Page 75 of Possession

“It’s a relatively new set-up. I’m in the beta program. Max Chapel is a genius when it comes to finding ways to improve security.”

I frowned. I knew that name. We—he—did a lot of business with Chapel Enterprises. I usually had to send them a weekly invoice.

I tried to bring the information up in my well-stuffed memory banks. As antisocial as Blake was, he was extremely successful at building his brand and his repertoire of associates and clients.

“Filament,” I said quietly.

“Correct. One of the places it is being tested is in the vestibule.”

I swallowed. The vestibule that we’d been intimate in that first time.

I tried not to think about the fact that the entire security team probably saw my body.

Blake came over to me. He’d slipped on a pale blue dress shirt over his smooth skin, but it was still unbuttoned. He cupped my face. “No one saw us.”

I flushed and looked away. Relief threatened to drown me. I couldn’t speak.

He’d protected me. Again.

Just when I was ready to write him off as a world-class asshole—and after last night’s stalking revelations, I’d been sorely tempted—he did things like this that made me rethink every-damn-thing.

I forced myself to meet his gaze. “How does it work?”

“The filaments are in the frame of my glass in that particular set-up. Same as in this house, and at Annabelle’s house. The systems aren’t fully operational yet, but close.”

“So, no one would know.”

“If anyone knows me, they are aware of my penchant for security, but no, it’s not obvious. However, I have placed some cameras in certain areas to throw people off. The police in the Cove and Marblehead are beyond useless. They don’t want to believe the break-ins were anything other than a home invasion or a prank.”

I sighed and stepped out of his hold. “We know it wasn’t. Not when they were so focused on finding something in the bookcases. Obviously, they were looking for something small.”

He caught my hand. “The drive.”

I looked up at him. “It’s the only thing that makes sense.”

“Which is why I will not risk you, Ms. Copeland.”

I squeezed his fingers. “I’m a big girl?—”

“No.” The fierceness in his eyes gave me pause. And seriously tight nipples. What was it about that side of him that woke everything up inside me?

High-handed possessive guys had never been my thing.

Until him.

“Whomever frightened Annabelle had to know she had some sort of information. And obviously, they want said information. So, you’re officially on lockdown.”

I bristled. He wanted me to. The tic in his jaw and stony glare spoke volumes. What did it say about us that we were always a little better when we were on edge?

How could I love a man who never allowed me restful moments?

Even worse, how could I love someone who lied to me at every turn?

Could I even call that love?

Complete trust was number one on the checkmark guide to love and forever. Of course, our list had been edited so many times it didn’t even resemble the first one.

Starting with a picture of a boy who barely dented my memory banks even though the proof was in technicolor for me to pore over.

---