Read Online Crossed by Lacey Silks - Free Book Online Page B

to close them momentarily. With half-shut eyes, I walked through the aisle toward the counter at the back where I could refill my prescription. Honestly, I should have done it a month earlier when I ran out.
    “It will be ten minutes,” the pharmacist said, handing me a pager. “We’ll let you know when it’s ready.”
    “Thank you.” I stuffed the square box in my pocket and remembered that I was out of tampons and batteries. Strolling through the aisles I added my necessities to my basket, momentarily pausing, wondering whether I’d truly need the batteries again. Hunter had been over every day to check up on me, as well as some evenings. Given that it was the wrong time of the month, we didn’t get too close. Still, Hunter made sure I felt at ease, massaging my feet while I ordered new supplies for the salon and double-checked the upcoming load of appointments.
    Someone stirred on my left and I froze. A peculiar feeling passed over me. I stood there, unmoving, taking in the negative energy I felt at my back, feeling someone’s gaze drill through my body, right to the bones. The vibe gave me the creeps and I slowly turned, but no one was there. Shivers passed over my arms and down my legs, and suddenly I felt like the rain outside had drenched me after all. Tugging at the hem of my oversized sweatshirt I pulled it lower, wishing I could somehow disappear, or at least teleport straight to my apartment. To my left, a man in a navy hoodie was looking for something in the fridge. Although he stood with his back to me, his movements appeared nervous. Not only did he wear the hood over his head, but also a baseball cap. For a moment, I thought he was deciding which frozen pizza to purchase, until I noticed he was looking straight at me in the reflective refrigerator glass. Something looked extremely familiar about him.
    My pager vibrated and I dropped my batteries. Hurrying to pick them up I headed for the back of the pharmacy to pick up my pills.
    “Can I pay for these here as well?” I asked, noting in my peripheral vision that the guy by the fridge had finally decided on a pepperoni.
    “Yes, of course.”
    The pharmacist rang up my purchase, and I paid and left the store. As soon as I crossed the street and started walking toward my apartment, the guy left the store as well. He didn’t appear to be looking at me, but he also didn’t have any shopping bags with him—not even the pizza. His hands were stuck in his pockets, one of which appeared to have an oddly shaped protruding bulge. I picked up my pace and saw him take longer steps. He crossed the street, nearly getting struck by a cab, and sped up his walk—which, if I wanted to outpace him, was close to a slow jog for me. Lightning flashed nearby and thunder boomed as if it was only a few feet away, making me jump.
    My gut told me I needed to hurry. At this speed I wouldn’t make it to my building without him catching up. I turned left into the first door I saw and entered an adjacent business building. Thankfully it had a corridor linking it to my condo. As soon as my feet touched the marble floor I ran as fast as I could, seeing the man in the navy blue sweatshirt enter just before I turned the corner.
    And that’s when someone pulled me to the side and clasped his big hand around my mouth. I wanted to scream but couldn’t. Emma had taught me a few self-defense moves, but for the life of me I couldn’t recall even one at this moment.
    “Shh, Grace. It’s me.” Hunter’s voice cooed in my ear as he pulled me into the depth of a dark nook. In front of us was nothing but a large fake decorative tree. We had a clear view of the passage to my building. I’d walked by here so many times before, but never in my life would I think of this nook as a hiding spot.
    “I’m gonna let go of your mouth. Stay quiet.”
    I nodded.
    “Someone’s following me.” I could barely hear my own voice.
    “I know, Grace. Don’t move.”
    I curled into his comfortable