Unmasked (King Morine #4)

38. Mallory

CHAPTER 38

Mallory

N ot having Stryker around is weighing on me. It’s silly to miss him this much, but I’d gotten used to him stalking me. Since the barn incident, we’ve been inseparable. Until now.

I expect him to be waiting outside my classroom door, only to have the crushing weight of disappointment when I walk out and he’s not there. I expect him to show up everywhere I go, but he doesn’t.

As I walk to the coffee shop with Mandy, that familiar feeling of being watched assaults me. I look around but don’t see anyone.

My heart pounds faster, searching for Stryker. I pull out my phone and text him.

ME: Are you watching me?

STRYKER: I’m tracking you right now, but no. Should I be?

ME: That must be it. I felt like you were watching me. Probably wishful thinking.

STRYKER: Why don’t you put on a show for me after class ends?

ME: What do you have in mind?

STRYKER: Go home and use that toy you have inside your nightstand. I’ll send you a link so I can watch you.

I blush at the thought. I’ve never had anyone watch me touch myself. It’s a titillating thought to think of Stryker as the first.

ME: You’re the only one who can see, right?

STRYKER: Do I even have to dignify that with a response? I’ve killed men for touching you, remember?

I can’t help but giggle. I know murder is wrong, but in those cases, it feels justified. Stryker told me about the skeletons in both those men’s closets. They deserved what they got.

ME: Okay, I’ll do it. But I’m nervous.

STRYKER: You never have to be nervous around me. Everything you do is perfect. *Smiles*

ME: I love you.

STRYKER: I love you so much. I’ll talk more soon. XOXO.

“I’ve never seen you smile so much.” Mandy’s voice draws my attention to her .

I bite my lip before confessing, “I’ve never had a boyfriend.”

“What?” Mandy’s eyes roam over me from head to toe. “But you’re gorgeous. And the sweetest person I’ve ever met. How is that possible?”

My skin heats from blushing so hard. “My life wasn’t my own.” I look around, ensuring we’re alone. “Remember I told you who my parents are.”

She nods solemnly. “I’m not a fan of them. They seem like selfish assholes.”

“They are. Everything they do is carefully calculated to benefit their careers.” We walk inside the coffee shop. “I’ll tell you more once we sit down.”

Mandy nods, and we change the subject. Mandy tells me the cute guy, Jeffrey, who’s been tutoring her, has asked her on a date. I squeal and hug her. “That’s amazing.”

We order our drinks and some pastries. The cashier waves my card away. “It’s already been taken care of.”

I raise my brows. “It has?”

“Your boyfriend prepaid. You have a $200 balance to use.”

I glance at Mandy, shaking my head with a smile.

“Lucky girl,” she whispers. “I think the cashier thinks so, too.”

As we head to the end of the counter, I scowl at the cashier. “She better stay away from my guy. I don’t share.”

Mandy rolls her eyes. “I don’t think you need to worry. He’s so smitten with you that you’re all he sees.”

“You’ve noticed, huh?”

She snorts. “You’d have to be blind not to. Whenever I’m around the two of you, he’s like a guard dog who stares at you with heart eyes.”

“Heart eyes?” I burst out laughing.

“You know. Like the cartoons. ”

“I know what you mean. But Stryker having heart eyes is funny. I’m having a hard time visualizing it.”

“Here. I’ll show you.” She pulled up a picture of us on Instagram. I’m smiling at the camera, but Stryker looks at me like a dog drooling over a piece of steak.

“I see what you mean.” The barista calls our names, and we grab our food and drinks. “Come on. Let’s sit, and I’ll tell you about my crazy past.”