Page 18 of Unmasked

UNKNOWN: What do you think, little prey?

ME: I don’t know who else would be stalking me.

UNKNOWN: I hate that word. Stalking sounds cold and one-sided.

ME: It’s the truth. You know me yet I don’t know a damn thing about you.

UNKNOWN: Soon you’ll know everything about me, little prey.

A shiver runs through me, but I push it down. I have a more pressing question that needs to be addressed.

ME: I found a mark on my nipple this morning.

UNKNOWN: You did, huh? What kind of mark?

ME: One that looks like a hickey. Was it you?

UNKNOWN: Do you want it to be?

What kind of answer is that?I stare at his response for another minute, debating how to answer.

ME: And if I did, would you admit it?

UNKNOWN: I’d confess either way, little prey.

ME: Why do you keep calling me that?

UNKNOWN: I’m the predator, hunting you day and night. As soon as I saw you, my veins hummed with life. My body came alive. I’ve never felt like this. I knew you were the one for me.

What the fuck?I have no idea what to say. His response is morbidly sweet yet disturbing.

“Mallory?” A cute guy with wire-rimmed glasses stands in the doorway. His hands are shoved in the pockets of his khaki pants, and he’s wearing a blue button-down shirt.

“Yes.” Jumping to my feet, I slip my phone into mypocket. Holding out my hand, I smile at him. “You must be Adam.”

He shakes my hand, eyes locked on mine. “I am. Come in.”

I step into his small office. He comes in behind me, gesturing at the table, before pulling out the chair for me.

Okay, that seems weird.

I flash him an uneasy smile as I sit down, trying to brush it off.He’s just being polite.

Adam slides into the chair beside me, shifting so he’s closer. I raise my brows, wondering what he’s doing.

“During our first appointment, I’d like to learn about your strengths and weaknesses. Things you like and don’t like. Your preferred way of learning. Those types of things.” He flashes me a warm smile.

I relax into the chair. I’m overreacting, likely because of my stalker. Don’t judge Adam based on him.

Nodding vigorously, a surge of hope rushes through me. “That sounds great.”

“I’ll give you a brief test to help discover what I’m looking for. There are a few written questions, but the rest are oral.” His eyes drop to my lips, and I tense.

Why did he say oral instead of verbal?

“I’ll set up regular appointments with you.” He grabs his laptop, sliding it closer. “We’ll schedule those now. If you need to cancel or reschedule, it’s much easier once you are in the system.”

That makes sense.