Obsession Read online

  Subservient.

  Returning to her car, the woman jumped into the driver’s seat and cranked the ignition, reversing out of her spot before making her way out of the parking lot.

  Nick sat there a moment, not wanting to be obvious. But she was too perfect to let out of his sight for long. She even looked like Julia. Same eyes. Same smile. Same petite build. She’d have to do until he could get to the real thing.

  A practice run, so to speak.

  Slowly pulling out of his spot, he followed the SUV onto the busy, commercial street lined with shops, restaurants, and big-box stores.

  Nick had only been in prison seven years, but he barely recognized the world around him anymore. Everyone seemed to be in a hurry. At every stop light, people immediately took out their phones to check their texts or social media. If they just looked up, perhaps they’d recognize him, since his face was plastered all over the news.

  But they never did.

  It truly was remarkable.

  And it emboldened him to take more risks than he’d originally planned.

  Like right now.

  After a mile of doing his best to keep the SUV in sight through all the cars on the road, the area eventually gave way to condominiums. The woman slowed, turning into a subdivision.

  Nick followed.

  Without the luxury of heavy traffic to act as a buffer, he drove slower, keeping as much distance between his car and hers as he was comfortable with.

  He followed her through a series of turns, the houses becoming larger the farther into the development they drove. Finally, she pulled into the driveway of a three-story brick building that screamed upper middle class.

  It reminded him of the home he and Julia had shared in Charleston.

  He had always worked hard to give her everything she needed. Everything she deserved.

  How could she throw it all away?

  How could she say it didn’t matter?

  How could she move on?

  Because Nick hadn’t moved on. Hadn’t forgotten.

  And he’d be damned if he’d allow Julia to move on.

  They’d made promises to each other. “Till death do us part.” Nick had every intention of ensuring Julia fulfilled her end.

  Not wanting to bring attention to himself, Nick drove past the woman’s house, turning around at the dead end and parking down the street and on the opposite side. The woman disappeared into the house, leaving the garage door wide open, allowing him a brief glimpse into her life.

  The space was surprisingly neat, built-in cabinets lining the rear and one side. On the other wall, a tool cabinet sat beside a gun safe and a refrigerator that had seen better days.

  After several minutes, the woman emerged through the door connecting the garage to the house, a man wearing a UGA hat, shirt, and shorts following. He was a walking billboard for Georgia’s beloved Bulldogs.

  Nick was too far away to pick up on their conversation, but judging from the body language, it was obvious the man was upset with the woman. Probably berating her for asking him to help with the groceries when he’d hoped to sit on the couch all day, drink beer, and watch the game.

  She deserved better.

  Deserved to be free from what was obviously a miserable marriage.

  And Nick would do exactly that…

  Free her.

  Two

  Julia

  I stared straight ahead. Not blinking. Not breathing. Not moving.

  This couldn’t be happening.

  Any minute, I’d wake up and learn this was just a dream.

  Or, more appropriately, a nightmare.

  Just like the other day when I dreamed of Nick strangling me. That was all this was, too. Right?

  But when I felt Imogene’s arms around me, I knew this wasn’t a dream. This was real.

  My ex-husband had managed to escape custody.

  My serial stalker, rapist, and murdering ex-husband.

  My serial stalker, rapist, and murdering ex-husband who would love nothing more than to add me to his list of victims.

  He was currently free, his whereabouts unknown.

  A dizzying sensation consumed me, but I did my best to keep it together. For Imogene’s sake.

  I had to be strong… For Imogene’s sake.

  Had to remain in control… For Imogene’s sake.

  “How is this possible?” I squeaked out. “How could he escape?”

  “I understand how upsetting this must be,” Captain Dawson offered, his voice deep and commanding, yet still filled with compassion. “Investigators are still scouring through the crash scene to figure out the details. What we do know is that this morning, Domenic Jaskulski was being transported from the prison in Trion down to the diagnostic prison in Jackson. According to the warden, the prisoner had been exhibiting certain…behaviors that made him believe he may benefit from reclassification to a more secure unit.

  “Approximately fifty miles in, the van went off the road and down an embankment. As I mentioned, investigators are still on the scene, piecing together what happened. Search dogs are combing through the wooded area and attempting to pick up his trail. Right now, we have no reason to suspect foul play.”

  “Really?” Lachlan scoffed, vein in his neck throbbing. He glanced at Imogene, struggling to temper his remarks. “A prison transport van carrying that bastard just so happens to go off the road and crash. Miraculously, he’s the only one who manages to escape with his life. Probably without so much as a scratch on him, since he hasn’t been located. And you don’t think that screams foul play?”

  “Until we find physical evidence supporting that theory, we need to base our determination on what we do know. In addition to Jaskulski, there were two other prisoners in the van, all three men chained and shackled. Since Jaskulski was sitting the farthest back from the source of impact, we believe that was what saved him. The guard in the front and the driver most likely died the instant the van hit a tree at what investigators believe to be full speed. It’s possible the impact of the crash dislodged the restraint bar the prisoner was shackled to, allowing him to escape.”

  “Great. Bloody great.”

  “I appreciate what a shock this is.” Captain Dawson turned his eyes toward mine. “How uneasy you must feel. Atlanta PD is fully aware of the situation and has assigned twenty-four-hour surveillance over these premises in the event Jaskulski attempts to pay you a visit.”

  I opened my mouth to respond, but Lachlan interjected.

  “You think that’s a comfort?”

  “I understand you don’t have the best…history with some people in the department.”

  “You’ve got that right,” he muttered.

  “But I can assure you, they’re treating Ms. Prescott’s safety with the highest level of importance. As is the GBI.”

  “GBI?” I asked, brows furrowed.

  “Georgia Bureau of Investigation. They’ve been called in on this matter, as has the FBI and US Marshals. We’re utilizing every resource possible to find Jaskulski and return him to custody. Most convicts don’t last more than twenty-four hours on the run, the majority found in less than four.”

  Lachlan parted his lips, about to argue once more. But before he could, I placed a hand on his bicep, giving him a look of warning.

  “Thank you, Captain Dawson.” I passed him a congenial smile. “I appreciate your concern. And everything you’re all doing to keep us safe.”

  “Of course, ma’am,” he replied with a nod. “With your permission, I’d like to send a small team in here to do a thorough search of your house and property. Make sure he’s not hiding somewhere.”

  “You think he could already be here?” My voice rose in pitch, hair on the back of my neck standing up. I couldn’t shake the feeling someone was watching me. It couldn’t have been Nick, though.

  Could it?

  The prison was about ninety miles from here. If the crash happened fifty miles away, that was still forty miles. The only way he’d be able
to make that distance in such a short amount of time was if he had a car.

  God, I prayed he didn’t have a car.

  The only thing that gave me anything remotely resembling peace of mind was the fact he was on foot. That he probably wouldn’t be able to outrun the authorities.

  That all changed if he had transportation.

  “This is simply a routine check. Particularly after the warden informed us of your meeting with him yesterday and the threats he made. So we’d like to take a look around.”

  I hugged myself, trying to ward off the chills trickling down my spine. “Of course.”

  “Thank you, ma’am.” He turned, signaling a handful of uniformed officers hovering outside to enter my home.

  As they headed in every direction, weapons drawn, all I could do was try to wrap my mind around this new reality.

  Nick had escaped prison.

  He was on the loose.

  He could be anywhere.

  “I, uh… I should probably go,” Ethan said, cutting through my anxiety.

  I flung my eyes to his. I’d forgotten he was even here. Forgotten everything he’d come over to share. That he’d found evidence connecting Daxton, one of the team owners, to not only these recent murders, but also Nick.

  Circumstantial evidence, but evidence nonetheless.

  “It looks like you have your hands full here. Plus, I could really use some sleep.” He ran a hand over his weary face. “You’ll be okay? Keep me updated if you hear anything?”

  “Of course.”

  “Good.” He stepped toward me, hugging me. “Be safe,” he whispered shakily.

  “I will.”

  He held me a moment before releasing me and saying his goodbyes to Lachlan, then Imogene. It didn’t matter they’d never met. He knew who she was. Hopefully with everything else going on, Imogene wouldn’t ask who he was and what he was doing here. I wasn’t sure how I’d explain it. I still struggled to make sense of it myself. Still wondered if Nick’s escape was purely a coincidence or if it were directly related to my visit yesterday.

  I feared it was.

  Once Ethan left, Lachlan spun toward me, eyes intense. Determined. Fierce.

  “Here’s what we’re going to do. We’re going to California today, like we’d planned.” He looked at Imogene. “All of us.” He refocused his attention on me. “After the game Monday, I’ll fly you and Imogene to Hawaii before coming back for the first game of the playoffs. Provided we win these next few games. You two will be safe there.”

  I blinked, mouth slackening, slowly shaking my head. “You want me to…leave?”

  “Why wouldn’t you? It’s safer than staying here.”

  I gaped at him, not believing my ears. Then I faced Imogene, gritting out a smile.

  “Can you give us a minute, sweetie? Stay where I can see you. I just need to speak with Lachlan for a moment.”

  “This involves me, too.” She placed a hand on her hip, holding her head high, exuding confidence and determination. “I should be a part of the conversation and decision.”

  I gave her a look. My “mom look”, as she often called it.

  But unlike when she was a little girl, she didn’t back down. If anything, she held her head higher, eyebrow raised.

  I wanted to tell her she was only fourteen and didn’t get to make decisions yet. At least not like this. But over the years, she’d proven herself to be a very levelheaded teenager. I should at least listen to her thoughts on the situation.

  “Fine.”

  I turned back toward Lachlan, expelling a sigh. “I appreciate your concern, but I’m not going to allow Nick to force me out of my home. Away from my friends. Away from my family. Going to California, then hiding in Hawaii for God knows how long while they try to find him?” I shook my head. “I won’t do it. Not to mention, Londyn’s in her third trimester. Considering she was one of his earliest assault victims, there’s no telling what kind of stress this is causing her right now. What kind of stress this could cause the baby. If anything happens, I need to be close by. Not a nine-hour flight away.”

  “But she has Wes to watch out for her. Who will watch out for both of you when I’m not here?” He glanced at Imogene before returning his worried eyes to mine.

  “I managed just fine before you, Lachlan.”

  My words came out more biting than I intended, but I wasn’t going to take them back.

  I’d survived everything Nick threw at me for years without anyone coming to my aid. I could do the same now. I didn’t need some knight in shining armor to protect me or Imogene. I could do that myself.

  “That was before your goddamn psycho ex escaped a fucking prison transport!”

  Before Imogene could call him out on it, he reached into the pocket of his gym shorts and pulled out a few twenties, handing them to her.

  “Paying in advance?” I remarked, the mood lightening momentarily.

  “She charges me a higher rate because of who I am.” He crossed his arms in front of his chest, a ghost of a smile playing on his lips as he feigned annoyance. “Complete bullshite if you ask me.”

  “Like I said… You can afford it, Hale,” she teased.

  I smiled, grateful for the brief moment of levity, then blew out a long sigh.

  “Lachlan…” I placed my hands on his chest, the mood becoming serious once more. “It means a lot that you’ll go through all that to keep us safe. But look around you.” I stepped back, gesturing at our surroundings, my house swarming with cops. “Nick would be an idiot if he tried to come here. His face is probably plastered on every television within the state. Hell, across the country. He won’t get far. You heard what Captain Dawson said. Most escaped convicts are apprehended within the first twenty-four hours.”

  Lachlan widened his stance. “Most escaped convicts aren’t bloody geniuses like your ex-husband.”

  “It’ll be fine. I’m sure he’ll be back in prison by this time tomorrow.” I forced a smile, attempting to offer him some sort of assurance.

  When he didn’t say anything, I added, “Please, Lachlan. Let me make this decision for myself. For Imogene. Don’t let him chase us out of our home.”

  He studied me a moment longer, then relaxed his stance, exhaling deeply. “How about a compromise? I won’t push California and Hawaii if you agree to stay at my place instead.”

  “I just got done telling you I refuse to allow Nick to run me away from my home. I—”

  “And he’s not,” he attempted to placate me, running his hands down my arms.

  “But—”

  “I don’t want you to think of my place as just mine. I’d like you to feel as if it’s your home, too, love.” He gave me a shy smile that chipped away at my resolve.

  God, why did he have to have such a sexy smile? It was impossible to say no to him when he peered at me that way.

  “Plus, the entire perimeter of my property is gated, making access quite difficult. There’s also a top-of-the-line security system, complete with cameras at each entry point, as well as several along the exterior. So even when I am gone, I won’t have to worry about your safety being left in the hands of a bunch of cops I don’t trust to guard a pile of garbage.”

  I chewed on my lower lip as I contemplated his offer. I did like his house, especially the kitchen.

  “He does have a great pool,” Imogene offered in support of Lachlan’s proposal. “And that theater room is to die for.”

  “See.” He playfully waggled his brows. “Imogene likes my plan.”

  I glared at both of them before pushing out a sigh. “Fine. We’ll stay at your place. But it’s only temporary.”

  In a heartbeat, it was as if a giant weight had lifted off Lachlan’s shoulders. He wrapped his arms around me, pulling me against his chest.

  “Thank you.” The relief in his voice nearly broke me.

  Then he reached out for Imogene, pulling her into our embrace.

  It was just a hug, something people did all the time. But as we
held each other in the middle of my kitchen, it felt so much deeper and more powerful than a simple hug.

  Like the bonds of our embrace would protect us from anything, as long as we had each other.

  I could only pray it would protect us from what I feared in my heart the future held.

  Three

  Lachlan

  “Is she okay? Julia? Imogene? How are they?” Nikko asked frantically when I answered the phone later that morning, not even allowing me a chance to say anything in greeting. “How did this happen? I called the second I could. My god, bruh. What the fuck?”

  “They’re fine,” I assured him, glancing toward the kitchen from where I sat on the couch in the living room. My heart warmed at the sight of Julia walking from the island to the oven, a tray of muffin in her hands.

  It didn’t take long for her and Imogene to settle into my place, making it feel like a home, not just somewhere I slept whenever I was in town.

  Within minutes of arriving, Imogene claimed one of the guest rooms, immediately ditching the décor I paid an interior decorator an obscene amount of money to design in favor of some of the things from her home that brought her comfort. And, as expected, Julia took over the kitchen, stocking the pantry with everything she needed. I told her she didn’t need to cook, but as I recalled from Hawaii, baking was her happy place. Her stress reliever.

  And that was precisely what she’d spent most of the morning doing.

  About an hour ago, Wes and Londyn had stopped by to make sure Julia was okay. And probably to get a break from the cops stationed to watch their house, as well. It was obvious the situation caused Londyn quite a bit of unease, as it did all of us. All we could do was hope we’d soon get a phone call informing us Nick had been caught. It gave us some comfort to know Agent Curran had been asked to assist in tracking him down. Besides Nikko, he was one of the few law enforcement officials I actually did trust. When he vowed to do everything in his power to find Nick and keep Julia and Imogene safe, it wasn’t an empty assurance. He would gladly risk his life to protect them.

  Just like I would.

  Taking a sip of water, I shifted my eyes to the sliding glass doors, watching Imogene and Eli kick a soccer ball around.