“Let me read it.”
“What good will that do?” He snatched it back, returning it to his pocket. “The sentiment was the same as all the others.”
Which meant a slew of insults calling me every disgusting name under the sun while simultaneously confessing their undying love. I knew the person writing the letters was escalating, but the police didn’t care; they practically spewed that I deserved it due to my line of work. As if owning a dating service justified any and all unwelcome advances.
It was certified bullshit.
When I tried to push the issue, showing the authorities a folder of letters and pictures going backyears, they pointed out that, so far, nothing had actually happened so they weren’t threatsexactly. I couldn’t prove I was being followed, the only evidence being the prickle of goosebumps whenever I was out.
Useless. They would only come once a crime was committed, but at that point, it would be too late.
I shut down that line of thinking, containing the full body shiver that threatened to take hold.
The one blessing was that the letters only appeared at the office. They hadn’t made their way to my home… yet. But I knew it was only a matter of time. It would only take one slip up.
“Where are you going to be tonight?” I picked up my phone, shoving it into my dress’s pocket, the only redeeming feature of this entire ridiculous outfit.
Kazi stayed silent as he took me all in, his full lips now curved distinctly downward into a frown. “I wish you wouldn’t let them pick out your clothes. It’s bad enough you meet them on these fakedates.”
I folded my arms across my chest in exasperation. Kazi’s dark eyes tracked the motion, but he remained silent.
I didn’t want to rehash this argument. Our clients were all thoroughly vetted and these “dates” took place in public establishments. I required all potential clients to have one in-person meeting prior to being matched because background checks didn’t exactly work to weed out the assholes. I wanted to ensure all parties that used my services were as protected as I could possibly manage prior to anyactivitiesoccurring.Thus far, we hadn’t run into any issues or complaints, and I planned on keeping it that way.
But if the new clients didn’t want to be seen at my office? That was where the discretion package came into play.
Additionally, if the initial meeting went sideways, I had learned enough self-defense to take care of myself. “Fine, don’t answer my question of whereyou’regoing to be tonight. I need to get going anyways. Tell your cousin to leave me be, unless he’s needed.”
Kazi hummed his agreement, leaning forward, close enough that for a moment, I thought he might just kiss me.
My eyes shut on their own accord in anticipation, but instead, his sturdy hand cupped my cheek softly. My attention found his, he was staring at me with a dark critical intensity, his brow furrowed in concentration.
“Car is waiting for you.” His fingers flexed, the rough digits pushing into my skin.
I leaned further into his touch. It snapped him out of whatever trance he was in, causing him to drop his hold and jump back as if I had shocked him.
I didn’t say anything.I couldn’t. I walked swiftly from my office, leaving Kazi behind, attempting to control my breathing and the static that was shooting across my skin in anticipation. Kazi wasn’t someone I should ever cross the line with, he was the only constant I had in this city. I needed him, no matter what.
At least that’s what I kept telling myself.
I felt his gaze as I made my way to the elevator. Sure enough, when I stepped into it and turned around, he was still standing in my office doorway. His penetrating eyes watched me. It did nothing to quell the building desire that churned in my belly.
My resolve wavered, but then the elevator doors closed.
I stamped down the feeling and shut my eyes to avoid my reflection.
Chapter 3
Kazi
Kazi pulled out his cell phone and made a call. “It’s escalating. He’s going to do something worse soon.”
“Look, I sent you there to watch over her ten years ago. Do your job.”
Kazi growled into the phone, “No, you sent me here to get intel on Izzy. You let me stay when you realized how close they still are. Don’t be an ass, Emilio. Or is it Emil now? Don’t you think infiltrating her investigative team was a bit overkill?”
“I don’t know Kazi, I didn’t realize you would take my directive to watch over her so literally. You weren’t supposed to become her friend, let alone her assistant, you moronic man.”
Kazi didn’t bother to correct Emilio. He wanted to bemorethan Yara’s friend, but it didn’t take much to notice how broken the poor woman was. He was giving her the time she needed to heal. Except after a decade of time he was beginning to suspect she needed more. Another push to make her realize the spectacular woman she was and that he wouldn’t be going anywhere. The problem was Kazi recognized abuse victims, and it didn’t take long for him to realize her trauma was deeper than she let on.