"Super," I replied. "Just need to fight fire with fire."
I found Dallas's number and hit "call" before giving Bree a grin. "Nothing I can't handle."
I hoped.
22
I was sure the whole stalker thing was Archer’s and his boys’ lame attempt at getting me back over the photoshopped spit-roast. Pretty sure, anyway.
But no matter how many times I told myself that, I couldn't get away from the feeling of someone watching me.
It didn't help that even two weeks into classes, people were still staring and whispering when I walked down the halls. I'd have thought the whole thing might have blown over, but with the anniversary of Riot Night in just a couple of weeks, it looked like I'd be the center of attention a while longer.
Even after Bree dropped me home after classes, the tension didn't ease from my shoulders. So many of those images had been taken through the windows of my father's mansion. If this stalker was real—not that I believe that—but if... then nowhere was safe.
Just in case, I drew the sparkly pink curtains in my bedroom before changing into comfy sweatpants and a tank top. I was expecting Dallas to come by, but despite what I'd insinuated to Archer, I had no desire to seduce my old friend. Sure, we'd slept together before—that part had been true—but only once. And we were much better off as friends.
On a whim I tried calling my father again, but it went straight to his voicemail. I didn't bother leaving a message. If he wanted to speak to me, he'd have called back by now.
Trying to swallow past the bitter disappointment I felt toward the last remaining parent I had, I tucked my phone into my pocket and headed downstairs. After the stress of feeling constantly watched all day, I needed snacks.
Just as I reached the bottom of the stairs, a familiar voice in the den made me stop in my tracks. Was that... my father?
Curious and confused, I took two steps closer to the den and paused just outside, shielding myself behind a huge, antique vase full of lilies while I eavesdropped.
His voice was muffled, on speakerphone by the sound of it, but I'd bet my left tit it was Samuel Danvers speaking—something that was confirmed moments later when his words became clearer.
"...thought I'd handled that situation four fucking years ago," he snapped, the sound of seagulls and crashing waves in the background. "Last time that little shit put his hands on my daughter, I had him sent to Mantworth for two years. You're not seriously telling me he hasn't learned his lesson?"
My blood turned to ice. He was talking about Dallas. My father was responsible for Dallas going to jail? How? Why? Dallas had been arrested in a stupid gang crime and taken the fall for whoever he was with at the time. His whole involvement in the Shadow Grove Wraiths was a major reason we'd fallen out in the first place... but could my father have had a hand in all of that?
Outraged and blinded by anger, I stormed into the den to confront the guys—and my father—over what I'd just heard. But before I made it three steps into the room, Kody shot out of his seat on the couch and grabbed me, clapping a hand over my mouth to prevent me from saying anything—no sounds that would make my father aware I was listening.
I thrashed in Kody's hold, but I was no match for Captain Fitness. He held me easily, lifting my feet from the ground and carrying me back to the sofa to sit down.
Archer held the phone—of course—flat in his palm with the speaker cranked up loud for them all to hear. And for me to hear? Call me paranoid, but I was starting to see ghosts in every shadow.
Steele had his elbows resting on his knees, and when I flicked a furious glance over him, his gaze ducked away. Feeling guilty? Probably. He had every reason to feel that way.
Archer, though, met my gaze steadily and totally unflinchingly. He almost looked gleeful as he spoke to my father. My father. He'd been too busy to take my calls, too busy to even shoot me a message to say, "Will call you later," but not too busy to speak with Archer?
"It certainly seems like he requires more incentive to stay away," Archer was saying, not giving even a hint that I was listening. "It's a shame; Madison Kate is having such a hard time readjusting into Shadow Grove, she could do with friends. We're just terribly concerned Dallas Moore is going to get her into trouble. You're aware, I'm sure, that he's a member of the Wraiths."
"Of course I'm aware," my father spat, his voice like acid. "It's how I managed to get him locked up in the first place." He grunted an annoyed noise, and I swallowed to hold back the stinging tears of betrayal. Kody's arm around my waist wasn't as tight anymore, but he still wasn't letting me go. He wanted me to hear this. They wanted me to hear this and know what my father had done.
"Leave it to me; I'll get him removed from Shadow Grove by the end of the week."
My eyes widened, and I desperately tried to wrench myself out of Kody's grip. He held me firmly though—not for the first time, come to think of it—and all that could be heard of my protests were small, muffled squeaks. Nothing that my father would hear down the phone, at any rate.
Archer held a single finger up in the air, warning me, telling me to calm the fuck down. It was scary how well I could read his intentions.
"That won't be necessary, Samuel," Archer said after a moment's pause. His cold blue gaze held my eyes as he spoke, and the threat was crystal clear. "I'm sure we can talk sense into Madison Kate. Dallas won't be hanging around anymore."
My father gave a disbelieving grunt. Archer's lips curved in a cruel smile, and he didn’t break eye contact with me for even a second.
"Good luck with that," my father scoffed. "That girl is just like her useless fucking mother. All looks and no brains. Wouldn't know common sense if it came up and bit her right on the ass."
This time I couldn't hold the burning pain inside. It spilled out in hot tears rolling down my cheeks. Not for myself—I couldn't care less what he thought of me—but hearing him speak of my mother like that... shocked didn't even begin to cover where I was at.
Archer, though, didn't flinch, didn't look even a bit remorseful at what he'd drawn out of my father while I sat there listening and unable to retaliate.
"Regardless, I think we have it handled," Archer reinforced, and I suppose he expected me to be grateful to him? Fucking bastard. I was going to destroy him.
"I'm sure you do," my father laughed. "If that's everything, I have better things to be doing right now."
"Not quite, Samuel," Steele said, and I jolted in Kody's grip. What fresh fuckery did they have now? Nothing good, judging by the regret in Steele's gaze as he looked at me. "Madison Kate has a stalker."
I rolled my eyes. They were really pushing their fake-stalker story, even after I’d called them out on it? My father didn't appreciate dramatics or hysteria, so they were probably going to get a solid "Don't be stupid," followed by him hanging up.
But instead, there was a long pause.
"And?" My father's gruff voice finally cracked the silence.
Steele's brows arched, and Kody breathed a hushed curse. Fuck, even Archer showed a flicker of surprise at that response.