Page 228 of By His Rule

But despite not making a sound, he knows.

Reaching out, he pulls me into him.

Pressing my face against his chest, I squeeze my eyes closed and breathe in his manly scent.

“We’ll buy more, Lorelei,” he promises, his lips pressed against the top of my head.

Unable to do anything but agree, I nod.

“Come on. Let’s get out of here.”

With all my fight gone, I allow him to lead me out of my apartment.

After fiddling with the busted lock, he assures me that he’ll call someone to get it fixed.

“What’s wrong?” Jamie asks the second we emerge from the building. I’m still tucked safely under Kian’s arm. I can only imagine how I look.

“Someone broke into Lorelei’s place.”

“What?” he gasps.

“Can you call Thomas? Get him out here to secure it.”

“Yes. Both of you get in. I’ll get it sorted.”

Kian pulls the door open as Jamie gets straight on the phone.

“Who is Thomas?” I whisper once we’re safely inside.

“King’s security guard.”

I nod, accepting his answer.

“What happens now?”

“Now, we get you somewhere safe. You don’t need to worry about anything else. Thomas can deal with it all.”

“The police?”

“He’ll sort everything.”

Confident he’s telling the truth, I allow myself to curl up against him. I shut my eyes, but the only thing I can see is the word “whore” spray-painted across my wall.

Kian pulls his cell out and begins tapping, but I don’t bother looking. He’s probably just canceling his Friday night plans.

By the time we pull up outside his building, I’m too numb and exhausted to really see it.

Sure, it’s fancy and luxurious, but it mostly passes me by. As does the ride to the very top floor of the building.

He lives in the penthouse. Of course he does.

But as numb as I might be, the second we step into his space, everything changes.

I’m instantly hyper-aware of everything. Of his presence, his touch, his space.

I don’t belong here, and I kick myself for not fighting harder for him to take me to Tate’s.

She would have looked after me. Ordered my favorite takeout, made me margaritas, and ensured I had all new hair products by first thing tomorrow. That’s just the kind of friend she is.

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