"Fucking hell! Are you not listening to what I'm saying?!" Rin's voice rang out through the otherwise silent car.
"You were the one who pulled him into your world, Rin. Did you really expect no repercussions? How many times have you had a lover threatened? The company set these rules for a reason, yet you still insist on breaking them." Rodric replied, the bored exhaustion of a parent arguing with a young child echoing in his voice.
"I… I have to agree with your father this time, Rin… There is a greater risk that going public like this will only bring about more problems." Mandy muttered.
Rin clenched his hands around the stirring wheel. "As long as it makes it harder for this prick to get to him, I don't care."
"And if it causes twenty others just like them to come after him as well? What then?" Rodric retorted.
A muscle in Rin's jaw twitched. "You approved of this just hours ago, or have you already forgotten?"
"You'll do what you want regardless. As you said, if we're lucky, a good story will come of it." Rodric said, distraction obvious in his voice. "Where is Dillon? I want to hear where he's gotten on all this. He's the only one of you that has any sense after all."
"He's still at the hotel, I assume. He was going to go over the security footage. I'll call him when we're-"
"Don't bother. Mandy, patch him in on this call now. Obviously, these two can't handle this situation on their own."
"Yes, Sir. Just one moment." The line went quiet for several seconds before Mandy's voice came back across. "Mr. Perish, Dillon is on here now as you requested. I've already caught him up on the conversation so far."
"And? Have you discovered anything useful?" Rodric asked, boredom oozing from his tone.
Dillon blew out a sigh. "Not much, though the lack of information is telling in its own way. No one with a hand tattoo checked into the hotel or had any interaction with the front desk. That's not to say the tattoo Rory saw could have been fake. The security team wasn't wrong. It's hard to track hooded men in this event. The only pro is that this individual seems to be above six foot tall."
"Did you see him approach the stage?" Rin interrupted.
"Not exactly. I don't think he did it himself. I think he asked someone else while he watched from a blind corner of the room. It's the only thing that makes sense."
"Your culprit seems very crafty. They're probably into thrillers and true crime. They have turned stalking your new little toy into a game." Rodric supplied.
"Rin…" Dillon hesitated for a second. "Are there any vehicles on the road with you right now?"
Rin glanced in the rearview mirror. "Yeah, why? We've been in heavy traffic since leaving the hotel earlier, though it looks like it's finally starting to clear out. There's only maybe two or three vehicles behind me now and one or two in front of me."
Dillon frowned as he watched the monitor displaying the footage from earlier in front of the hotel. "No reason… I think this whole thing just has me a bit paranoid."
"Has there been any development on the story Beck is cooking up?" Rodric asked.
"No. She left halfway through the press conference as well. So, I'm not sure if she's planning something new or if we successfully scooped her story." Dillon supplied.
"If that's all you have, then good night. Call me if there are any new developments." Rodric didn't bother waiting for a reply before cutting his end of the call.
Mandy blew out a long breath. "How are you holding up, Rin?"
"How do you think?" Rin bit out. He glanced over as a small, cold hand slid over his thigh. He met sleep-clouded eyes, and the first authentic smile of the night curved his lips. He cupped Rory's hand and squeezed it. "We'll be fine, though. Like dad said, this isn't the first time… and probably won't be the last or worst…"
"Well, if it makes a difference, your announcement has gone viral faster than any other so far. People are eating it up. Sales and downloads are through the roof of the current book, with people going back, rereading, and speculating which parts were inspired by your real-life relationship as it developed. The presale for the new book sold out about an hour ago. It's probably why your father isn't saying much about this."
"Hum… of course that would be what he'd be most concerned about," Rin growled.
"Would it be Rodric if it wasn't?" Dillon supplied. "Anyway, I'm wrapping up here. There really wasn't much I could find from the security footage. It was like they already knew where the cameras were and actively avoided them. They also didn't stay in this hotel, so there was no interaction with the front desk, any of the staff, or elevator usage. It was perfectly planned…"
Rory's hand tightened in Rin's. "Like dad said, it's probably someone interested in thriller novels or something and trying to scare us with their fucked up little game."
"It isn't completely unheard of that people like that try using celebrities who are currently getting a lot of attention to garnish their own minute of fame." Mandy provided.
"How close are you to the house?" Dillon asked.
Rin glanced down at the phone display. "About 25 minutes from the office. So, another 20 past that to the house." He glanced into the rearview mirror again. Finally, traffic has eased up. So, hopefully we'll be able to beat that time a bit once we get past town."
"Alright… Well, be careful. I'm leaving now. I'll come straight to your place." Dillon said distractedly, the sounds of things shuffling around echoing over the phone line.
"You both be careful. Contact me first if anything comes up!" Mandy said nervously. "I'll continue working from my end to stay on top of the stories and videos as they break. We never know, maybe we'll get lucky, and this person will show up in some of the footage others have taken."
"That's not a bad idea, Mandy. I'll send over a picture of one of the suspects before I leave." Dillon muttered. "I'm hanging up. Text me when you get home, Rin."
"Alright. Later." Rin blew out a sigh as the phone screen went back to full-screen GPS. He gave Rory's hand a squeeze. "How are you feeling?"
Rory leaned across the console and rested his head on Rin's shoulder. "Tired… worried… I agree with your dad… We shouldn't have gone public. It's only going to attract more unwanted attention and agitate this person even more."
Rin shook his head. "I don't agree. Visibility will make it harder for them to come at you directly, especially if it's this Mike guy. He's not going to risk the attention it would garner if he got involved with you."
Silent tears streamed down Rory's face. "You don't know him… He would just see it as more of a challenge." The lights from the businesses lining the street illuminated the inside of the car, casting an iridescent glow to the tears as they trickled down his cheeks.
Rin leaned over and placed a kiss on the top of Rory's head. "I promise, I'll do everything I can to keep you safe."
HONK!
Rin arched his brows in irritation as he lifted his head and glanced into the rearview mirror. They were reaching the outer edge of the town now, where the GPS would no longer be useful, but an SUV was still following close behind them. "This asshole," Rin muttered. He shook his head as he straightened in his seat and sped up.
Rory's concerned eyes shifted from the SUV to the phone's display. "Are… are they following us?"
Rin frowned. "Nah. It's not a well-populated area out here, but there are still a few houses. They're probably in a hurry to get home given the hour."
"Ok…" Rory's voice shook as he watched the lights of the town disappear behind them. His eyes moved to the speedometer. Rin had sped up to over 70 on the road marked for 55 mph, but the vehicle behind them was still driving close behind… too close.
Rin gritted his teeth as he glanced into the rearview mirror. "In a real big hurry to get home, it looks like…"
"Maybe, we should slow down or pull over and let them by."
Rin slowed down and held up his hand to wave them by, but the vehicle slowed as well. "What the fuck." He narrowed his eyes as he hit the gas again. "Get my phone and call Dillon back." Rin trained his focus on the winding road ahead as he listened to the ringing of the phone.
"You guys make it home already?" Dillon answered.
"No, not yet. That vehicle you mentioned earlier, what was it?" Rin barked out.
"From the hotel?" Dillon asked.
"Yeah."
"Black SUV. Why?"
Rin clenched his teeth together harder, painfully. "Because I think the asshole followed us and is fucking with us right now."
"Rin, hang up and call the police! Don't try to handle this on your own!"
Rin glanced over at Rory. "Fuck… alright." He nodded to Rory. "Do it."
Rory hung up and quickly punched in 911.
"You've reached the emergency line. What is your emergency?"
Rin glared down at his speedometer as he hit over 80. "We're out on rural road 20, headed north, and are being followed. I think we have been followed since we left our hotel over two hours ago, but now they are getting bolder."
"I understand. Can you please provide your name and a description of your vehicle?"
"Rin Perish, author with Perish Publishing. I'm driving a white Lexus." Rin squinted against the bright lights as the SUV suddenly turned on its bright lights. "The asshole just turned their brights on and is getting closer even though we're running over 85 right now."
"Sir, I must advise that you slow your vehicle down."
"I've already tried to slow down and let the fucker by! They just slowed as well! My partner in the car with me has also been getting threatening texts that have escalated over the weekend. We suspect this may be the same person."
"I understand, Sir." Typing could be heard. "Please stay on the line. I am dispatching an officer to your location. Is it ok that we access the GPS location using your phone?"
"Yes… Hah, Fuck!" Rin clutched the wheel as the SUV sped up and bumped the rear end of the car. "Tell them to hurry the fuck up! This crazy bastard is trying to run us off the goddamn road now!" Rin yelled out.
"I hear you, Sir. Please try to remain calm and focused. An officer is en route as we speak. ETA five minutes."
"That's not going to be soon enough if this bastard wrecks and kills us!" Rin sped up more as the SUV tried to pull up beside them. "Crazy fuck!" He shot a glance over at Rory. "Slide your seat back and tighten your seatbelt. Be prepared just in case."
"Sir, what is happening?"
"The crazy bastard is trying to sideswipe us!" Rin barked out as he pushed the accelerator to the floor.
"I have your location mapped. Please take the next left."
"I don't think I can at this speed, and if I try to slow down, this fucker is definitely hitting us!"
"I understand, but you need to head back toward town. The farther away from a populated area, the more dangerous the situation is. You need to turn now, Sir."
Rin clenched his jaw as he slammed on his brakes and hung a sharp left, causing the other vehicle to speed by them. "Alright, now what?"
"In a half mile, there will be another left at a four-way stop. Take it."
Rin followed the directions, driving as fast as he could on the narrow road.
"Is the vehicle still following you?"
Rin glanced into the rearview mirror. "I don't see lights at the moment."
"Alright. Your next right will take you back onto the main road and toward town. You should pass the officer in less than two minutes. As soon as you see him, let me know."
Rin nodded even though he knew she couldn't see. "Alright, I'm pulling out onto the main road now." His eyes scanned the dark road. "I don't see any other vehicles." As Rin pulled out, lights flashed on from the side of the road. Gravel cascaded up along both sides of the SUV as it charged toward them like an angry bull seeing the drop of a red flag. "Ah fuck!" The words barely left Rin's lips as the first waves of impact hit the car. His arm shot out across Rory's chest, bracing him against the impact as best as he could. Glass shattered, and the sound of metal scraping and crunching against metal reverberated through the inside of the car.
"Sir! Can you hear me? What happened!"
"Hit…" Rin choked out as the car slammed into the guard rail on his side. Warm liquid trailed down Rin's forehead, but he couldn't be bothered to wipe it away as he struggled against the confines of the airbag and seatbelt. "Rory, are you ok? Rory?"
Rory groaned from the passenger seat but didn't reply.
"Shit, Rory, answer me!"
"Sir, how many other people are inside the vehicle with you? Are they conscious?"
"Just one… and I'm not sure…" Rin struggled against the seat belt but could only manage getting his arm free enough to reach Rory. He pushed Rory's limp shoulders away from the air bag. "It's too dark… I can't tell how hurt he is…" His trembling fingers moved to Rory's neck. "But his pulse is beating hard." He quickly moved his fingers to Rory's nose. "And his breathing is labored but steady."
"That's to be expected. Do you see the police lights yet?"
Rin glanced up. "No…" Movement in his peripheral caught his attention. He quickly went back to struggling against the airbag and seat belt as he called out. "But the driver is walking over!"
"Sir, lock your doors. Officers should be arriving any minute!"
Rin's attention shifted to the lock panel, and he quickly hit the button before shooting his worried gaze back to the slow-moving figure. He pulled at the seat belt again, but it was obvious the latch was stuck. He tried to turn the car back on, but it wouldn't start. "Goddamnit!" He screamed as he slammed his fists against the airbag that had finally begun to deflate. "He's at the car!"
"754 location?" The operator called over the other line before muffled static sounded in the distance. "You should be seeing the patrol car at any time, Sir."
"A few more seconds, and it's going to be too fucking late!" Rin barked out as he fought to start the car over and over. "Fuck off!" He called out as a torso came into view beside Rory's window, and the man tugged at the door handle. "It's locked motherfucker! Go away!" Rin's heart dropped as he watched a gloved hand slide through the busted back window and hit the unlock button. He quickly slammed his hand down on the lock switch, but he was no match for the man's second attempt. The man hit the unlock switch and pulled Rory's door open simultaneously. Rin grabbed the half-empty bottle still in the cup holder and flung it at the man, but it was pointless. It did nothing to detour the masked man as he bent and reached across Rory's limp body. "Keep your hands off him!"
"Sir, please tell me exactly what is happening! This is a recorded line! It is very important! Describe as much as you can!" The operator's voice caused the man to pause momentarily. He tilted his masked head toward Rin before lowering farther and returning to the belt buckle.
Rin went on the defensive. Years of mixed martial arts hadn't been a complete waste. He flattened out the hilt of his palm and drove it into the man's elbow as hard as he could from his position. "I said, fuck off!"
The man lifted shadowed, irritated eyes to Rin. Even in the dark, Rin could feel the hate ooze from them. The man's hand shot across the car and snagged Rin by the throat. Rin gripped his wrist and sank his thumbs into the man's pressure points, but it seemed to do little to loosen his grip. If anything, the man seemed to tighten his hold. Just then, bright, flashing lights lit up the darkness.
"Do you see the officers now!"
"Yes!" Rin croaked as the tight grip around his neck suddenly released, and he watched as the man beat a hasty retreat, not before sending Rory one final glance, however.
"EMS has also been dispatched." The operator informed.
Rin rested his head back against the headrest as he watched and listened to the cop try and stop the masked man to no avail. Gravel pebbled against the back of Rin's car as the SUV peeled out and took off down the road once again. Another officer ran to the window of Rin's car and tapped on it, indicating he was going to try forcing it down with the device in his hand. Rin nodded in agreement.
"Hello, I'm Officer Sinclaire. I understand you were followed and then ran off the road tonight by a suspected stalker. Is this correct?"
Rin nodded. "Yes." He nodded toward the passenger seat. "I think they were trying to abduct my friend tonight."
The officer frowned as his attention moved to Rory, then down the road toward his partner. "I see… And do you have any idea who this person could be?"
Rin shook his head. "Nothing solid. The bastard had a mask on, so I didn't even get a good look at his face."
The officer's frown deepened. "The vehicle that hit you had no tags either."
Rin blew out a heavy sigh. "Figures…"
The officer's gaze moved over Rin. "You have lacerations across your head. Most likely from the window breaking. Are you hurt anywhere else?"
Rin shook his head as his hand moved to the now-dried streaks running down his face. "My friend hasn't woken up since the crash, though he has moaned a bit. And I seem to be stuck in here…" Rin groaned as he tried the seatbelt once again.
The officer nodded. "We have tools just for that. EMS is en route. In the meantime, I'm going to check out your friend." The officer rounded the car with his flashlight lifted. He shone it over Rory before leaning over and carefully pressing his lower eyelids down. "Hey there, son, can you hear me? This is Officer Sinclaire. You were in a car wreck. I think you might have hit your head a bit…"
Rory's head bobbed, but he still didn't respond.
The officer straightened with a heavy sigh. "Your friend must have taken quite the hit. He's probably a bit concussed as well. You'll both probably need to be checked out at the hospital just to be safe." He nodded toward Rory. "Him especially."