Page 13 of Billionaire Wolf Needs a Writer

I nodded.“Violet’s not going to stop until she’s ruined me.And now, she’s dragging you into it.”

Ariel’s hand found mine, her fingers lacing through my own.

I looked at her, the determination in her eyes mirroring my own.It scared the shit out of me.

But I didn’t pull away.

The next morning, I found Ariel in the kitchen, already dressed and nursing a cup of coffee.She looked up as I entered.Dark shadows under her eyes revealed that her night had been as restless as mine.“Sleep okay?”

I grunted, pouring myself a cup.“You?”

She shrugged.“Better than expected.Though I did have a dream about being chased by a very angry Rafe in wolf form.”

I set my cup down, studying her.“We need to talk about last night.”

Her smile faded.“The article?”

“That, and Rafe.”I leaned against the counter, crossing my arms.“He’s not going to stop.And neither is Violet.You’re in danger as long as you’re with me.”

Ariel set her mug down with a sharp clink.“So what?You’re just going to fire me?”

“It’s the only way to keep you safe.”

“Bullshit.”She stood, her hands braced on the counter."

“You didn’t sign up for my family’s bullshit, for Rafe breaking into your room, for the media painting you as some kind of—”

“Gold-digging slut?”she finished dryly.“Yeah, I saw the comments section.Real classy stuff.”

I exhaled sharply.“Ariel, this isn’t a joke.”

“I know it’s not.But running isn’t the answer.You’ve spent your whole life running from them.It’s why you hired me, remember?When does it stop?”

The question hung between us, heavy and unanswerable.I turned away.“I don’t know.”

She moved then, closing the distance between us.“It’s time to stop running.”

I looked down at her, at the stubborn set of her jaw and the fire in her eyes.She was infuriatingly reckless.And too foolishly brave for her own good.Yet, right now, she was the only thing that made sense.

“Fine,” I muttered, squeezing her hand.“But we do this my way.”

She rolled her eyes.“Yeah, yeah.Your way or the highway.Got it, boss.”

I scowled, but the corner of my mouth twitched despite myself.“Smartass.”

“Takes one to know one.”She grinned, then sobered.“So, what’s the plan?”

I exhaled, my mind already racing.“First, we make sure you can defend yourself.Rafe won’t hesitate to go for your throat if he gets the chance.”

Ariel paled slightly but nodded.“Okay.Teach me.”

The penthouse gym was spacious and outfitted with top-of-the-line equipment that I rarely used these days.Ariel stood in the center of the mat, her arms crossed as she eyed me warily.“So, what?You’re going to show me how to punch?”

“Among other things.I rolled up my sleeves.”First rule, don’t panic.That’s when you make mistakes."

“Easy for you to say,” she muttered.“You’re basically a walking tank.”

I ignored that, stepping closer.“If someone grabs you, you go for the weak points.Eyes, throat, groin.Nothing is off-limits in a fight for your life.”

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