"Y-yes, sir."

I allow some space between us, giving him a chance to alter the course of his future.

He chooses the right path, taking the device into his palm, pushing a sequence of buttons, and handing it to Faith.

"That'll be seven hundred fifty thousand one hundred forty-eight dollars and seventy-five cents." She lays the thing on the counter while hiding a grin.

I tap my black Amex, my phone ringing a second later. "Hello?"

"Mr. Sin, this is Gretchen from American Express calling. We flagged potential suspicious activity on your account."

I cut her off. "That's me. I'm purchasing a gift for a friend. Approve the purchase, please."

Typing on a keyboard comes through the speaker. "I have approved your purchase. Thank you, and have a great day, Mr. Sin."

The line disconnects and the card reader dings, alerting us to the transaction going through.

I focus on the man again while reaching for my bag. "And stop standing so close to her. It's making us both uncomfortable." I leave the store, shoving everything into one arm to bring my phone back out to check London's whereabouts.

Her location pings at the bakery still, giving me a little more time for one more task.

Chapter 29

London

Ipace the confines of my brand-new apartment, stewing in a plethora of emotions and thoughts I'm not sure what to do with. I got home from work late, never turning the lights on for long enough to see anything, plopping down into the bed Camille left behind.

It wasn't until I woke up this morning, the light of day spilling in that I saw someone had broken into my apartment and left me presents.

There was no note, not a single word giving away the culprit, but I know exactly who it was—my stalker, the man I love to hate…Archer Sin.

I huff, mumbling under my breath and considering my options. I could pile everything up and leave it on his doorstep, bang on his door, and throw it all inside, or I could keep them, not acknowledging his generosity at all. Each one has its pros and cons, and not even one of them makes me any less angry that he continues to violate my privacy.

He knew I wanted that dress, the one I saw when I went shopping the first main day I was here.

He knew I told Grace yesterday that I didn't have anything to wear.

I open the garment bag, tracing my fingers along the delicate fabric, sighing at how fucking beautiful the dress is up close and personal. Popping the top of each jewelry box, I gasp at how shiny and expensive they look.

I drag out my phone, doing a quick internet search, my mouth dropping at the price tags.

Did Archer spend over six hundred thousand dollars on someone he can't stand? Someone he claims he wants nothing to do with. Someone he threw out of his apartment because he couldn't be bothered to hear their side of the story.

Pushing a button, I dial Grace, because I can't be responsible for making this decision on my own.

It rings twice before she answers, her voice the sound of angels."Hey, babe. What's up?"

"I need you to come over,right now. It's an emergency." Okay, maybe I'm being dramatic,butit feels like an emergency of some sort. "I'm not, like, dying or anything."

Grace laughs. "I was just grabbing coffee. I'm next in line, want something?"

"This calls for something stronger than coffee."

"Got it. Getting out of line now. I'll pick up a bottle of wine on the way over. Give me five."

We hang up and I stare at the boxes until a soft knock hits my front door. I peer through the peephole to find Grace on the other end, two bottles of wine in her grasp.

I open the door and all but drag her inside. "I need your help."