Page 77 of The Fox

“You will walk out of there,kochanie.”

“I know.”

He shakes his head before placing a quick peck on my nose and returning to his seat.

“Good. Now that we have that all settled—again, let’s talk about something more pleasant! How was your anniversary?” I look at Parker quickly before pinning Duncan with my stare.

Duncan’s eyes dart away from mine as he answers. “It was fine, nothing too crazy.” I glance at my best friend, noticing how quiet she is. Parker hasn’t taken her gaze off her coffee, and is now noticeably less engaged in the conversation. She starts to reach for her necklace, but stops herself.

“Did you guys go for dinner?” I shift my eyes between them both. “I know Parker was talking about that new Indian place uptown.”

“No,” Parker’s answer is soft, wounded. “We stayed in.” Parker doesn’t look up and I decide to change the conversation to something mundane in hopes of distracting her. We talk for a little bit longer before Duncan says they should get going. As I walk Parker out, I hug her tightly.

“I don’t know what’s going on with you and Duncan, but I’m here, okay? I am here.” Her arms tighten around me, and when she pulls back, there is a sad smile on her face.

“I’ll be alright. Good luck tomorrow, and I will see you for dinner this week, yeah?” I nod, watching as she jogs to the car. Turning on my heel, I gently close the door behind me. I release a sigh, finding Rhodes leaning against the wall, his thumb rubbing against his lip before his hand runs down his jaw. He pushes off, stalking toward me, and he stops just short. “Well, that went so well.”

A dark chuckle comes from Rhodes, and his hand reaches for mine, pulling me back into the house. He leads us to the island once more, setting me on the countertop and standing between my legs. I place my arms on his shoulders, lacing my fingers behind his head. I let my eyes fall closed and I feel the way his nose grazes mine, the movement bringing a shy smile to my lips. It has been a rough twenty four hours and I just want this to all be over. It feels like I am trying to find my way through an impossible darkness where, at every turn, there is a new trap. I am tired of having to be The Fox, of having to continuously prove my worth. I slowly blink, taking in the man before me. He let me brand him. He has held me while I’ve broken. Rhodes never once walked away, and the thought of forever in his arms is all the motivation I need to be the one who walks out of that warehouse tomorrow, no matter what.

“How’s your brand?” I see the bandage through his shirt, the raised area giving away to what lies beneath.

His face pulls back so I can see him fully. “It hurts like a bitch, but it’ll be alright, kochanie.” I hum, unsure what to say as he continues. “Where is your head at, hmm?”

I lean back on my hands, reveling in Rhodes running his large palms along my bare thighs. I barely had the time to throw on one of his shirts from the clothes hamper this morning, so I’m wearing an old pair of bike shorts since that’s what my hands landed on when Parker barreled her way through my door this morning. Letting my head fall back, I consider his question.

“I have this.”

“I know you do.”

“Then why does it feel like this?” I cannot put into words how my stomach is knotted. I feel like I am walking a tightrope with no safety net. Rhodes tightens his grip on my knees and I hear the deep breath he takes before answering me.

“I trust you, Amelia Conte. I know that you will come back home to me tomorrow. This truth is settled into my bones. What I don’t trust is everyone else. I don’t trust Duncan. I don’t trust Medina. You and I both know that the second you enter that building, you are alone.”

Rhodes interrupts before I can respond. “Do you really expect him to not try something?”

I sigh. “I don’t. Honestly, I would be disappointed if he behaved.” I want Medina to try to pull something. I would love nothing more than to have a reason to slice the man’s skin and flay him open. I bring my head back center and find Rhodes staring at me, awe twinkling in those blue eyes.

Medina will not get his hands on Parker, on Rhodes. No. I will die killing him before Medina touches those I love.

I thread my fingers through that thick hair twisted atop Rhodes’ head, pulling him up so I can kiss him. His lips meet mine and I soften, deepening the kiss, teasing his tongue with mine. Rhodes moans and I wrap my legs around him, locking my legs at the small of his back. I yank his body to mine, wanting his skin against me. His rough hands skirt up over my hips and slip under the oversized shirt I’m in. I gasp the instant his palms reach my ribs, slipping beneath the band of my bralette. He cups me, taking the full weight of my breasts and teasing my nipples. His thumbs brush the hardened peaks, eliciting a groan from my mouth.

“What do you want, Amelia?” Rhodes’ voice is thick with grave, and I know there is a heat in those eyes that I would find solace in. But tonight? Tonight I want to soak every last moment I can with him, to be slow, and intentional, and justbe.

“Um, can we just chill? Like, put on the coziest clothes and curl up under the blankets?” I see his smirk grow at my request. “Please?”

“Yeah, baby. We can do that.” His lips are soft on mine, the lightest touch from them, and it makes me melt. “Let me clean up here. You go get comfortable in our room, okay,kochanie?”

I slip off the counter, nodding as I duck under his arm. I move past him and I feel his palm make contact with my ass, and I shriek, laughter bubbling from my throat.

“Go, before I change my mind.”

I scurry away, love filling my head instead of dread.

CHAPTER 54

Rhodes---Recon

I wait for the bedroom door to close before I call Duncan. Drumming my fingers on the edge of the kitchen sink, I wait for him to pick up. There is a feeling in my gut I cannot shake. I know Amelia said she isn’t worried about Medina pulling a fast one on her, but I can’t help it. I need to keep her safe.

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