Page 59 of Exposé

Beep.

Beep. Beep.

The slice of pizza slipped from my fingers, landing with a greasy splat back into the stained box on the kitchen counter, adding to the headache brewing.

She's back.

I turned and glanced at my computer screen.

Meow.

"Go away, Echo." I shooed the orange tabby with the side of my foot and moved towards the desk, bending over with a squint. "What is she doing?"

Ava rushed through her apartment and disappeared into the bathroom.

Is she running away?

I cocked my head toward the screen, her back visible as she dug through her wardrobe, snagged a bedazzled dress, and stripped off her work clothes.

Blood rushed to my cock.

"Guess I'm going out."

Ditching the fur ball at my feet, I turned and opened the double doors to my half walk-in closet, slipped on a pair of black boot-cut jeans with distressed knees, a plain white tee, and my leather jacket, then dropped into my desk chair.

Ava studied herself in the mirror, the dress shimmering as I dumped a couple of aspirin in my hand, tossed them back, and pocketed a few more.

"Where do you think she's going dressed like that?" I crouched and pet his head as I dug my feet into my boots.

Sharp static electricity snapped and crackled along my arm as Echo rubbed against me.

A foreshadowing of the night?

Ava ran her finger beneath her eye, cleaning her makeup with a curt nod to herself, then turned out the bathroom light and ditched her apartment, my eyes following each screen until she opened her car door in the parking lot.

A string of heat hit me in the gut, a slight vibration rolling through my hand, causing it to clench.

Was she going to see someone?

My teeth slid against one another as I spun out of my chair, snagged the matte black motorcycle helmet off the nightstand, tucked my phone into the inside jacket pocket, and left.

Ten miles later of strategic maneuvering with minimal traffic to hide me, I parked my bike along the road, turned out the light, and waited.

Ava stepped out of her car as another woman dressed for a night out approached her with a laugh. Ava looped her arm into the other woman's elbow as I snapped pictures. They turned in my direction and walked towards me along the sidewalk.

Thank you for the easy picture, lady.

I zoomed in on the woman's face, taking three pictures in quick succession. They crossed the street before they hit the shadows concealing me, disappearing between two buildings.

Where are you going, Ava Thatcher?

I studied the mysterious woman's face on my phone's screen.

Run image ID. Details ASAP

After attaching the photos to the message, I slipped my phone back into my jacket pocket and started my motorcycle, thanking the Lord above it didn't have a loud exhaust system. I parked three spaces from her car in the dimmest section of the parking lot, cloaking myself in darkness.

Ping.

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