Chapter 7.

Him

The look on his face was nothing but pure evil. By the way he was smiling I could tell I was in a world of hurt, and I didn't understand how that was possible. I only went out with this guy once because he kept insisting we go out. From the beginning, I could tell he was a creep. Turns out I was right. Everything about him was a red flag.

Clay Lowell was someone I met on the streets. He was a twenty-eight-year-old doctor with brown eyes, and light brown hair, while he stood around six-feet-tall. The man told me he had his own medical office somewhere in town where he worked on people who couldn't get the medical attention they needed. Nice guy, right? You would think.

He had told me a little bit about himself, every time we saw each other. Which was the first red flag because after I first met him I started seeing him a lot. He also kept asking me to go on dates with him. Every time he would ask I told him no, I wasn't interested. This happened for about a month or two. Finally, I gave in; what could go wrong?

I had told him I would meet him at the restaurant – of his choice. When I walked out my front door to go there, he was here at my front door. The only thing I could ask myself was: how did he even know where I lived? That wasn't the only creepy thing that happened. When we got to the restaurant, he ordered our drinks – without asking me what I wanted – of course it was alcohol. Then he proceeded to order my food for me, not caring if that's what I wanted or not. His excuse was, he had been here before and knew what I would like.

More red flags showed up as the night went on, he started talking about the future, with me in it. I couldn't understand how he was so into me so quick. This was our first – and only – date, how could someone be so interested in such a short period. After the date, he wanted to drive me home and I told him my brother was coming to get me – I had texted him in the middle of our diner letting him know what was going on. Clay didn't seem happy about the idea but let it happen because my brother had just pulled up. That was the last time I saw him and I never talked to him again. I thought I'd never see him after that moment.

Him standing here in front of me proved how wrong I was about everything and I didn't know what to think. I was too stunned to process what was going on right now.

Before I could say anything, he pushed his way into my house. Considering he had a few pounds and inches on me, I wasn't no match for him. Clay grabbed my arm roughly as he pulled me away from the door and closed it. He took me over to the couch and pushed me down. Flash backs of my childhood raced across my mind. My father mad and storming around the house. Mom crying in the corner, trying to get away from his blows. Adam, Kate, and I forced to sit on the couch and wait for his tantrum to be over. If we even moved or said a word we would get hit.

I'm sure this is the same situation but different person. I don't know who was scarier my father walking the house or Clay who just stood there looking at me with his arms crossed over his chest. At least I knew what was coming when it came to my old man. When it came to the man standing in front of me – someone I barely knew – I had no idea what he was planning. I was in a disadvantage and I hated being in these types of situations.

"What are you doing here?" I finally asked.

"Oh, I was in the neighborhood," he shrugged, "and I thought I'd stop by. The real question is, why were you out with another man?"

"I have no idea what you're talking about."

I watched as his jaw started to work under his skin and new I had said the wrong thing. His hand clinched into fists and my whole body tensed up. There were so many things to watch for in body movements I didn't know what to look for. It didn't help that I barely knew the guy and didn't know how he liked to handle things.

My father, for example, liked to use his left fist more than anything. Somethings he'd mix it up a bit by kicking or pulling hair. Other time he used words he knew would hurt. You could see whatever it was he was about to throw at you by the way his body moved. Clay was something new to me and I didn't know what he liked to use. Considering he was a muscular man, I would guess he like to use physical violence over words.

"Don't play dumb with me Pretty Girl," he muttered angrily. "I know you were with some other guy."

What in the world was this guy talking about? The red flags keep flying up and I knew this wasn't a good thing. I really didn't know how I was going to get out of this. If I said the wrong things, I was probably going to get hit. But on the other hand, if I said the right things he was going to think there was something going on between us – I'm pretty sure he already thought that. Normal people didn't just show up at person's house or after one date, demanding why they were out with someone new. With that said, way I was screwed either way.

I don't know how long we looked at each other, but I could tell he was getting impatient with my silence. I had to think of the right words to say, but also say them without leading him to believe that there was anything between us. This was going to be harder than I thought.

"He's just a friend," I finally stated. "He was just showing me how to work a firearm. There's no harm in that."

"You went to lunch with him," Clay said.

"Just because he offered to buy me lunch doesn't mean anything. I'm not dating him Clay. I'm not dating anybody."

It happened so fast, I didn't even see him raise his hand, but he back handed me across my face. My head snapped to the side and my hair fell into my eyes. I was in shock as I slowly put my hand to my right cheek, still not understand what had just happened. No one has hit me since I left my parents' house at the age of eighteen. To be honest, I almost forgot what it felt like.

Still in a daze I felt Clay grab my arms and pushed me back into the couch. I sucked in a breath as I gazed up into the cold eyes of the man leering over me. The expression was pure evil and I didn't know what to think about what was going on. I could feel Clay's fingers digging into my flesh. There were defiantly going to be bruises later.

"You're not to hang out with any other man besides your brother," he told me. "If I catch you doing anything you're not supposed to I will kill the person you're with. Do you understand?"

There was nothing I could say, so I just nod. I didn't understand what this man was going on about. We went on one date and that was a long time ago. Why was he now starting to be possessive? It wasn't like we were in a relationship anyway.

Clay let go of my arms and started pacing the floor. He was running his hands through his hair and muttering to himself; this seemed to calm him down a little bit. All I could do was stare; not knowing what this guy's problem was. Of course, he had to have a mental problem; not everyone was like this. I didn't even understand what it was about me he was so obsessed with. I really wasn't anything special.

Then, out of nowhere, my brain started to work… It was putting two and two together for the first time since Clay showed up. If he knew I was with Jay today… then he must have been following me. That meant if he was following me today, then he had to be shadowing me other times too. This man had to be why I always felt like someone was watching; because someone was watching me. Clay was the same person who was tailing me the other day. He was the man in the black Range Rover.

"It was you," I blurted out, causing him to stop and look at me. "You were the one following me the other day. You've been following me everywhere."

"For being really smart girl," Clay smirked, "you're really slow. I'm surprised you didn't figure it out sooner."

"We went on one date. I didn't think I was going to see you again."

"You might not have seen me, but I was seeing you… every time I closed my eyes. I couldn't get you out of my head… from the moment I met you. That's why I kept asking you on a date. I needed to get to know you better. Then you finally said yes… and I was over the moon. You looked amazing when I took you out on our date. When I realized, I was your first date, I knew we were meant to be. I was sure we'd end up together, but when you didn't call me when you said you would I had to know why. Now I know… you replaced me with someone else."

I just kept staring; I didn't know how to respond, or what to say. He was getting angry again, I could see it in his eyes. My mind was telling me to run, but I knew I wasn't going to get anywhere. This man was not my father… my father was predictable; this man wasn't. He could do anything, at any time without me seeing it coming. I had to play this safe.

"I didn't know you felt that way," I murmured.

"It had to be obvious!" he shouted. "I was talking about a future with you. Not many men do that. Isn't that what women want? For a man to talk about the future with both of them in it so they know their serious."

"Yes, but not on the first date."

He didn't seem to hear to me, because he started pacing again. He was muttering under his breath. I couldn't understand what he was saying though considering his words seemed to be mixed together. This man was scarier than my father, and I didn't even think that was possible. It was probably the predictability of the whole thing.

This went on for a while; he paced, I stared. Soon though, he stopped pacing, fixed his hair, and his clothes. Standing up straight he let out a harsh breath, before looking at me.

"I only came here to tell you to stay away from other men," he said calmly. "Of course, your brother is the exception. If you're with him and other men are around that's fine. But you aren't a loud to be a lone with any of them. Do you understand?"

Not wanting to get hit again, I nodded. I had never been in this situation before – I always went out of my way to try to stay out of something like this – so I didn't know what to do. This was all very strange to me.

"Good," Clay nodded. "Also, I will be out of town for a few weeks. I have personally matters to attended too. I want you to behave. If I find out you were with anyone besides your brother, or without him, I will find out who it was and I will kill them."

My eyes widen. I knew he had said that before, but considering he said it again I knew he wasn't lying. The first person who came to mind was Jay. He was in danger if I was around him and Clay found out. I couldn't let anyone get his because of me.

"Well then," he sighed, happily, "now that we understand each other. I will show myself out."

He took a step closer and leaned over me. I cringed into the couch but was unable to get away from him. I left his lips on my cheek and I closed my eyes tightly shut. My skin started to crawl, even then he made contact. He lingered and I willed myself not to push him away. I knew that wouldn't be a good idea.

Clay finally pulled away and I let out the breath I was holding.

"You will learn to feel the same way for me," he stated, "as I do for you. We will be happy together."

'Highly doubt it,' I thought.

"Now behave and everything will be just fine. I will see you in couple weeks."

I would have to find a way to get out of this situation before then, but right now all I could do was sit where I was and stay quiet. For me, this wasn't something I normally did. Around people I knew and kind of trusted I usually spoke my mind. They excepted it of me. When it came to my father and Clay it was the smartest thing I could do.

~J&M~

My stalker didn't linger; he just walked out the front door, telling me to lock it when I got a chance. I didn't dare move, not even when I heard his footsteps disappear down the hall. My body was shaking, and I stared at the wall in front me where the TV stood. I was in a daze and I was scared.

No matter how hard I tired I couldn't think of a way to get out of this situation. My brother was out of the question. He didn't believe me when I told him someone was following me, so why he would he believe me if I told him Clay forced himself into our apartment and threatening me. Adam positively wouldn't believe me when I told him Clay was the one stalking me.

Jay was definitely out of the question. I wasn't the only one who my stalker had threatened. If I got Jay involved it would probably end badly. I didn't want anyone to get hurt because of me. I'm also pretty sure if I went to the men and Erin in the Intelligence Unit and they got a hold of Clay, he would tell them he didn't know what I was talking about. Which meant, Adam, and the Intelligence Unit would be mad at me and I would be in a world of hurt when it came to my stalker.

So, all this meant I was shit out of luck and I was gonna have to figure this out on my own. Piece of cake, right?

It was starting to get dark when I finally got myself out of my daze. I got off the couch, clocked the front door and went to my room. After locking my door, I headed straight to the bathroom to get ready for bed. As I took my shirt off, I could feel they were sore, and I soon saw why. When I looked to see what the problem was I saw Clay's hand prints on my upper arms. I wasn't surprised, and didn't eye them long. It wasn't anything I was used too.

After putting my pajama's on and brushing my teeth, I jumped into bed and pulled the covers up to my chin, hoping for sleep. Sadly, it didn't come. I laid there awake, paranoid that Clay would be coming through my locked bedroom door.

Around ten thirty I heard the front door open and close. I tensed up but soon relaxed when I realized – as far as I knew – Clay didn't have a key to my apartment. The only two people who had a key was Adam and Wendy. So, that meant my brother must be home.

I heard his footsteps coming down the hall. He knocked on the door and waited for me to answers. When I didn't, him wiggle the doorknob, but soon figured out the door was locked. I heard him let out a sigh.

"Mo?" he called. "Are you in there?"

"The door wouldn't be locked if I wasn't," I mumbled.

"Can you let me in?"

"No."

"Why not?"

"Because I want to be a lone. And the last time I checked I wasn't going to talk to you after what you did."

"Are you still going on about that?"

"No, of course not. I just said it because I left like being a bitch."

Adam groaned, but I ignored him. He tried the door again, but it still wouldn't budge. I didn't say anything; I was too exhausted and scared to even leave my bed.

"Please open the door sis," he grumbled.

"No," I replied.

"Fine be that way."

"Plan on it."

"I just come home to tell you, I'll be going to work tomorrow. Hank thinks he might have a case to work on."

"Thanks for the heads up."

My brother didn't say anything as he walked away. I heard his door slam shut and then the apartment was quiet. There was just so much I could take in one day.

That night was in and out of sleep. Every little sound I heard I would wake up and it would take me forever to get back to sleep. My mind would spin with so many thoughts it was hard to keep them straight. I knew work was gonna suck in the morning.