Page 54 of Kidnapped Forced Mate

“Olivia–”

“Stryder, please,” she pleads again, reaching out a hand to cup my cheek as she stares solemnly into my eyes. “I don’t have time to explain, but you have to leave for now.”

“Are you in trouble?” I frown.

“N-no,” she hesitates with a sigh. “I can handle this. I promise.”

“Come back with me,” I offer, but she shakes her head.

“Not until I’ve done what I came here to do.” She stands on her tiptoes and presses a kiss to my lips. “Now, please, just go. You’ll know where to find me when the time is right.”

I nod unwillingly, gathering my clothes and preparing to leave only because of her insistence. But even when I hover invisibly above the lavish villa, my dragon scales prickle with heightened senses, alerting me that Olivia needs me again. Whatever is going on between her and the other man, she’s in some kind of trouble.

I need to stick around to protect her.

Chapter 22 - Olivia

It’s only when Stryder leaves that I realize my mistake.

I should have asked him to get the message to Hawks, now that Luca is awake and coming down the stairs.

I quickly straighten myself out, pulling my hair over my shoulders to hide the marks Stryder left behind on my skin. I gathered that he didn’t realize what was happening, and believes Luca is my boyfriend.

Not that I’m complaining about the consequences of his beliefs. The passion we just shared against the kitchen wall was beyond my wildest dreams. For now, I can only send a quick text to Hawks using Luca’s cell phone – a text I quickly erase from his history.

“You’re awake, signorina…” Luca observes groggily when he finds me in the kitchen sipping a glass of water at the window.

“My throat was a bit dry,” I say as I turn to him and show him the glass.

“Not from our kiss, I hope,” he muses as he steps forward and places his hands on my waist. A cold shiver courses through me, repulsing me as I gulp. I’d just been reunited with Stryder, and this man’s touch is preposterous right now. I quickly drink the rest of my water to distract myself. I have to play my role smoothly, and now I have to hide the evidence of Stryder as best as I can.

I could have returned to Aurora Island with Stryder, but I have to take care of my work here in the mortal world. No matter how badly I crave Stryder’s touch, I can’t forget that he’d deceived me the first time around. I have to safeguard my life here. After all, it’s not like Stryder has truly apologized for what he’s done.

Even with the tingling between my thighs and his kisses lingering on my lips, I’m not sure if it’s enough to make up for what he did.

Maybe it’s something I’ll consider if he comes back for me. But first, I have to take care of things here. I’ve come too far to let it all surmount to nothing in the end.

***

Two Days Later

Gnawing on my nails, I stare out of the bedroom window, anticipation setting into the pit of my belly.

Today’s the day Luca Mancini will finally be put behind bars. The arms deal that’s about to go down later today will be intercepted by my team of FBI agents, and I’ll finally have the pleasure of placing cuffs around the Italian’s wrists.

It will be a much-needed relief when he can’t ever touch me again. I realize now that I’ll never be able to move on from Stryder Vulkan. Luca’s touch repulses me so much that I found myself throwing up just this morning. It’s not just because he’s the enemy but because he’s not Stryder.

Though I’m glad Stryder hasn’t shown up since our tryst in Luca’s kitchen, a flicker of disappointment still remains, buried deep down where I refuse to deal with it right now. I have to see this through, and this time, Stryder isn’t thwarting our plans.

Time ticks by as I wait for the much-anticipated hour. For a while on Aurora Island, I’d forgotten just how much I enjoyed my work as an FBI agent, losing myself to the broken promises of what being on the island meant for me. My fingers might tingle with the desire to paint again, but my need to execute justice out here is far greater.

Returning to the mortal world only reminded me of the terrors that lurk in the light of day. Ever since I came back, I often wondered why the dragon shifters haven’t done more to prevent some of the horrors unfolding out here. Stryder spoke about the reason for their existence, along with their immortality. So it bugs me that they aren’t stepping in now when the world is going downhill.

I shrug off the imminent need to keep my mind on Stryder and the dragon shifter race, instead focusing on the little I can contribute to a better world. Doing my bit is all that matters now, and I need to keep my head in the game.

I check the time on the clock, plastering a smile on my face when Luca enters the bedroom. He insists that Clara, his in-house cook, will show me around the kitchen. I know he’s trying to distract me from what’s about to happen outside.

By now, my team must be headed for the villa after stopping the Russian mob that was meant to purchase the weapons in Luca’s possession. Our FBI agents will come in, pretending to be Luca’s buyers, and finally put an end to his dealings.

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