Page 33 of No Need to Run

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“Fine.” His mouth twitches. “If the shoe fits...”

I scoff. “There are no shoes involved.”

He chuckles. “Keep telling yourself that.” He heads toward the stairs. “I’m going to bed.”

“She can’t be out there. I don’t see her anywhere.”

He doesn’t turn around. Just calls over his shoulder as he heads upstairs, “Stalkers are good at hiding.”

My eyes widen.

He reaches the landing, then turns and smirks at me. “And waiting.”

I rub my suddenly sweaty palms on my pants, then shove them in my pockets like I’m unbothered by his taunts. “Go to bed.”

Sebastian’s laugh trickles down the stairs.

As soon as his back is turned, I check that the patio door is locked.

“Goodnight,” I yell, hating that my voice quivers slightly.

“Goodnight, Drew.”

I hate the amusement in his tone.Mr. Know-It-All.

Mr. Pickles follows Sebastian.

Halfway up the stairs, he stops and looks at me like I’m stupid.

Then disappears upstairs.

“Good. Go to bed. I don’t need your attitude, either,” I say to the cat.

I check the front and back doors before heading down the hallway to my bedroom.

Stop being paranoid.

Once inside, I start unbuttoning my shirt, but freeze. That feeling is back. Like I’m being watched.

My gaze moves to the window.

I slowly creep to the window, my heart hammering in my chest.

It’s nothing.

You’re letting Sebastian—and that judgmental cat—get to you.

I stop in front of the window, staring out into the darkness. I slowly scan every inch of the property, but don’t see anything.

My gaze stops on the woods behind the house. There’s a trail that Sebastian uses when he runs. Ivy used to use it when she was watching Sebastian.

My heart nearly jackknifes in my chest.

I squint, but all I see is the outline of the trees.

What if she’s out there... watching me?

I suck in a breath, every muscle taut.

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