Page 4 of Blinded By Loyalty

Not when I knew I could never have her.

“Will, what the fuck is going on?” I asked.

York was waving guests inside and talking on his Bluetooth. Somewhere there was a threat. I was pissed as hell, not knowing where it was coming from. Judging by the deep creases on York’s face, he also didn’t know what the fuck was going on. He was merely trying to get the guests inside to assess the situation once everyone was safe.

“Here.” Will handed me a phone. “It’s Simone’s. Someone’s been following her. They were watching her minutes ago on the veranda. Look at the last photo.”

“Babe, let me set you down. You’re okay. You’re safe.”

“No.” Her arm went around my neck. “Please. Don’t let go.”

Shit. What was I to do?

Well, the only thing I could do for now. I sat on the couch with Simone in my lap as I checked out her phone.

I scrolled through dozens of pictures of her. Christ, this person had been everywhere, watching Simone from afar. Fury flooded my veins. I heaved air into my lungs, trying to calm the murderous feelings taking root inside me. Simone must have sensed my ire. Her body shook against mine, her grip around my neck tightening.

There weren’t any pictures from inside her apartment. I had never removed the cameras I’d installed or told anyone about them, least of all her. Even though I’d been gone, I continued to monitor her. Just to be sure she was safe and for my own sick perversions, because I fucking cared about her and missed the shit out of her.

Nonetheless, if anyone had been in her home, I would have noticed something.

“Simone, I need to ask you a couple of questions, okay?”

She nodded, keeping her face buried in my neck. Her warm breath made gooseflesh break out on my arms. I fought the shiver spearing down my spine. This was not the time to get aroused.

“The picture inside the dressing room… What store was it in?” Most of the pictures were taken in public places. Anyone could have taken them, but it wouldn’t be as easy to get photos of her in a secure room while trying on clothes.

“A boutique in Malibu,” she whispered.

“Which one?”

“Malibu Blu Couture on Pacific Coast Highway. I haven’t been there in months.”

“When was the last time?”

She sniffled and I felt her tears dampen my neck. “The day after you came to my place back in November.”

Why did she seem more upset now?

“Did anything appear out of the ordinary while you were there? Did you notice anyone watching you? Think hard.”

She shook her head. “I don’t remember.”

“And you haven’t been back there since?”

“No. I haven’t been shopping since then.”

I found that difficult to believe. Simone had spent a crap ton of money on clothes every month before I’d left town.

“Why not? You love to shop.” It really didn’t matter why she’d stopped. I was just curious.

“Because I had no one to dress up for anymore.” Her voice trembled as her lips grazed the skin on my neck. “You were gone.”

I rubbed her back in further disbelief, breathing in her delicate perfume. If I didn’t get her off me, and fast, everyone would see how much I cared about her. Not only that, but she wouldfeelhow much I wanted her with her ass pressing against my crotch.

And I couldn’t let her know or I’d totally be screwed, especially now after she boldly admitted to dressing for me. Me. How had I not noticed it? Probably because she never acted the least bit interested in me.

“Is she okay?” Claire asked.

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