Page 18 of Wilde and Deadly

Safe.

If only that were true.

She shifted slightly in her seat, her gaze darting to the cab driver. The man was oblivious, humming along to a tinny pop song on the radio. She needed a distraction—something to give her a chance to bolt. Her hand crept toward the strap of her backpack.

Davey’s eyes narrowed. “Don’t even think about it.”

“Think about what?” she asked, aiming for casual innocence.

“Whatever reckless stunt you’re planning. I can see the wheels turning in that devious mind of yours.”

“You’re paranoid, Wilde. I’m just sitting here being perfectly good.”

He scoffed, dark amusement flickering briefly. “Bullshit. You’ve never been a ‘good girl’ a day in your life.”

The words triggered memories she’d buried deep—the heat of last summer at his parents’ Fourth of July barbecue, when he’d held her trapped between his body and the wall of the shed, impaled on his cock, as he told her to be a good girl and not make a sound…

His gaze dropped briefly to her lips, then lower still, tracing the shape of her body with undisguised hunger, his grip on her wrist tightening. His thumb brushed over her pulse as if remembering the feel of her heartbeat beneath his mouth and the desperate way she’d gasped his name.

Yeah. He was definitely thinking about it, too.

Which was exactly the distraction she needed.

With a sudden lurch, Rowan slammed herself against the door, all her weight behind it. It flew open, the cab swerving violently as she tumbled gracelessly onto the pavement. Pain shot through her shoulder, but adrenaline overrode everything. She pushed herself to her feet, running on pure instinct and fear.

“Rowan! Dammit, stop!”

She didn’t dare look back, didn’t dare slow down. The crowded sidewalk swallowed her as she ducked between pedestrians, fear driving her forward. Her heart twisted with guilt and regret, but the need to keep him safe outweighed everything else.

She turned sharply, disappearing into a subway station. The press of bodies swallowed her, offering the anonymity she desperately needed. By the time Davey reached the entrance, she was already lost in the rush-hour chaos, but she suddenly knew two things with startingly clarity:

Every step she took away from Davey only made him more determined to capture her.

And she was running out of places to hide.

five

Davey steppedoff the elevator into the sleek, glass-walled command center of Wilde Security Worldwide, each step sending a sharp ache radiating up from his leg. The adrenaline rush of the chase had faded, leaving only a bitter cocktail of frustration and exhaustion in its wake. He ran a rough hand over his face, suddenly feeling every hour of lost sleep, every dead-end lead, and every maddening encounter with Rowan Bristow.

Damn that woman.

WSW’s top-floor operations room buzzed with activity, agents and analysts exchanging rapid-fire information beneath the cool glow of dozens of screens—satellite imagery, live security feeds, and encrypted data streams. It was cutting-edge tech, the best money could buy, but even all their resources couldn’t pin down one stubbornly evasive woman.

He caught the quick, sideways glances from the team. Sympathy mixed with curiosity. The unspoken question lingered heavy in the air:How the hell had she managed to slip away again?

Luka, waiting near Elliot’s desk, lifted his head at the change in Davey’s scent. As soon as he spotted him, the Malinois rose gracefully to his feet, padding over and pressing his warm, solid weight against Davey’s leg. He let out a low huff, as if sensing his frustration. Davey gave his head a quick rub, grateful for the grounding presence.

“Hey!” Dominic’s too-bright voice sliced through the tense hum, instantly grating on Davey’s frayed nerves. Dom bounded toward him, all restless energy, a coffee mug sloshing precariously in one hand. His dark hair was a tousled mess, and he flashed a grin wide enough to make Davey’s eye twitch.

Luka’s ears perked up, tracking Dom’s movement like he wasn’t sure whether to expect a fight or another game. The dog had long since learned that Dominic’s energy was unpredictable at best.

“Look who’s back from another round of hide-and-seek. You look terrible, big brother.”

Davey gave him a flat, withering look. “Not. Now.”

Dom didn’t miss a beat, practically bouncing alongside him like an overgrown golden retriever. “What happened this time? Rowan drug you again? Steal your dog? Your manhood?”

“Dom, he’s about two seconds from throttling you.” Across the room, Elliot didn’t even glance up from his workstation. “Stop pushing your luck.”

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