Page 35 of Watch Me

Good question. I’ve been putting that decision off. This is my year to win; I can’t imagine forfeiting. But… “If we don’t succeed in flushing this blackmailer out, I won’t have a choice. I like Kristoff. He’s so talented. He’s got great work ethic?—”

“But you have no problem leaving him behind?”

“It’s business.”

“And you won’t let anything or anyone stand in your way, will you?”

His soft question nearly crushes me with guilt. I shove the feeling aside. Give up over half my life and the chance to finally reach my dreams? “I can’t.”

16

Alejandro

Ipace in the security room, watching the cameras positioned over Sneak Peek’s front door. I check my watch. Eight forty-five. People are beginning to stream in, in greater numbers than usual for this time of night on a Thursday.

The word about my scene with Shanna is out. Del and I saw to that personally, not using names, of course…but socializing everywhere that it would be special.

The stage is set—if Shanna shows up. Now I worry she won’t. After all, the woman who prides herself on punctuality is fifteen minutes late. Is she trying to make a statement or yank my chain? Or is there some other reason she refuses to come here tonight? What could possibly be more important to her than winning? Not embarrassment or modesty. She’s already survived her first public scene, which is always the most nerve-wracking. But one thing I have noticed? Every time I try to get close to Shanna, she seems increasingly anxious and tense.

Is it possible she fears being close to me more than she fears losing?

“You’re wearing out the carpet,” Del teases.

I shoot him a dark glare. “She’s not coming.”

“She’ll be here. You said yourself the woman is prickly and contrary for the purpose of being such. You admitted that she likes to control her situation, so it can’t have been easy on her when you told her when to show up, what to wear…and nothing about what she could expect.”

All of that is true, yet I have a larger purpose than being a controlling jackass. “I want Shanna to lean on me. I want her to know that she can trust me.”

I want her to see what it feels like for someone to stand by her, even if she isn’t winning.

“You can't force her to figure that out.”

“Normally, I wouldn't try, but with Shanna…” I sigh and stare at the video cameras that show no sign of her arrival. “If I can’t find some way now to encourage her to latch on to me, she’ll slip through my fingers.”

Del shrugs. “Why does it matter? I mean, I agree she will be helpful in finding whoever has violated the club’s rules, but we can flush out the asshole with or without her.”

“She is not business to me; she’s personal.”

“How personal?”

In other words, how deep are my feelings? That question has been plaguing me all day. Shanna is more to me than catching a scumbag blackmailer, more than an amazing lay, more than an intriguing woman. Analyzing how it happened and why is pointless. It is what it is, and I always trust my gut.

“I think I’m in love.”

“That was fast. Less than a week.” Del arches a dark brow.

“Technically, I’ve known her longer. But more time won’t change what I feel, except to make it deeper. She’s strongand vulnerable, smart, adorably stubborn, and in utter need of someone to love. How can I resist?” I flash Del a self-deprecating smile.

“How, indeed? If you intend to resist, figure it out fast. She’s here.”

I whip my gaze up to the bank of cameras and smile.

“Aww. She’s wearing a damn trench coat,” Del grouses.

Laughter bubbles up inside me. “Of course she is.” Her little rebellion. “But I’ll bet she wore what I sent her underneath.”

“I can’t wait for this.” Del rubs his hands together.

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