Total pages in book: 120
Estimated words: 109096 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 545(@200wpm)___ 436(@250wpm)___ 364(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 109096 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 545(@200wpm)___ 436(@250wpm)___ 364(@300wpm)
"Thank you," I manage weakly. Somehow, without me having to put it into words, he realized exactly what I needed.
"I'll see you tonight."
"Yes."
We say goodbye at the door and I lock up after he leaves, but not before checking the street to make sure nobody's there.
No sign of Nox.
Fucking good, I tell myself. If he showed up here again, I'd be forced to call the cops. He better keep his fucking distance, or else.
Chapter 33
Nox
3 months later
Some things never change.
I was always a monster. Despite my father's best efforts, he couldn't beat the evil streak out of me. And now, I've finally accepted it. I'm done running from who I am. I'm done denying myself the pleasure of watching Dove, my little bird, live her life even when she doesn't want me in it.
I'm a stalker.
And I'm never going to change.
I'm following her again today. I've been doing it since she left my motel room after losing her shit with me, but she hasn't noticed so far. I've been sticking to the shadows, hiding in plain sight, and it's worked well. I have no doubt Dove would keep her promise of turning me in if she spotted me tailing her. But I have no intention of being noticed. After all, I'm most at home in the shadows.
The pain from her rejection cuts deep, but what's worse is the feeling that she's in the wrong.
I desperately want to convince Dove I'm the right man for her, but I also understand she won't want to listen to me until something changes. And I'm not turning myself in.
She's been talking to Raphael. I saw him come to her house that first day when we parted ways. Jealousy squeezed my heart in its long fingers, threatening to make me lose my mind again. But since my argument with Dove, I've realized I can't hurt anyone else she's close to. She won't understand. She'll only hold it against me.
I never was a patient man, but I'm starting to realize I'll have to change if I want Dove back beside me.
She's working at the plant nursery today, settling back into her normal life and her regular routine. Under her green thumb, plants flourish and life thrives. Even her own, personal issues are getting resolved. My little bird is taking better care of herself, eating right, not hurting her pretty body. She's healing. And I'm the reason why. Yet I can't reap the rewards, not without coming back into her life and stealing back what's always been mine.
I know she's going to see that prick again today, and it pisses me off to no end. I don't want her around Raphael. Hate the thought of him touching her, consoling her. It should be my job to do that. Soon enough, Dove will come around and I'll take that bastard's place. Soon enough.
I saw her having dinner with him only last night. The guy's obviously in love with her. You can see it from the way he looks at her, obsessing about her actions, wondering whether it's too soon to make a move again. When I see those wheels turning in his head, I want to fucking scream at the guy, tell him he'll never have her, not like I once did. It's all surface level between them, but not between us. Our scars run deep. So very deep.
At least she's eating. It's a small consolation to know I've helped Dove heal, but it fucking hurts to watch her explore this new version of herself with somebody else. Somebody who should be me.
Somehow, I'll force my way back into her life. I just need to figure out how and play my cards right. But I have no doubt that Dove will be back in my arms. That's where she truly belongs, after all.
Today, they're going out again, probably for dinner. It's almost a daily occurrence now. Dove will meet Raphael in front of his office and he'll take her to a new restaurant every night. They're growing closer, getting attached to one another, and it fucking kills me to watch. I want to destroy the prick who's taking what's mine. I want to steal her back. But Dove doesn't want me – she's made that clear enough.
Before I got here, I touched my cock thinking about her. Thick, long ropes of cum decorated my shower tile as I brought myself off, thinking about my little bird. Whatever she does, she can never escape me. I'll always keep an eye on her. Watch her, make sure nothing bad happens. She's mine. Mine.
I know eventually, Dove and Raphael will fuck. I also know that's one thing I won't be able to stand by and watch. I'll burst on the scene and physically separate them if I have to. I can't fucking bear the thought of his dick, his fingers, inside her. Those holes are mine and I will do every-fucking-thing in my power to keep it that way. And yet I need to remain unnoticed, hiding in the shadows and hoping neither of them notices me.