I pulled my phone out of my back pocket and opened the calendar. “What day was it?”
“October fourth at six thirty-two p.m.” Franklin rubbed his chin, deep in thought.
“I worked until seven that night.” I turned my screen toward him so he could see my schedule. “The library has cameras, so it should be easy to prove. In fact, I was gone from eight in the morning until almost seven thirty that night.” A shiver traveled down my spine. “When I got home, neither Benji nor Avery was there. That never happened, so I bumped up some music.” My eyes widened with fear. “Franklin, what if Jack was still there? What if he was watching me?” My hands began to tremble with the realization that I’d shared space with a dangerous serial killer, my father.
“I need you to listen to me for a minute. You’re safe. Bodyguards are with you, and you and Layne are staying with Michael and Marilyn for as long as you need to. I think you should consider a stun gun, mace, or something for backup. I’m not positive why you’re on Jack’s radar, but I suspect it’s because you’re his daughter.”
I nodded, grappling with the information.
Franklin’s expression was full of kindness. “Let’s get you back to your friends. It’s almost midnight, and I suspect you’re probably ready to go home.”
“Yeah. I think I’m done partying for tonight.”
“I’ll watch you walk into Barney’s, and we’ll talk more tomorrow. My first order of business on Monday will be to access the library video to prove you weren’t collaborating with Jack. It’s going to be all right, Tensley. Hang in there. You’re surrounded by people who love you, so when the days get tough, cling to that.”
“Thank you. Have a good night,” I whispered. I opened the door and hustled to the entrance. My attention immediately landed on Layne, Benji, and Avery as I entered the bar. I stopped abruptly when my gaze connected with Layne’s. I nodded just enough for him to understand the results.
He nearly hopped over the table in order to get to me. His arms wrapped around me, pulling me tightly against him. “This changes nothing. I love you.” His sweet breath grazed my ear and I sank into his embrace.
I gazed up at him. “I’m ready to go home, but I need to tell everyone goodbye first.”
“Actually, this all worked out perfectly. Michael and Marilyn only rented Barney’s until midnight, so they’re closing down.”
The moment the words were out of his mouth, some of Benji’s friends waved to everyone, then exited through the front door.
“Okay, this works.” I flashed Layne a big smile and proceeded to thank everyone for coming. Between the hugs and goodbyes, twenty minutes flew by, and before I realized it, we were the only ones left in the bar.
“Thank you so much,” I said to Michael and Marilyn. “I think Benji and I both needed this.”
Benji offered a lopsided grin then stifled a yawn. “It was great, but a lot of activity. I’m ready to crash for sure.”
Michael held open the door as we all filed into the parking lot.
We watched Avery get in and start her car while Michael loaded Benji into the SUV. Marilyn sat in the front, and Layne and I joined Benji in the back.
“Everyone in?” Michael asked, ready to close the side door.
With everyone finally ready, I realized I really needed to go to pee. “Ugh. I’m sorry! I have to go to the bathroom really bad. I’ll hurry—I promise.” I hopped out and prayed Matthew hadn’t locked the front door yet. I gave it a tug, and thankfully it flew open, so I hurried inside. Michael had parked right outside the entrance, so I wouldn’t even have to walk a few steps in the parking lot.
I waved at Matthew as I flew by him. “Bathroom!” My bladder would have never held on until we got to Benji’s house.
I finally reached the restroom and thanked the heavens as I relieved myself. I’d gotten so caught up in everything throughout the night, I hadn’t realized how fast the alcohol had moved through my system.
I finished up and washed my hands.
But I didn’t get a chance to leave the restroom because a large male hand clamped over my mouth before I had a chance to scream.
“Hello, Victoria.”
21
“I’m not here to hurt you,” the man whispered in my ear.
I detected a hint of barbecue on his breath, and a knife blade glimmered in the lights.
My head jerked up, and I met his eyes in the mirror—my eyes. Jack Flannery and I shared the same shape and color. I quickly assessed him, noting the similarities and differences between us, but it really didn’t matter. I was nothing like the sick fuck.
“You have my word that as long as you don’t fight me or scream, I won’t slit your throat from ear to ear and watch my daughter bleed out in a public restroom. After everything you’ve overcome, it would be a shitty way to die.” He wore his dark hair cropped close to his head, similar to a military cut, and his arm flexed as he held me tightly. There was no doubt in my mind that he was strong if he’d skinned women.
Flashes of the images that the detective had shown me assaulted my brain, and my body stiffened in fear. Foul bile burned the back of my throat. The only thing that might save me was the fact that I was this man’s daughter, but I wasn’t going to bank on that mattering. I wasn’t sure how I was supposed to respond to him since his hand remained over my mouth, so I attempted a slight nod.
“Since we don’t know each other—yet—I won’t keep you long. I just wanted to meet my girl face-to-face. I have big plans for us.” An evil sneer turned his lips up. “I’m going to drop my hand, but if you even let out a squeak, I’ll go after your little stitched-together family. I’ll start with the parents while you and Benji watch. Then I’ll gut your boyfriend. Everything you’ve worked so hard to build, I will strip it away bit by bit. Am I clear? Do I have your word that no one will ever know I was here or that we had a conversation?” The dark stubble on his chin scraped my cheek as he spoke.
My knees trembled. He would hurt them all. He would kill them. I nodded, then he slowly dropped his hand. The knife was still inches away from me.
Jack stepped back slowly in the small women’s restroom. “Turn around. I want to see you.”
As if I were a young child, I obeyed my father without hesitation.
His eyes appraised me as if I were cattle for sale, then an almost normal smile eased across his face. “You definitely look like me. I bet that drove your bitch of a mother nuts.”
“I don’t know if it did or not. She was always high.” My voice sounded small and insignificant.
“Huh. You know why, right? I mean, from what I’ve learned, you’re smart, intuitive, calculating, and you trust very few people. You’re definitely my girl. But your mother knew about my social activities.”
My insides quivered. “What? She knew?” There was no longer any doubt in my mind that Jack had been checking into me and my past. I just didn’t know for how long. But I was more concerned with why he was there if he didn’t want to hurt me.
“What do you want?” I asked before I could stop myself. “More importantly, why were you on my property?” Shit, why in the hell had I decided it was a good time to be bold and grow a pair of fucking balls?