a bit too perfect for me. I like colorful and a little messy. But they’re still pretty nonetheless.
I pull out my phone and snap a picture of the flowers then send it to Barrett.
Me:Thanks for the flowers!
I reach for the little card and open it up as I smile to myself. I’ve never gotten flowers before.
– I’ll never forget.
You were always meant to be mine.

I’m confused as I read it again. Never forget what? I stare at the card then back at the flowers. A suspicious chill runs down my back. These are really unlike Barrett. I read the note again and then it hits me.
Time’s up and I’ll never forget.
I’ll never forgetwas on the note Steph got when the restraining order expired. I drop the card like it’s on fire and singed my fingers. I take a slow step back to get away from it.
It takes me a minute to realize my cell phone is in my hand and it’s ringing. I put it up to my ear without thinking and answer it.
“Hello.” I can’t stop my voice from trembling.
“If it would have been me I would have just fucked you in the kitchen this morning. But don’t worry, we’ll have our time soon enough. Besides, I’ve never had twins before. It’s going to be so much fun.”
Marks voice makes me sick to my stomach as terror and anger hit me all at once. He sounds unhinged.
“Stay away from my sister!” I scream into the phone before I toss it away, wanting it as far from me as possible.
He saw us all this morning? He was watching Barrett and me? Gabi was there, too. A cold sweat breaks across my skin. That’s how he knows about her. What if he’s already going after her?