Page 80 of Hiding for the Holidays
He grins when he sees how breathless I am. He leans forward and whispers in my ear, “Soon, baby.” Then kisses my cheeks so softly I shiver.
“Alright!” Leo says loudly as Asher climbs off the bed. “Get your pretty butt in that shower before you’re late for work.”
I gasp in shock as I glance at the clock. “Oh shoot! We’re gonna be late! Why didn’t you tell me!” Gripping the sheet I climb out of Grant’s lap and wiggle off the bed, pulling the sheet with me.
“I think your bosses are looking for a reason to punish you.”
I stop mid-step and frown, glancing back at him. Leo grins mischievously, then glances at Asher. “What do you think is fair, one spank for every minute she’s late?”
My jaw drops open in shock and he laughs. I turn and run to the bathroom, closing the door behind me as I pant heavily. I’m just not sure if it’s from nerves or excitement. One thing is for sure, I don’t rush my shower.
Chapter 24
Scott
Ipretend to stretch on the mats as I keep my eye on their employee, Jack, in the mirror. Hiring him, those fools had given me the chance I needed to get inside this place. I wasn’t stupid enough to try and break into their home, where they kept her locked up tight with alarms on every entrance.
The thought of their disgusting hands on my property has my blood boiling with rage. Luckily, I had mastered keeping my emotions hidden, and I continue to stretch like I wasn’t preparing to destroy those three pathetic pieces of trash and take back what’s rightfully mine.
It enraged me how long it had taken to find her. Rosalie had surprised me with her intelligence, changing her name and ditching her phone.
My contact on the police force had helped me by running face recognition software on camera feeds he had access to. That’s how I found her the first time at the bus station.
I had lost my temper when she wouldn’t come willingly. I thought when she saw how much effort I’d gone to, to get her back, she’d come willingly into my arms. I’d even planned tofuck her raw in the back of my car, just to remind her who she belonged to. If that nosy couple hadn’t stuck their noses where they didn’t belong, I would be back home right now with Rosalie.
Thanks to my contact, I was led in the direction of the Winter Festival. I didn’t know she’d be there, but I had hoped. She loved all that Christmas stuff, irritatingly so.
After that, I watched them leave and head in the direction of Silent Pines. I lost them on the way, but it was enough to point me to this town.
After asking around, and nobody knowing anyone by the name of Rosalie, I started watching, staying in the shadows and keeping my eyes peeled for any of them. Before I had approached her at the skating rink, I’d gotten a good look at the three Neanderthals she kept for company, so I knew who to watch for.
My luck finally came when I saw one of them exiting a pizza joint on Main Street during lunchtime two days ago. I followed him back here and had been watching her ever since, waiting for a chance to grab her. It was clear the males owned the gym and were keeping her under their watch.
After that, I thought it’d be easy to catch her walking home alone, or going to grab lunch or something, but they never let her out of their sight.
They’re obsessive.
Disgusting.
I’m not obsessed with her. I just know she belongs to me, and I’m willing to do anything to get her back. I’m sure once she’s away from those three men who are brainwashing her with their big muscles and wide smiles, she will come to her senses and remember who really owns her.
And if she still refuses to be with me, I’ll make sure nobody can have her. I refuse to let her live without me.
I scan the gym again to get a good picture of the layout. It’s pretty basic, a wide open space with gym equipment across the front and mats and sparring bags at the back.
I chose this time of day to come in as I’ve been watching closely and know Rosalie and the three men don’t work this late. I knew it’d be quiet and give me the best chance at not being seen. All I had to do was request a free day pass, and I had access to the gym. I didn't even have to show him my ID.Idiot.
My eyes catch on a hallway at the back, and I grin as a plan for how to get her back starts to form.
Deciding I’ve spent enough time here, I head to the exit, eager to get away from the stench of this place. As soon as I step outside, I take a deep breath of the cool winter air and head to my car.
I think back to how she ran from me. I hadn’t expected her to leave. I thought I had done a good job at making her realize she needs me. That I would take care of her.
The first moment I ever saw her, she had stepped into my office looking sad and breathtakingly beautiful. I knew instantly that I had to have her.
And when she spoke, it cemented that fact.
Her voice carried that quiet desperation people get right before they break. It drew me in, made me want to be the one who decided whether she shattered or stayed whole. When she said my name, I knew I owned her completely.
