Page 51 of Nowhere to Run

She watched me, suspicion flickering in her gaze. “What was that about?”

“Just work stuff,” I said, keeping my tone light. She didn’t need to know. Not yet.

“Your personal training clients?” She pressed, her head tilting slightly.

“Yes. Exactly,” I smiled, letting my gaze drag lazily over her body. “Speaking of that… When are you starting your plan?”

She rolled her eyes. “Fine, I’ll try your damn workout plan,” she muttered, exasperated. “If you’ll just tell mewhy.”

I smirked, running my fingers along her soft curves. “I’d rather you be surprised.”

She didn’t need to know my full intentions yet. My fingers traced the curve of her body, gliding over the soft swell of her breast, dipping in to her waist, rounding out to her hips. She was perfect. And I wasn’t about to let her lose those curves while she was training hard. I’d make sure we struck the right balance.

She huffed, throwing me a look. “Always keeping me on my toes.”

I winked as I rose from the bed, pulling on my clothes.

“You relax now,” I told her. “I’ll make us dinner.”

Her face softened, sinking deeper into the bed like that was all she’d wanted to hear. I chuckled under my breath. She’d had a long day. The chase through the woods, me taking her right there in the wild. My cock twitched at the memory. Then taking everything, pushing her past every limit.

Fuck, I was hard again. I wondered how many times could I come in one day. Would she let me have her again after we ate?

Leaning down, I pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead, lingering for just a second longer than I meant to. “Get some rest, baby,” I murmured, as a flicker of something unfamiliar tugged at me. Her eyes met mine, exhausted, wary, full of questions.What is it?I almost asked. But instead, I offered her a smile and forced myself to step away.

As I moved into the hallway, something settled deep in my chest. Certainty. She was mine. Not just because I’d taken her, but because I would give her something no one else could. And she’d know it soon enough.

In the quiet of the kitchen, I shut the door carefully, picking up my phone. Dialing Leo.

“I need to dig up some dirt on someone. I’ve only got a first name right now. I’ll need remote access to Scarlett’s phone.”

A pause, then a sigh. “Come on, man, I’m already tracking her whereabouts. Now you need to spy on her messages too?”

I smiled thinking of the tiny microchip hidden inside the rose pendant I’d fastened around Scarlett’s neck. Every move she’d make, I’d know. I could protect her. But I needed to be a few steps ahead. I needed more.

“It’s not enough,” I said. “I need to know who she’s calling. Texting. She’s been seeing this guy, Ryan. Sounds like he might be a problem. Dangerous even.”

“Shit,” Leo swore under his breath.

“So you’ll do it?” I asked, pacing the kitchen.

“Fuck, okay, man. Only for you. Any more details from Victor on the Rothko job?”

“Not yet,” I replied. “I’m heading to the city this weekend. Lining up buyers. Still don’t know who’s getting the Rothko.”

Leo sighed. “Alright. Keep me in the loop.”

I knew he was anxious. So was I. He deserved this job as much as I did. Maybe even more.

“How do you know she’s gonna wear the necklace everyday?” Leo asked, suddenly shifting the subject.

I smiled, pausing while I leaned against the counter, picturing Scarlett’s beautiful face. Her throat, red and raw from my belt, the necklace gleaming at her collarbone. I knew she cherished it. She loved fine jewelry—always had. I remembered the rings she used to wear back in high school, her fingers so delicate as she sketched, twirled a lock of hair, picked at her food in the cafeteria. All the times I watched her, studied her every move.

“I just know,” I said simply.

Leo chuckled. “What a romantic,” he teased. “So you’ve finally got the girl, huh?”

Something swelled in my chest.Finally got the girl.The words should have felt like a victory.

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