Wicked (Somerset University #2) - Ruby Vincent Page 0,83
the security desk,” he said. “I’m assuming it’s another gift from your secret admirer.”
I slid through the metal detector, not slowing down. “You can have it.”
“Are you sure? Don’t you want to see what it is?”
“Nope. It’s all yours,” I tossed over my shoulder. See you way too early tomorrow.”
I crossed the parking lot, thoughts returning to evening plans with Val. I was going to surprise her with dinner on the balcony and dessert in the tub. Something about Valentina covered in suds got us both going. We’d be in there long after the water turned to ice.
My phone rang as I got in the car.
“Hello?”
“Hey, J. Something happened and I wanted you to hear it from me.”
I froze, key hovering over the ignition. “What? Are you okay? Is Eve?”
“Eve and I are fine,” he replied. “It’s Daniel. He got into an accident on his way home from work. His wife called me from the hospital.”
“Shit. How bad is it?”
“They rushed him into surgery. Fernanda’s at the hospital alone. I’m going over there to support her and find out how he’s doing. If I stay the night, I’ll need you to bring me some stuff in the morning.”
“No problem. Whatever you need, I’ve got you.”
My problems with Daniel Meyer aside, he was my dad’s best friend. I’d be the real asshole if I didn’t let my shit go to support Dad..
“Thanks, son.” A weary sigh expelled through the phone, asking me if that was a sound I’d ever heard my father make.
Once. It followed the first time I saw him cry.
“I’ll keep you updated,” he said. “Hold down the fort for me.”
“Will do.”
I let him go, continuing on home.
“You’re not going to believe this shit, Jaxson.”
Ezra accosted me as I got in the door, storming down the stairs with Val on his heels.
“They found Val’s car and left her another present.” Ezra shoved something in my hand. “The thong, the text, the flipbook, and the threats. All the same person.”
“Whoa, slow up.” I squinted to read the note. “Can’t take a hint... Stay away from Jaxson? Who the hell is this?!”
“I thought Serena, but you didn’t know her when I was run off the road,” Val said. “There’s someone else after you and they’re... crazy.”
“Who is it, J?” Ezra asked.
“I don’t know!” The events of the last few months ran through my mind too fast for me to grab one and hold on to it.
Someone tried to kill Valentina... over me? They got into my car. Planted the underwear. Sent the flipbook and declared me theirs.
Did they also...
“Send the text?” I whispered. “Val, that breakup text... I don’t think Serena did that either.”
Her eyes widened with the same realization. “If they sent that text, they followed us to New Orleans, got close enough to steal your phone, and”—the blood drained from her face—“close enough to see Serena kiss you. Jaxson, Serena wasn’t attacked by a fan.”
I dropped. Hard. Falling on my ass. Keys skittering across the foyer.
“It was me,” I rasped. “They put her in the hospital and almost killed you because of me.” I punched the floor. “And I had no fucking clue!”
“Jaxson.” Val knelt, taking my face in her hands. “You can’t blame yourself. You didn’t know—”
“I did know,” I said. “Someone has been sending me gifts for weeks. I just ignored them and gave them away. Such an idiot! I should’ve realized it passed normal after the second, third, and fifth gift. They sent me another one today.”
Ezra grasped my shoulder. “Someone sent you toothpicks. It’s a big jump up from grateful bandmembers to homicidal stalker. You couldn’t have known.”
“Especially when we were convinced Serena was behind everything,” Val added. “All that matters is we finally know why they’re coming after me and we can figure out who it is.”
“Has to be someone close to you,” Ezra said. “They picked out gifts they knew you’d like. Found a way into your car. Knew where to find you in New Orleans.”
A name detached itself from my memory, striking me through the chest. “I know who it is,” I said. “And I know why.”
I WAS UP BEFORE MY alarm the next morning.
Ezra and Val held me back, saying we had to go about it carefully if we were going to get the confession that led to serious jail time.
Fuck careful.
I shoved my pants on in the dark, highly aware of Val’s still form beneath my sheets.
Val was almost killed. She’s been harassed, taunted, and screwed with for weeks. This