Page 199 of The Owner's Temptation

“Lorenzo’s gone dark?” Jaxon asks, already unwrapping his fists.

I nod. “His properties are cold. Phones dead. Staff turned over. No confirmed sightings in two days.

“We can’t even get eyes on his wife and kid.” Kill adds.

“Coward.” My voice is low, dangerous.

“He knows he’s running out of options,” Killian replies. “He’s hiding because he’s afraid of what you’ll do next.”

I know Lorenzo. He’s not afraid.

After he invaded my club, shot up my guys, he knows I’ll be looking for him. He’s laying low to stay alive long enough to make his next move.

I step out of the ring and grab my water bottle, chugging half of it before tossing it back onto the bench.

“This is going to end,” I say. “I’m done letting his mess bleed into mine.”

Killian’s jaw tics. “What do you want to do?”

“I’ll handle things the old fashion way.” I dry my face with a towel and toss it aside. “Just me and him. We settle it in blood.”

“Old school.” Jaxon lets out a low whistle. “You’re serious.”

“Dead serious.”

Jax and Kill fall into a conversation about The Godfather movies and I find myself looking toward the windows. It’s late morning. Sunlight slants through the glass in gold ribbons across the floor.

And all I can think about is her.

I wonder if she’s still taking time off. If she’s lounging in that small apartment of hers, pretending not to miss me.

Pretending she’s not checking the door every time footsteps echo in the hall. Waiting for me to barge in, throw her over my shoulder, and tell her I was wrong.

Because that’s what I want to do.

Every second since I left her, I’ve wanted to go back. Wrap her in my arms. Apologize for every lie I told to protect her. Tell her the truth—that she’s not just a Companion. Not just a trainee.

She’s mine.

But I can’t go to her yet.

Not until Lorenzo is handled.

WhenI walk away from this, when Lorenzo’s body is cold in the dirt, and this blood war is finally over...

Then I’m going to her.

And I’m not leaving without her.

Killian suddenly jolts upright. “Yes!”

I freeze mid-wrap on my wrist tape. “What did you find?”

“Uh…” He blinks, sheepish. “Nothing. Eve’s on her way over. Said she’s bringing breakfast. Coffee. And cheesecake.”

Jaxon’s head snaps up like a dog hearing the wordtreat. “I love free food.”

I narrow my eyes. “You have more money than God. Why do you get excited about free food?”

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