Page 2 of Stalking His Target

A guy? No way in hell. Not while I’m alive.

“Oh, yeah? Even though I told you I don’twanta guy?” Layla asks, causing me to loosen up ever so slightly.

“Come on!” Tasha whines through the phone. “You want to be a virgin your whole life?”

“If it’s that or date one of these pompous, rich assholes you’re gonna try to set me up with–”

“How do you know he’s a pompous, rich asshole?” Tasha protests. Despite my jealousy and rage, I manage to chuckle as Layla shakes her head and laughs.

“Iknowyou, Tash. We’ve been friends since fourth grade. I know who you’ll pick out for me.”

“And so what? You don’t want a guy who buys you diamond necklaces and tennis bracelets?”

“Gimmie a break, Tasha.”

“Would you shut up and just come out tonight?” Tasha asks. “If you don’t like him, fine. But if you do…”

An image assaults my mind of Layla standing by a man who isn’t me, wearing diamonds around her neck and wrists, smiling because she’s let Tasha talk her into living this kind of life.

“Fine,” Layla replies, grinding sharp pain up my spine. “But only because you asked so nicely.”

No. I cannot let this happen.

I will not.

I’ve got my eyes on you, beautiful. And the time has come to make you mine.

Hands shaking, I mute the girls’ conversation and dial Neal, my station chief. He answers on the first ring. “Yo, got an update for me?”

“It’s time to move in,” I growl, still stroking my dick with my eyes on Layla’s perfect ass.

“You’ve got something to work with? A way to make first contact?”

“There’s no time.” I’m lying to my superior officer. One of the most powerful men in the country. “We need to set up a vanilla sundae.Tonight.”

“Tonight?” I can hear the annoyance in Neal’s voice, but I don’t care. No way in hell I’m letting Layla get anywhere near this guy. “Jesus, nice warning.”

“Can’t be helped. I’ll be on her. I’ll send you a location pin. Just have the boys there.”

Before Neal can protest, I hang up. He may be my boss, but I’m in charge of boots-on-the-ground. Do I have a legitimate reason that relates to the mission for calling in an operation tonight? No. But am I gonna sit by any longer as Layla slips away and out of my reach? Hell no.

With a deep groan, I explode into my hand like a clap of thunder has burst in the sky above. This mission has changed me. I’m breaking protocol, lying to my boss, putting the entire mission at risk. All for the chance of making Layla my wife, my lover, my forever.

I watch her exquisite figure as she moves about her apartment, wiping my sweaty hand on some napkins from the console.

You’re going to be mine, girl.

Nobody else’s.

Mine.

2

LAYLA

A date?I’mgoing on a date?

Why?

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