Page 13 of Brutal Ice

“I’ll be there in ten minutes,” Violet broke through his words to say. “Mr. Boudreaux is considering additional donations, and I’d like to speak with him privately about those.”

Well, again, not the official fuck off that he’d wanted, but the jerk was her boss. Maybe she was being tactful.

Micah’s brows beetled. He craned his head to see her around Royal’s form. “Violet?”

“Ten minutes,” she repeated. “I’ll be right outside. And I’ll be perfectly safe with Mr. Boudreaux.”

Micah’s suspicious eyes returned to Royal.

“I do so love the ballet,” Royal murmured. “Just want to see if I’m making my contributions in the right way.”

Micah pulled up a smile. “I’ll be happy to answer any questions you have.”

“Thank you so much.” You prick. Stop cutting your gaze at Violet. And keep your hands off her in the future. “If you’ll excuse us?” He didn’t wait for a response. Royal edged toward the open balcony door. Violet exited first.

And he followed right on her heels.

The ballroom was full of beautiful victims. But he only wanted her.

The red dress had made Violet look as if she were covered in blood. At least, to his eyes. She’d spun and glided on the floor, held too close by the hulking asshole who’d bid too high on the dance with her.

Violet had looked at her partner with fear in her lovely eyes.

These days, she looked at most people that way.

A new change, seeing prey in this light. Knowing that he’d been the one to instill the fear in her. Sweet, somehow. Poignant.

It made Violet different. Special.

Not special enough that she would actually get to escape. Oh, no, never that. But still, her end would be particularly meaningful for him.

You won’t get away. The cops had been watching her. Paying a bit too much attention. So he’d waited. He’d bided his time.

But the cops couldn’t stick close forever. There were other cases. Other crimes. Other victims. Violet wouldn’t be protected forever.

Eventually, she’d go back to her old routine. Her old life.

And when she lowered her guard…

I’ll be here, Violet. Waiting. And we’ll finish what we started.

Chapter Three

He’d come back.

Violet sucked in the fresh air and tipped back her head as she stared up at the starry night. So many stars. They glittered above her and reminded her of another night.

Another place.

The night she’d spent with him. Her mystery hero. The white knight who’d saved her. Kissed her like he was starving for her. Then told her to walk away and never look back. Only…

He’d come back for me.

He stood behind her now. She could feel the heat from his body stretching out to wrap around her. “Royal.” Now she had a name for the shadow that was her savior.

His hand curled around her shoulder and slid down her arm.

A shiver chased over her.

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