Page 34 of Unbroken Promises

“That’s not necessary.” Theo’s eyes had narrowed, watching me closely as I responded to Roberts’ scolding. “I’ll take her home. Your guy can follow.” He hangsup the phone before Roberts has a chance to respond, and pockets it, rather than giving it back to me. Grabbing my hand, he pulls the oversized sleeve of his jacket up slightly so he can thread his fingers once more through my own and leads me out of the dark alley and down the street, nodding at the SUV where one of Jay’s men is waiting with watchful eyes, before guiding me over to his truck.

Opening the door, he turns and grabs me by the waist, lifting me into the seat with a swift movement, then leaning over and buckling my seatbelt. Placing a kiss on the corner of my mouth, he mutters against my lips “this isn’t over yet,” before firmly closing the door and rounding to the other side.

Smoothly, he hops into the driver’s side and signals to pull away from the curb into the busy street. The dash illuminates the darkness and I can see from the clock that it is well past midnight. Damn. I had to have been in there for a good thirty minutes, at least. Furtively, I glance over at the man sitting next to me, before I turn to look silently out the window.

“Wanna tell me what you were doing in that club, diavoletta?” His tone is clipped and I would almost swear he was upset with me, whatever the hell for I don’t even know.

My lips flatten as I think back to the events that led me to that moment in the club, the feel of him pressed into me, the heat simmering between our bodies. To all the reasons why I shouldn’t have danced with him like that. And shit, I sure as hellshouldn’t have kissed him like that. But damn, that kiss!

My cheeks flush and the heat stings as I bend my head down, trying to hide my shame and embarrassment, before a thought clicks into place. Snapping my head up once more, I turn to glare at him. “Wanna tellmewhy you appeared at the club tonight, just when I happened to show up there?”

He chuckles, a humorless laugh. “That’s easy, il mio passerotto. I was followingyou.”Throwing a look in my direction that I can’t quite decipher; he quickly redirects his attention to the road once more. “Now, why thehellwere you at the club la mia diavoletta? And dressed likethat.”

I bristle at his words. “Ex-fucking-scuse me? What the hell do you mean by that?” How dare he make a comment about what I am wearing. This is the year 2024, not the goddamn 1800’s. I can wear whatever the hell I damn well please, and he can’t do a fucking thing about it. How dare he insinuate that he has any say in the matter? He better not fucking be insinuating that I had it coming with that drunk asshole who wouldn’t leave me alone.

Theo lets out a frustrated breath, running a hand through his hair in agitation. “I didn’t mean it like that. Jesus. Put away the damn claws, will you? I just meant, you’re in your workout gear. You obviously went home after work but then left abruptly, didn’t bother to change. And the clothes you are wearing aren’t exactly suited for clubbing.”

He shoots me another glance, eyes lingering briefly on my bra which is peeking out through his open jacket, before forcing his gaze reluctantly once more to the street ahead. “Not that I’m complaining.” Hisgrin full of promises, of both sin and pleasure. “And you didn’t meet up with anyone there, so I highly doubt it was a date. So, what’s the deal, Danica? Why were you at the club?”

I just shake my head, refusing to answer. “Please just take me home Theo.”

ChapterThirty-Three

Danica

The cab of the truck is thick with tense silence the remainder of the drive, and when he pulls up to my building, he glares at me as I go to reach for the door handle. With a huff, I slam my back into the well-cushioned seat and cross my arms. I watch in silence, waiting for him to hop out, rounding the front of the truck. And when he reaches the passenger side, he opens the door for me and then reaches up, wrapping his hands around my waist once more and lifting me down to the pavement with surprising gentleness. I want to shoot a snarky reply about how I am perfectly capable of getting in and out of a vehicle by myself, thank you very much, but I bite my tongue. Now isn’t the time.

After following Theo’s truck at a discreet distance, Jay’s man parked behind us, continuing to make us aware of his presence. I still haven’t said anything since Theo’s earlier comments, and he just trails along, following me into the building. For a minute, I hold my breath as we wait at the elevator, wondering if he will follow me upstairs or if he will leave now that I’ve made it safely into the building. As the elevator doors slide open and I step in, I’m surprised by my own relief when Theo moves in next to me. But when Jay’s man catches up to us, giving me a subtle nod as he steps into the elevator on my other side before averting his eyes, my relief is suddenly replaced with. . . disappointment? No, that’s just silly. Why should I feel disappointed about not being left alone with Theo? However, I can’t ignore the sinking feeling that washed over me when Jay’s man and I made eye contact; whenI realized Theo and I would not be alone for the few remaining moments before we reached my apartment.

The soft chime signals we have reached my level and I step out, both men following close behind as I make my way down the hall to my apartment. Coming to a stop before my door, I hesitate as I reach out a hand to grab the handle. Theo just arches his eyebrow, face assessing, and I know I am giving too much away. I know he can sense my fear.

“Well. . . thanks for the ride home. And for. . . seeing me to my door. Goodnight.” Still, I continue to hesitate, unable to bring myself to open the door with Theo just watching, staring at me silently. Jay’s man finally speaks up.

“It’s safe. Roberts’ inside.” He gives a nod in my direction. A silent command for me to proceed.

Taking a deep breath, I finally take the plunge and turn the handle. A knot of apprehension tightens in my chest as the door swings open, and I am greeted by a whole team of people. Finn’s people. Jay’s people. I should feel relief, but I don’t. I inch my way forward. I know what happened at Prism was technically worse, with the amount of vandalism that occurred in a place that is admittedly more of a home to me than my own apartment.

But the fact that whomever it was gotinsidemy home, past my extensive security system, rather than just leaving the ‘gift’ outside the front door like they have in the past? Well, it feels like much more of a violation. I shudder as I self-consciously wrap my arms around myself in a defensive gesture, and Theo steps up behind me, resting his hands firmly on my shoulders, reassuring with his solid presence.

“What happened here?” His words are clipped, barked out in a commanding voice that demands attention.

It’s Roberts who steps up to our little group, eyes roaming over me, assuring himself that I am okay before looking to Theo behind me. “You didn’t tell him?”

I bite my lower lip, unable to speak as I see the team behind him combing every inch of my apartment for signs of whomever broke in earlier and shake my head.

Roberts sighs, his face grim before calling out to a member of his team to bring the “gift” over to our group. A man I have not met before, careful not to leave prints, holds the box in his gloved hands as he brings it over for Theo to look at.

Theo’s expression goes from commanding to concerned in an instant, before a cold hardness washes over his features. “Nope.” He grabs my arm firmly, steering me backwards, towards the door. Calling over his shoulder to Roberts as he leads mecloser to the hall, “I’m taking her to my place. She’s not staying here with shit like this being left for her. Take it up with Finn if you have a problem.”

I open my mouth to protest but he cuts me off before I can get a word out. “No, Danica. You are not fucking arguing with me on this. You arenotstaying here if that fucking psycho can access your apartment and leave shit likethat for you to find. Don’t even bother.”

A quick glance over my shoulder reminds me of exactly what he saw in that box, of the note he had to have seen along with the bloody mess, and my face pales.

Letting out a soft breath, Theo wraps a strong arm around my shoulders as he leads me out of the apartment and back to theelevator.

Chapter Thirty-Four

Danica

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