Page 18 of The Boss's Hideaway Baby

We make our way to the corner and take a sharp turn, slipping into the shadows of a narrow alley. Holding our breath, we wait to see if the two men will follow.

“Maybe we’re just being paranoid,” I whisper, my fingers tightening around Nathan’s hand. “I mean, lots of people walk around at night, right?”

“Right,” he says, but his voice lacks conviction. We both know the odds are against us.

And then, as if to confirm our worst fears, the two men turn the corner and continue to follow us. Their steps are slow and deliberate, their eyes never leaving us.

“Run!” Nathan shouts, pulling me along with him as we sprint down the alley. My heart pounds in my chest, my breaths coming in ragged gasps as we try to put distance between us and our pursuers.

“Where are we going?” I manage to ask between breaths.

“Anywhere but here,” he replies, his grip on my hand unyielding.

“We should call the police,” I say, terrified of what might happen if we can’t outrun these men.

“First, let’s make sure we get away from them. Then we’ll figure out our next move.” His voice is filled with determination, and I find it oddly comforting. At least someone seems confident in this situation.

“Okay,” I say, focusing all of my energy on keeping up with him. Together, we race through the dark streets, praying that we can escape whatever danger is lurking in the shadows behind us.

CHAPTER 7

NATHAN

My heart pounds as Maria and I sprint down the street, the two strange men gaining on us. I can’t believe this is happening — who would dare to kidnap me? It has to be for reward money; I’m well aware of my own wealth. But involving Maria in this mess? That infuriates me even more.

“Quick, take a left here!” I shout over the sound of my ragged breaths.

“Are you sure?” she pants.

“Trust me!”

We make a sharp turn and dart across traffic, narrowly avoiding a taxi that blares its horn at us.

“Sorry!” Maria yells back, her polite nature not quite suppressed even in this high-stress situation.

“Keep moving!” I urge her, glancing back to see if we’ve lost our pursuers. For the moment, it seems we have.

“Over there.” I point to a recessed doorway. “We can hide there.”

We slip into the narrow space, pressed together, chest to chest. The warmth of her body seeps through my shirt, and I can feel her rapid heartbeat. My protective instincts are on high alert, but I can’t deny the intimacy of our position.

“Are you okay?” I ask softly.

“Y–yeah,” she stammers, her breath warm against my neck. “I never thought I’d be in a situation like this… especially with you.”

“Neither did I,” I admit, my voice tinged with anger. “But I won’t let anything happen to you, Maria. I promise.”

“I know you won’t,” she whispers.

As we stand there, hiding from the unknown danger lurking just beyond our temporary sanctuary, my anger grows. How dare these men? Who do they think they are, trying to kidnap me — and put Maria in harm’s way in the process?

The thought of losing her to something so ridiculous is unbearable.

“Once we’re safe,” I say, determination filling me, “we need to figure out who these people are and why they’re after us.”

Peering cautiously from the doorway, I scan the street for any sign of the men. Maria’s warm breath dances across my cheek as she also leans forward, her body still pressed against mine in this confined space. Her scent, a mixture of lavender and citrus, fills my senses. It’s intoxicating, and for a moment, I forget the danger we’re in.

“Looks like they’re gone,” I whisper, my voice betraying the tension that still knots deep within me.

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