Page 52 of Temptation and Tyranny

Chapter Eighteen

Cooper

The second I saw the number from the head of my security team pop up, a cold sweat came over me.

Allegra. Was she hurt? Had someone managed to get to her?

“What is it?” I barked, already on edge.

“We have a situation here, sir. We’re at Miss Prescott’s place of employment, and there’s a man with her.”

“Then do something! Don’t waste time, get her to safety!” I couldn’t believe the pitch of my voice, the fear that choked my words.

“It’s not necessarily a person of interest. It’s…well, it looks like she has an admirer.”

Anger replaced the fear nearly instantly. I felt my face turn red, my own heartbeat thumping in my ears. “Who is he?” I snarled.

“Some German kid. We’re running him through our database right now, but the facial recognition software takes—”

“There’s no need. I’m on my way.” I grabbed my keys from the desk in my office at the warehouse, then walked to my car as quickly as my leg would allow. It seemed as if the progress I’d made in my recovery wasundermined by Allegra’s swift kick from the day before. But I was glad she had defended herself.

The engine of my car roared to life, and I raced down the street to Allegra’s office. Thankfully, I wasn’t at our coastal warehouse today. Clenching the steering wheel, my knuckles turned pale and my teeth ground together. How dare that puny asshole make a move on her! After I took care of her, and he ran away like a pussy? Then he had the nerve to show up at her work? Fucking stalker. I was going to throttle that boy.

I didn’t even bother to park my car. I pulled right in front of the clinic, blocking traffic. One of my men saw me approach and was at my car door in a second. I tossed him my keys, barely glancing in his direction. Storming into the clinic, I took in the scene before me. Allegra was standing in the waiting room, which was empty except for the receptionist, who I recognized from the charity ball, and the kid who was about to get his ass kicked for trying to make a move on my woman. He held a pathetic bunch of flowers in his hand, some cheap, generic bouquet he probably picked up from a grocery store. Allegra deserved orchids and lilies, nothing but the best.

Her mouth dropped the second she saw me, and she started sputtering.

“Allegra,” I growled, my tone commanding and threatening. The boy finally turned, aware of my presence. If I hadn’t been so furious, I would have laughed at his reaction. The second he saw me he knew that he was no match for me, and when Allegra’s expression shifted to one of desire, her mouth parting, he knew she already belonged to me.

“Cooper, this is—”

“I don’t care who the fuck he is. He’s leaving.” I opened the door and motioned. The kid took one look at me and practically ran through the door, taking his shitty flowers with him.

“Please, this is my work. Don’t create a scene—”

The look on the receptionist’s face told me that I had already created a ton of drama.

“You better come with me, then,” I responded, my teeth gnashing together.

For a second, I thought she might refuse me, and my blood pressure rose. But she looked at me, sighed, then nodded her head briefly. “Just let me get my purse—”

“There’s no need,” I said, then I grabbed her hand, tugging her through the door to the clinic, no doubt leaving the receptionist full of questions.

“You can let go of me, Cooper,” she said, trying to pull away.

“Nope, not until we have a little discussion.” I glanced around the street, looking for my car. One of my men had parked it and was waiting by the driver’s side door. As I approached, he retreated, most likely sensing my hostile mood and wanting to get out of the way as soon as possible. The keys were already in the ignition, but I walked over to the passenger side door and opened it, staring hard at Allegra until she climbed in. Smirking, I went back to the driver’s side and revved the engine before pulling away from the curb like a race car driver.

“Jesus Cooper, there’s no need to drive like a crazy person—”

“I am a crazy person. You make me crazy,” I growled, already irritated. “I should lock you up. Ishould kill that kid. You’re mine, Allegra. Mine. If I have to, I’ll take you back to my home and claim you over and over again so you don’t forget just who you belong to.”

Her mouth dropped, and I knew I stunned her silent.

Just what I wanted.

I drove a few blocks to a hotel that Steele owned. I’d stayed there many nights while my city home had been renovated, so the desk staff knew me well.

“What are we doing here?” Allegra hissed, her face filled with alarm.

---