Midnight Daffodil (Poisonous Petals #1)

Chapter 39Olivia

thirty-nine

OLIVIA

B y the time we got home from my parents, the desire for Luke had consumed me. Lately, all I could think about was him. My body still burned from our quickie in the garage.

Luke helped me get my luggage into the elevator. “Damn,” he muttered as his phone vibrated. “What is it, Aidan?” He answered as the elevator opened on my floor.

“How long has he been sick?”

The look of concern on Luke’s face stopped me. “What’s wrong?” I whispered, taking his hand.

“Rev’s not feeling well,” Luke told me, then into the phone, “I’m with Olivia right now. Let me get her settled in, and I’ll be on my way.”

“If you have to get Rev, you can,” I told him softly as he hung up.

“I want to make sure you get in safe.” His eyes refused to leave mine.

“I’ll be fine. Look around,” I motioned to the empty, brightly lit hallway. “Our unit is right down the hall. I can make it there on my own, I swear.” I watched the gears in his mind turning.

He looked down at me, tilting my face to his, and kissed me. His soft lips were other worldly on mine. His tongue slipped into my mouth. “I want you safe no matter what.” He stroked my cheek when he parted from me.

“I love that you want me safe.” Luke made me feel like a cherished possession in the best way. “It’s one of my favorite things about you. I promise, though, I’ll be okay. You need to get Rev. I’ll text you as soon as I get into the apartment.”

“You’ll lock the doors? Including the chain lock?”

“Yes.”

“You’ll text me the moment you get in?”

“I solemnly swear.”

He thought for another moment, wiping his hand down his face as if this was the hardest decision he would ever have to make.

“I’ll be fine, babe,” I said. “Give Rev a hug for me, and keep me posted if he’s okay.”

“Alright, fine. But next time, I won’t let you talk me out of it. You’re the most important thing to me now.” He pulled out his phone, dialing Aidan as he turned back toward the elevator. I grabbed my stuff and rolled it down the hall.

Vera should’ve left for her business trip earlier, leaving me with the cats for the week. We timed our vacations perfectly.

A small vase sat in front of the door. Another daffodil, this time fresh, greeted me with another note attached. I picked up the vase, careful not to spill any water, kicking the door shut behind me.

I did as Luke directed and locked each lock, including the sliding chain latch.

I turned my attention to the daffodil, taking the note. My heart quickened as I read the words, the neat handwriting and stationery belonging to one person only.

You will come home Livie.

T he demanding tone sent me into a spiral. Waves of nausea crashed over me. Fear hit me like a cold bucket of water. The daffodil fell to the floor with the vase. Water and glass surrounded me as my heart pounded, and tears poured down my face in hot streams.

Luke’s ringtone dragged me back to the moment, ripping me from my panic.

I answered with, "Luke," as I sucked in the suffocating air.

“What happened?” His voice gruff.

“I have another one,” I said, my voice catching as I sniffled. God, I was a fucking mess; why did he even want to be bothered with me?

I was being stalked.

Matt wasn’t going to leave me alone.

He’d never let me go.

“Can you read it to me, angel? I’m turning around.”

“No,” I snapped more forcefully than I meant to. “You don’t have to. You need to get Rev; you work tonight. I’m always keeping you up and dragging you into my messes.”

Shame drizzled over me like icing on a shit cake, cascading my body in a sea of humiliation.

“You’re never dragging me into anything. You’re my whole world, Olivia.”

“I–” I almost let the words slip. I didn’t want this to be when I admitted that I loved him. “I want him to leave me alone.”

“I want that more than anything, angel,” he sighed into the receiver.

“What do I do with this one?”

He contemplated silently. “I’m gonna get Rev, then get dressed. Aidan and I will stop by. All he's doing is giving us more proof that he's stalking you.”

I nodded and realized he couldn’t see me. “Okay.”

“In the meantime, you keep the doors locked. I don’t want you answering for anyone. I’ll call you when I’m standing right outside, angel,” he said.

I agreed and hung up. I looked down at the mess in front of me. The note got slightly wet, but it remained legible. I set it aside as I cleaned.

I finished that, fed the cats, and went to the bathroom for a hot shower. I locked the door, letting the steam fill the room until it was impossible to see. I stood under the stream for what felt like forever. By the time I got out, my tan skin tingled and flushed red. I deep conditioned my natural curly hair and finger curled the pieces framing my face.

I dressed in fleece shorts and a shirt. Rummaging through the pantry and fridge, nothing appealing greeted me. I texted Luke, asking him to bring me something on his way here. He responded with a thumbs up.

He’d be here in less than an hour. I rotted on the couch, emotionally drained. Noodle curled up at my feet on the other end as I flipped through the streaming services.

I flicked on the news. National headlines describing a string of murders on a college campus played before my eyes.

“Police urge students attending Dade University to proceed to campus with caution.” The news anchor recited the words.

I wonder if, one day, I’ll make national news headlines.