Page 100 of The Stalker Snafu

“Well, we have campus security,” I added, wishing my voice sounded more confident. “They’ll keep me safe.”

Julian leaned forward until his elbows rested on his knees. “We’re not talking about drunk college kids here, Emma. It’s a cartel. They don’t mess around.”

My stomach lurched. This was what I’d been avoiding thinking about. “You make it sound like life or death.”

“Because it is.” Any hint of friendliness vanished, replaced by the severity of a guy I could imagine Noah having secret phone calls with about money drop spots. “I’m not trying to make your life difficult, but Kincaid will legitimately kill me if I don’t take care of you while he’s gone. You’re not safe there.”

My nose scrunched. “I’m not a charity case, and I’m more than capable of taking care of myself. I’ve done it for nineteen years.”

And I already felt bad enough unintentionally invading his home so many times.

Julian smiled, and the hard look in his eyes morphed into something playful. “How about we call it a vacation, then? A chance to make some new friends and hang out. The guys are dying to get to know Kincaid’s girl.”

I laughed weakly and perched on the edge of the nearest armchair. “The ones who believe me, you mean.”

“You don’t owe him anything, but please be patient with Rafe,” he said, knowing exactly whom I meant and not sounding the least bit concerned. “Nobody likes being lied to.”

I snorted. “That’s an understatement.”

Julian grinned. “And I might be biased, but we’re not the worst group of kidnappers out there. You can even come to the clinic with me this week to meet some puppies. How’s that sound?”

“Like bribery,” I muttered, though I wasn’t exactly above that myself. But he was joking about the kidnapping part… I hoped. I had a feeling if I walked out the door and took a bus back to campus, he wouldn’t stop me.

And to be honest, I was exhausted after barely sleeping the last forty-eight hours. Did I really want to go back to my dorm and spend the break alone? I’d just end up wondering what was going on with Noah the whole time anyway.

If I stayed here, maybe I could dig for more information. Julian could keep me in the loop on any updates, too.

I stalled, twisting my lips as I weighed the pros and cons. But there was only one answer I really felt I could move forward with. “All right. I guess I can hang out here for a few days.”

He slumped back against the couch, sinking into the cushions. “Awesome. Now, why don’t you go make a pot of coffee, I’ll order a pizza, and we’ll watch that old lady baking show Kincaid said you like so much?”

I blinked. “Noah told you about Baking with Babushka?”

Julian’s lips twitched, and he fumbled around with the blanket before pulling his phone out of the makeshift nest. “He might’ve mentioned it.”

I tried and failed to contain a smile. “Sounds like fun. But make it cheeseburgers instead of pizza?”

He groaned, and his look of disappointment was eerily similar to my mother’s. “I was hoping with pizza I could at least sneak some veggies on it.”

I scrunched my nose, willing myself not to puke. “What kind of monster ruins pizza with veggies?”

Julian shook his head before shooing me off to the kitchen. “Go get your coffee before I test your blood pressure to see if it’s as high as I think.”

I didn’t need to be told twice.

CHAPTER 39

A Note

Flipping on the kitchen lights, I went into coffee-making mode and headed for the cupboard beside the sink. But a new sight stopped me dead in my tracks.

A lone cupcake topped with a swirl of pink frosting sat innocently on the island counter. Wafts of sugar and vanilla filled the room, and my nose ascended into heaven. I blinked, glancing around the empty space before cautiously approaching. Who would just leave a cupcake out by itself like this? Untouched and uneaten. It had to be a crime.

There was a white envelope next to it with four words scrawled across the front:

For Emma’s Eyes Only

I fingered the edges of the envelope, taking another peek at the mouthwatering cupcake. Should I eat it before reading the contents of the letter?