"Can we please go talk?"

"Actually, I think I'm going to get one of the guys to drive me and Trip back. He feels a little warm. He's not used to so much socializing," she says dismissively, now sounding completely sober.

She takes Trip from Shannon's grip, and then she starts walking toward the door, the broken pieces of her heart barely hanging on to her sleeve. She really does care, but she doesn't believe me.

"Ash, I have no reason to lie to you. Please don't run off into the night with my son. I want you here."

She whirls around and takes a step very close to me as she stares me in the eyes.

"You want me here? Tag, you don't even want to be in the same d.a.m.n room with me. Just forget it. You have the right to f.u.c.k anyone you want. You're a father, not a husband."

She whips back around and walks away, leaving me standing in the middle of a bunch of gaping mouths.

"I guess that means you're up for grabs," a girl says, but I don't even turn to see who it is as I rush out to follow the girl I love.

"Ash," I yell. "Ash, stop, please."

She doesn't stop, instead, her pace quickens as she rushes to escape my grasp. She runs over to one of the guards, and he nods as he walks away, leaving her alone in the courtyard.

Melanie walks up to talk to her, and I prop up against the wall as I stare at her hopelessly. I didn't even mean to f.u.c.k up this time.

Ashiara Unbelievable. Unbelievable. Unbelievable!

I've been getting shunned for weeks because I tried to keep him from having to be a responsible adult - which I once didn't think he could ever be. Now, right when I think we're making ground, he f.u.c.ks some random girl at our son's party. I was apparently in that d.a.m.n bed for longer than I thought.

"We're almost there, Ms. Branderwood."

"Thanks, Troy."

He smiles softly, and I rub Trip's small hand as we pull into Tag's oversized house that feels less like home with every pa.s.sing second.

"Do you need anything?" he asks kindly as several security guards walk toward us.

"No, thank you. You can tell Mr. Masters he can wake me up when he gets here. I'll let him have the night alone with his son."

I'm sure as h.e.l.l not sleeping with him tonight.

"Will do, ma'am."

I climb free from the car, and I head inside, praying to fall right to sleep without dreaming about Tag and that stupid, filthy blond.

"Hey, baby," I murmur to the sweet boy in my arms who is clinging to me with his tiny fingers.

They open the doors for me, and I smile as Trip coos in his sleep. To him, this is home, but to me, this is h.e.l.l. Here, his daddy loves him. Here, his daddy loves making me cry.

Why am I putting myself through this? Tag has money, but it's not like he can buy sole custody. If anything, he'll get joint custody, and he'll see his son as much as I see him without us living together.

Melanie's house is just as well fortified as his. I don't care what he says about gaps. I can stay there until my stalker, is found instead of killing myself daily.

"Ms, Branderwood, we'll be outside if you need anything."

"Thanks, guys."

They never sleep. I swear Tag has vampires working for him.

After placing Trip in his crib, I slip out of my dress and toss it into my room before pulling out a set of pajamas to wear to bed. Trip gurgles slightly, and I grin as I pick up the monitor and turn it on before heading into the kitchen.

Now that I've sobered up, I'm actually a little hungry. Maybe my anger will help bring back my appet.i.te, now that I'm done feeling guilty.

I tilt my head as I see the back door has been left unlocked. I quickly lock it before punching in the security code. Usually the guys sweep the house to make sure everything is locked up tight before the sun goes down.

I shake off the eerie feeling, and then I head back to the fridge to pull out the makings for a salad. I'll start light since I've barely eaten in three days. I swear I've developed an ulcer thanks to Tag's cold treatment.

I'll calm down before I talk to him about moving out and custody disputes. Right now, I don't have the energy. I'm sure he'll screw everyone at the d.a.m.n party now that I'm gone.

My phone has at least fifteen missed calls, but I roll my eyes and put it down. Then it buzzes, and I look down to see it's him. I quickly ignore the call, and then it buzzes again. This time, it's Wren. Against my better judgment, I answer.

"Hey, Wren. You can tell him we're at his house, and Trip is fine."

"Ash, he's on his way there now. He got a call saying you'd be dead before he got home. We can't reach the security guards. I've already called the cops. Get the h.e.l.l out of there now!"

A chill spreads over me, and then I feel the sharp, piercing pain as something slices through my back. I cry out, and I hear Wren screaming as my cries find their way to the phone.

I hear the alarm sounding as the door breaks open, and a flash of blond as my attacker is forced to retreat.

"Ash!" Tag yells as it all fades to black.

Chapter Thirteen.

No Name to the Stalker Tag "It's fortunate she had the driver detour. The suspect apparently knew when she left, and he expected her home sooner or he wouldn't have called you to gloat so early on," the detective sighs.

"Why did they detour?"

"They were going to have to drive past a noisy factory, and she said it scared your son on the way there."

I smile as I look down at my little boy squirming in my arms, while his mother lies in the hospital bed, still unconscious after her surgery.

"The doctor says she'll make a speedy recovery. It looks like we're after a guy between five-four and five-six, based on the attack mark, depth, and angle. It's a good thing you got there when you did. He left behind a car-seat. He was planning on taking your son with him."

I shiver as the thought of losing either of them almost overwhelms me. I walk over and sit on Ash's bedside while taking her hand in mine.

"That's twice he's tried to kill her. Any idea what he did to my guys' phones?"

"An electronic pulse he sent out killed them all. He cut the wires to your land line. Ash and Troy's phones were still working, but his was left in the car, and apparently she didn't answer hers."

"Yeah, I figured that out. We're going to go stay at one of my other homes for a while. I don't want Ash to be afraid, and I'm sure she will be if she's there."

"Mr. Masters, I don't want to upset you, but I think she was planning on moving out. She had a suitcase open when we arrived on the scene, and some of her things were strewn across her bed."

I have barely been in the house for long enough to gauge the surroundings. I was just worried about getting to her. I could have chased the guy I barely caught a glimpse of, but I couldn't leave her there, bleeding out.

"She might think she's moving, but she's not going anywhere until this guy is behind bars or dead. Personally, I prefer the latter of the two."

"Honestly, I prefer the latter of the two as well. I hope you can convince her to stay. She doesn't need to be alone."

"She won't be alone."

I won't let her leave.

Ashiara Waking up in a hospital with a d.a.m.n aching side is never fun, but I feel fine, considering I was stabbed. Now I've been stabbed and shot. Either this guy is the worst criminal of all time, or he's not as capable of killing as he wants to be.

Either way, I'm grateful to still be breathing. I'm even happier my son is okay, and the psycho focused solely on me.

"You still look incredible, and you're in a hospital bed," Shannon playfully gripes. "I hate you."

I laugh lightly until I realize how badly that hurts to do, and then I shake my head.

"You're excellent for my self esteem."

She smiles affectionately, and the doctor walks in to check on me.

"Ms. Branderwood, you are one fortunate young lady."

"I've got a good guardian angel."

"Well, your guardian angel kept the knife away from all your major organs and arteries. We were able to stop the bleeding and get you st.i.tched up with minimal problem. You should be able to get out of here in a couple of days."

"Who do I need to give my insurance information to?" I ask while staring at the younger guy who doesn't look old enough to be a doctor.

"Actually, it looks like your husband has already handled all the financial stuff."

My husband? Wrong patient, Doc.

"Well that would be a little hard since I'm not married."

His lady-killing smile flashes, but apparently I'm numb to all other men.

"Well, someone by the name of Tagland Masters handled the financial stuff. I a.s.sumed he was your husband, since your son's name is Trip Masters."

I should have let him a.s.sume he was my husband. Now I just look like a s.l.u.t.

"Oh. I didn't know Tag had been here."

"He hasn't left," Wren says as he walks in carrying a gallant bouquet with Billy on his heels bringing one of his own. "He's downstairs with your parents right now, explaining what happened."

I didn't want them to meet him. d.a.m.n it.

"Oh," I mumble uncomfortably.

He hasn't left?

"Well, I'll see you in a while, Ms. Branderwood. Until then, you need to eat."

"That's what everyone keeps saying," I grumble. "I got stabbed the last time I tried to eat."

My morbid joke doesn't make anyone laugh. They all cringe instead.

"Too soon?" I muse, making Billy and Wren crack a grin.

"Well, it's good to see you're feeling well enough to make jokes. We do have a psychologist on hand, and she'll be coming by to speak to you, per the request of your hus... er... your son's father."

Awkward. At least he didn't say my baby's daddy.

"Thanks, but I don't need my head shrunk. I can deal just fine."

He frowns.

"You've been through a lot. I think it would do some good to speak to a professional."

"I've got friends, Doc. I don't need a stranger to listen to my problems. Thank you though. The gesture is kind."

He nods, and then walks out, still obviously disagreeing, but too professional to debate it further.

"So, you've been shot and stabbed, but you don't think you need to see a shrink?" Billy gripes, his tone slightly scolding.

"No. I think I need to get a prison tat and join a gang."

Again, crickets. c.r.a.p.

"You guys have to loosen up," I mumble.

"Who's loosening up?" Tag asks as he walks in, his eyes finding me immediately.

"Ash is refusing therapy, but she's talking about prison tats and gang initiations," Billy grouses.

"Ah, well, in that case, no therapy necessary," he lightly jokes while joining me at my bedside. "Your parents are here. They still haven't met Trip. I thought you'd want to be the one to do introductions."