She closed the door behind him, wishing it had a lock.
The letter.
Had he been stupid enough to leave his threats in writing?
She rushed over to it and opened it quickly.
Her shoulders slouched in disappointment and helplessness.
Of course, he hadn’t been that stupid. There was nothing but a handwritten note about his son, Harrison’s, difficulty making friends. He’d made the threats verbally and covered his butt nicely with a written note.
If she went to the principal, it would be her word against Wentworth’s. And she wasn’t donating millions to the school each year.
Dear God, this was too much. Too scary and infuriating. It almost made her want to just quit her job and run away.
Almost, but no way was she giving the creep that satisfaction.
By the time Eric pulled up in front of the school, she was pretty emotionally drained.
“How was school today?” he asked as she climbed in the car. “Any sign of the stalker parent?”
She bit her lip before admitting, “He dropped by my classroom after school.”
“What?” Eric glanced sharply at her, his gaze tracing her face, clearly checking for signs of violence. “What happened? Did he hurt you?”
Unconsciously, she rubbed her arm where he’d gripped her. There weren’t any marks, but her body still shook with revulsion.
Eric’s gaze homed in on her arm.
“He did. That son of a bitch.” The savageness in Eric’s voice had her wincing.
“No, he didn’t hurt me really.” Her words felt weak, and tears burned the back of her eyes. “He made some threats. Called me a whore again.” She laughed weakly, without humor. “It had a comical villain doing the ‘oh yes, you will be mine’ feel. Like, is this really even happening?”
“Well, that villain is about to get his ass handed to him if I see him.” Eric put the car in park and made to get out.
Before he could open the door, she touched his thigh and shook her head. “Please don’t. He’s likely gone by now. Let’s just go back to my place.”
“We should file a police report.”
“It’s my word against his. He even left a convincing little note about his son to make it look like we were having a harmless conversation. And he was too smart to use a shop to deliver the flowers, so we can’t track him or prove it.”
Eric swore as he started the car and pulled off the school grounds.
The tension and fear eased as he drove them away. Just having Eric here with her and so protective was a balm to her nerves.
“I just can’t figure out why he even took an interest in me. I’d never even met the guy until his son was in my class and we had that parent-teacher conference. And his son, Harry, is just so sweet. Quiet and a little awkward. But seems like a good kid.”
Eric grunted. “You’re gorgeous and smart. It’s not a mystery why he likes you.”
Her cheeks warmed.
There sure was a difference being complimented by a guy you liked and one who gave you the creeps.
“Thank you. But he walked into that first parent-teacher conference as if he were already set to ask me out. We’d never even met before. It’s so crazy.”
“Could he have seen you somewhere before?”
“Maybe. He’s on the board of directors...” A possibility clicked. “I was given an award at the end of last year. He was likely at the event. Maybe he saw me there? It was a bunch of fanfare, and I was called on stage.”