Page 1 of Beautiful Beast

Chapter 1

Adam

Anunwelcomeandridiculouslysexy brunette with curves for days is the last thing I expect as my welcome home present. Not only because I plan to avoid all human contact for at least six months, but also because she’s trespassing.

Rather than fully appreciating the view, my stomach bottoms out and fills with dread.

I can’t let her see me.

There’s a leash in her hand that’s attached to a large brindle boxer, and she’s holding a stack of papers in her other hand. The problem is that she and her furry companion are snooping around my private foyer.

How the hell she got up here, let alone with a dog, is something I’ll pose to Enrique, the building manager. But until raising hell is a viable option, the question remains how to get rid of her without being seen.

She’s spinning in every direction with an awed expression, and when she cranes her neck to look out the skylights, I take the opportunity to fully step through the elevator doors and quickly stride past her.

By the time she calls out a greeting, only my retreating back is visible.

“Excuse me?”

Her voice is soft and throaty like she just left an outdoor music festival where she was singing along for hours. Of course, there are other options – better options – for why her voice could be so tired, but my brain isn’t allowed to go there.

I need to focus on healing my broken body, and that has to be done in private.

“Whatever you’re selling, I don’t want it.” Hoping to discourage further conversation without any additional back and forth, my voice is harsh and abrasive by design.

This particular tone has made men double her size turn on their heels and run.

The front door is now open, and I’m one step closer to entering my penthouse where I can indefinitely lock away the outside world.

I just need her to leave me alone first.

“I’m not selling anything.” Her voice is a lot closer, so she’s not moving in the correct direction.

“Well, whatever you’re doing, you’re not supposed to be doing it here,” I snap. “This is private property.”

The door is inches from being closed behind me when she speaks again.

“I… I’m lost.”

“Clearly. Go back outside where you came from and ask for directions.”

“I’m looking for Annie Alliston’s apartment.”

This girl doesn’t take a hint.

Whatever she was gifted in beauty, she missed out on in brains.

The old me would not only help the beautiful girl but also offer to take her out for dinner and then bring her back to my bed.

That version of me survived Yemen, Nigeria, Ukraine, and Iraq.

But he just died in Syria.

And there’s no bringing him back.

Now, someone is here to disrupt the very delicate balance of my life exactly when I need the interruption the least.

The new iteration of Adam Townsend wants to slam the door in her face. And that’s exactly what I would do if the mention of old Mrs. Alliston didn’t snag my interest.

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