Star-Crossed Letters (Falling for Famous #1)(60)

Maybe, though, I’ve been here too long. I insist on paying rent, which Sebastian donates to charity, yet this isn’t really my place as I was just reminded. Perhaps it’s time to find somewhere of my own. A place where I can set the rules.

Ryder swims up to Sebastian. “It’s not just Sebastian’s fault. We all voted on it. The girls haven’t been out of our sight the whole time. We can’t keep them locked up with just us, man. Daisy threatened to have a night out on the town if we didn’t give them a little fun. I figured it was better to have something here than risk them sneaking out.”

“Daisy, you just got here. Do you ever do a damn thing that you’re supposed to?” I turn to her.

She shrugs and sits down next to me, letting her legs dangle in the pool. “Well, I didn’t sneak out. I just said maybe it was a possibility.”

Olivia walks over and sits next to Daisy.

I meet both girls’ eyes. Affection and exasperation fill me. “Why am I the only one taking this seriously?”

Ryder holds up his hand. “I was about to fly to Europe when you asked me to get the girls. I’ve never missed a concert in my life, so no, you aren’t the only one taking this seriously.”

“Really?” Daisy asks. “You missed a concert for us?”

Ryder looks uncomfortable, probably at the hero worship in Daisy’s eyes. “Uh, yeah. A small one.”

I watch the two of them intently. Ryder is a good guy. Hell, a great one. But Daisy had a wicked crush on him that summer she stayed with us. Everyone knew it. I can only pray she’s smarter this time. Ryder thinks of her as an honorary kid sister, as he should. That left her devastated before. I’d hate to see her heartbroken again.

I sigh. “Sebastian, I know this is your place and you get to make the rules, but as long as they stay with you, any party, even if it’s a fucking tea party, needs to be approved by me and Duncan. If we can’t agree to that, then Olivia, Daisy, and I need to go somewhere else. I don’t want to leave, but I have to know everyone is safe until the stalker is caught. It’s your call.”

“Nah, no need to bail. The girls are safest here. Anyway, my agent’s on my shit to live clean and get back into shape for my next movie,” Sebastian says.

Daisy frowns. “Hey, I think you’re all forgetting that Olivia’s the only one who needs security, not me. I haven’t been in any tabloids, and no one is threatening me. I’m just here to support my friend. Well, that and the free trip to LA.”

“I don’t want to be any trouble, guys,” Olivia protests. “This is all really unnecessary.”

“I think you need this, bro.” Sebastian leans over to the large ice bucket, pulls out a beer, and throws it at me.

I catch it and only debate for a second before popping it open and taking a long drink.

“So, any updates?” Olivia asks hesitantly.

“I have good news, which is why you’re all still alive after this party stunt.”

“Gathering,” Sebastian corrects.

Ryder slaps the back of Sebastian’s head.

“Ow!” Sebastian rubs the spot and shoots Ryder a look of outrage. “What the hell?”

“Just keeping you from having Chase kick your ass, idiot.”

“You have news?” Olivia prompts again.

“We have evidence linking the notes to a specific fan we’ve been keeping an eye on, based on the handwriting and the profile. And her family lives in San Francisco, so she could have gotten to you easily. If we’re right, she thinks I’m her husband, and she hates any woman I’m associated with. She’s done something similar before. Sending threatening letters. Not arson,” I clarify.

“Man, is it the chick who lost it with that girl you dated?” Sebastian asks.

I nod grimly. “That’s the one.”

“What happened?” Daisy asks.

“I went on one date with an actress I knew. She started receiving similar letters at her home. At first, it was just regular fandom crap. Then the letters started to get more unhinged, and someone broke into her house. They slashed up her bed. The investigators I hired analyzed the notes, and hers are almost identical to the one you received.”

“Why isn’t the stalker in jail?” Olivia asked.

“The cops messed up the evidence, and the whole case fell apart. The PR team didn’t want drama in the tabloids, so we let it go, provided the fan received psychiatric treatment. It seemed like she was better until now.”

“I thought this was good news,” Daisy says.

“The good news is that she’s nowhere near here, and we have her under twenty-four-hour surveillance. I’ll keep you safe, and I’ll do everything I can to keep the tabloids off your trail. I promise, Olivia. This is all my fault, but I’m going to make it right.” Our eyes lock and hold. Her gray eyes are the color of storm clouds in the low light of the poolside.

Daisy clears her throat. “Well, this has been fun, but I’m getting cold. I need to grab a towel.” She hops up and looks pointedly at Sebastian and Ryder.

Ryder takes the hint and pushes himself out of the pool. “I need something more than beer. Gonna hit the kitchen. Sebastian?”

“I don’t wanna go to the kitchen.”

Ryder slaps Sebastian again.