Page 54 of The Scout

“Yes,” I cut in. “I did. Can we move on now?”

Sasha gave me a look, but dropped it—for about two seconds.

Then, she arched a perfectly manicured brow, leaned in, and lowered her voice. “Okay, fine. We’ll move on. After you tell me how it was.”

I rolled my eyes. “Seriously?”

“Seriously,” she said, completely unbothered. “I mean, come on, Izzy. Ryker Dane? That man walks around like he knows exactly what he’s doing in bed. And judging by the look on your face, I’m guessing he does.”

A slow heat crept up my neck, but I didn’t deny it. Because how could I?

I sighed, rubbing my temples. “It’s—” I paused, shaking my head, searching for the right words. “It’s like nothing I’ve ever felt before.”

Sasha’s lips curved. “Go on.”

I exhaled, shaking my head, but the memories flashed too easily—the way Ryker had pinned me down, the way he had touched me like he owned every inch of me, the way he had looked at me like I was something sacred and breakable, but only if he allowed it.

I met Sasha’s gaze. “He makes me feel …” I trailed off, pressing my lips together. “Like I’m not even the same person anymore.”

Her teasing expression softened. “That sounds like a bad thing.”

I swallowed. “I don’t know if it is.”

Because maybe I didn’t want to be the same person anymore. Maybe I didn’t want to be the version of myself who played it safe, who made good choices, who avoided dangerous men with even more dangerous hands.

Maybe I wanted this—this feeling of being claimed,wanted, desired in a way that felt more like obsession than attraction.

Maybe I wanted to be his.

Sasha tilted her head, studying me. “Izzy, babe … be careful.”

I scoffed. “A little late for that.”

She let out a breath, shaking her head. “Yeah. I guess it is.”

“Can we move on now?”

“Fine,” she said. “But let’s circle back to the fact that your brother is missing and Ryker is probably involved in whatever the hell is going on.”

I swallowed. “Yeah.”

Sasha exhaled. “Okay. So what’s the plan? What are you going to do?”

I hesitated, shifting on my feet.

She caught it immediately.

“What?” she demanded.

I reached into my purse and pulled out my phone. Then I turned it so she could see the screen.

Sasha’s brows furrowed, but as soon as her eyes landed on the text, she went rigid.

Unknown Number.

You looked good in the pool last night.

Sasha snatched the phone from my hands. “Who the hell is this?”

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