Page 28 of Fiercely Protective

“I won’t tell her anything about you. She doesn’t need to know that I am being held against my will by a crazy psychopath or that I was dumb enough to sleep with you. I wouldn’t want her to get hurt trying to get me out of this mess.”

“Do you really think I would hurt your friend?”

She shrugged her shoulders. “I heard enough of the conversation between you and the guy that was here earlier that I wouldn’t want to take the chance. You already told me the kind of man that you are, and I can only imagine the things you do. You are claiming that you will never let me leave and don’t seem to think anything is wrong with keeping me captive. I don’t want my one friend in this whole world to get hurt simply because I decided to try and get a job at your club. Believe me, if I could, I would turn back the clock and stay far away from you.”

The speed at which I moved surprised her. I wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her into my chest. “You don’t mean that. Lie to yourself all you want, but not to me. You wanted me to fuck you, I could see it in your eyes and when I make you cum on my tongue the sounds from your lips are notof pain or torture; they are pure pleasure. I told you before that I will not hurt you. You must learn to trust me. Call your friend, she will be safe.”

Bri

My whole body was trembling, and I felt like I was on a roller coaster ride of conflicted emotions. I was mad at myself because I knew he was speaking the truth. I had wanted him, but I was also afraid. Could he seriously mean that he would never let me leave or was this just another game he was playing, and why was the thought not nearly as terrifying as it should be? Right now, I couldn’t think of that. He had given me my phone and I needed to talk to Allison. I meant what I had said about not telling her everything that was going on; I wouldn’t want her to be involved. I walked into the kitchen, wanting some privacy, and looked back over my shoulder to see if he had followed me before dialing Allison’s number. She picked up on the first ring.

“Where the hell have you been, Bri? I have been worried sick.” Her voice was filled with worry and concern, and I felt terrible for putting her through this.

I kept my voice low. “I know, I know, I’m sorry. Things have been really…hectic lately.”

“Did you get the job?”

“It’s complicated, but I wanted to let you know that I am alright and I’m sorry for not calling sooner.”

“You need to leave Chicago, Bri, as soon as possible.”

An involuntary shiver ran up my spine at the urgency in her voice. “Why?”

She hesitated. “He knows where you are, Bri. Tony came to my house and told me that he was aware that I was in contact with you and wanted me to deliver a message. He said he is coming for you and that you better be ready.”

My stomach clenched tighter as fear swept over me and I gripped the counter to steady myself. The ringing in my ears grew louder, creating a piercing pain behind my eyes as my heart beat faster. I felt as if I would be sick.

“Bri? Did you hear me? You have got to leave now! He is probably already there, and it gets worse.”

The urgency in her voice brought me out of my stupor. I closed my eyes and found my voice. “How can it be worse?”

“He told me that he knows people, that he has connections, and from the sound of it, they are not the kind of men you want to find you. I’m scared for you, Bri. He put you in the hospital before and I’m afraid it will be much worse if he catches you now.”

I swallowed hard. “I can’t leave Chicago just yet.”

“If you need money, I will wire it to you. You can come back here, or you can go stay with my brother in California. He is ex-military so he can keep you safe.”

I felt my hands start to shake. “I can’t. I told you that things were complicated but I…I will think of something, but I just can’t leave.”

“Is it the new job? For God’s sake, this is your life. Tell your new boss to take his two weeks’ notice and shove it up his ass. Do I need to come there?”

“No! No, I will handle it. Things are complex, but I will call you again in a day or so. Don’t worry, Allison.”

I didn’t wait to hear another argument. I hung up and placed the phone on the marble island before rushing to the sink. I turned on the faucet and ran some cold water over my hands before pressing them to my cheeks. Hearing that Tony had discovered where I was and was coming to find me made me cringe. Now, not only was I being held hostage by a rich but incredibly sexy badass, but I had a psycho stalker trying to find me. How in the hell did I get mixed up in something like this and more importantly, how would I survive it?

I heard Rogue’s footsteps growing closer, and I realized that for the time being, living here and being close to him might be the safest place for me.

I could feel his presence standing behind me, but he had yet to touch me.

“I just need a minute and then we can leave.” I tried to whirl around him, hoping to get to the bathroom and freshen up before he noticed anything was wrong, but I wasn’t that lucky. His hand shot out and gripped my arm to stop me.

“Who are you running from, Angel?”

I sucked in a short breath. “You listened to my conversation? Did you not just say a few minutes ago that listening behind doors could be a hazardous and unattractive habit?” I tried to pull out of his grip again, but he held me firm.

“Don’t try to turn this around. Never lie to me, Bri. Your face is too easy to read, and I will always be able to tell when you aren’t being truthful. Now, tell me, what, or who are you so afraid of? Your face is pale, and you are still shaking, so I will ask again, who are you running from?”

I sighed heavily in desperation. “This isn’t any of your business, but there was a man I met in Colorado where I lived before moving to Chicago.”

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