Page 26 of Ballrooms & Blackmail

I pull into my normal parking spot thinking about all the things I have to do today.

Or maybe it’s less have to do since my anxious (and let’s face it, rage) baking and cooking of the last week has filled Brooks and Briar’s fridge and freezer with plenty of food, and more want to do.

Yes, I’ll take care of the laundry and the cleaning, make sure everything’s restocked.

But cooking will probably be unnecessary.

Unfortunately.

Unless Briar wants to try out another recipe.

That has a smile spreading on my face as I grab my purse, the extra container of cookies (because I really cannot trust myself with more of them at my house), then pop my door and climb out.

Maybe Briar will want to learn how to make them.

Maybe Thorn will show up and want to eat some.

Maybe—

There’s a scuff and I jerk back into myself, remember myself.

“Focus,” I whisper, slamming the door, hitching my purse higher over my shoulder, and turning for the door to the lobby.

Another scuff has me looking over my shoulder.

Nothing.

Just a mostly empty parking lot with hardly any shadows.

Still, I keep my keys out, hold the fob that will let me into the building tightly in my hand.

Ridiculous.

I’m becoming paranoid.

Then again that’s my typical modus operandi.

Still, as I cross the last row of cars, move to the door, I glance over my shoulder again, checking the far side of the garage for anything out of the ordinary.

Unfortunately…

I should have checked in front of me.

As I turn back, a man steps out from behind one of the wide concrete pillars.

Stomach twisting, heart pounding, I ignore him and keep walking.

Don’t stare. Don’t panic. Don’t escalate.

“Hello,” he says, stepping into my path.

Fuck.

“Hi,” I bite out, my gaze sliding through his as I sidestep him and move to the door.

I hear the scuff again, know now that it’s the sound of his shoe on the ground. It’s followed by the soft whoosh of his clothes as he turns to follow me and then…I feel it.

“Don’t,” I hiss, jerking away from his outstretched hand and whipping around to glare at him. “Don’t you fucking touch me.”