Page 72 of Required Surrender

While I could take it to the police, why bother? Even if there were fingerprints, which I doubted, there was no overt threat. They’d laugh at me. Maybe I was overprocessing. Or maybe it was his way of telling me in no uncertain terms I wouldn’t be allowed to remain with Lachlan. Another wave of anger jetted into my bloodstream. If the two men honestly believed I would go along with whatever evil plan they’d created, they were out of their minds.

I left the note where it was, rubbing my arms from the wretched chill. A sickening feeling washed through me as if I was being watched.

As I moved by the oversized window, the view the street below and buildings across the crowded space, something caught my eye. It appeared to be a man standing directly across from my building, staring up at my window. The thought was ridiculous, the distance too far away. Neither I nor the person could see any details, but my stomach tightened as I stood watching him.

Was he the person who’d shoved the note under my door?

I eased to the side, catching my breath. Everything about this bothered me.

The entire time I stood at the window, he didn’t move.

“Get a grip. He’s just waiting for something or someone.” Laughing to myself, I headed to my bedroom to change, yanking out several pieces of clothing until I found the right attire. I did my best to shove the concern aside, even though it continually yanked at every synapse in my brain.

I closed my eyes, forcing myself to breath normally. If the note had anything to do with the recent murders, then what I was prepared to do was the only way I’d begin to get answers.

My mind rallied, shoving the hint of fear aside as I concentrated on selecting the best outfit.

The black dress wasn’t too provocative yet hugged my curves in all the right places. It would be perfect for an interview, showing class as well as a hint of seduction.

I threw on a necklace and bracelet, grabbing my highest heels, which would double for the ones I wore hours later. The thought of being on Lachlan’s arm was nice, warmth spreading between my legs. As I glanced in the bathroom mirror, scrutinizing my selection, I automatically pressed my fingers against my lips. The Scottish rogue knew how to kiss, his lips soft yet demanding.

Sighing, I closed my eyes briefly, envisioning his naked body. The night before had been incredible. The way he molded his body around mine had been protective, his arm wrapped around me for hours. I’d sensed he wasn’t sleeping, watching over me as if I would disappear in the middle of the night. The big bad wolf of a man could have his tender moments. Those I enjoyed the most.

Although his commanding ways continued to excite me. I gave myself another hard look. This wasn’t just playing with fire. I’d added gasoline and a Molotov cocktail to the mix.

“What are you doing, little girl?”

My other self couldn’t provide an answer.

As I grabbed a sexy frock for the night’s festivities, I glanced at the bridesmaid dress that had been hanging in my closet for almost two weeks. The little white lie wouldn’t come back and bite me. There was no reason for it to. As long as I gathered information and nothing more. Right?

I flew past the window in the living room to grab my purse then stopped short, backing up to peer out the glass at the street below.

The man was still in the exact same position, nothing more than a statue. Had Davidson been following me? That wouldn’t make sense. He knew I was with Lachlan.

Stop it. You’re overthinking again.

My hackles remained raised, my sixth sense telling me whoever was staring at my window had malintent in mind. Determined to find out who the stranger was, I threw the dress over my arm, grabbed my purse and keys, and headed out to the elevator. The small underground garage was mostly empty, my heels ticking against the concrete creating an eerie sound.

As soon as I got to the car, I had a better view of the person. Maybe my mind was playing tricks, but I was certain it was Ernest Davidson. The thought gave me another wave of creepy sensations coursing through every muscle. I tossed my things onto the passenger seat, checking the time. I had twenty minutes to get to Elite’s Manhattan office. That meant there was no time to spare.

But I had to know if I was right. I moved swiftly to the exit, heading out of the concrete facility to the sidewalk. When I moved to the edge, cars whizzing by, I was more certain than ever the person was watching me. I stared at him intently, trying to decipher details about his attire and anything else. Unfortunately, there were no blatant distinguishing features.

I debated crossing the street, moving to the crosswalk. As the vehicles rolled by, the street crowded with them, I pressed my hand on the button to force the light to change just as two huge trucks careened into the intersection, blocking my view.

When they’d finally rumbled by, I’d narrowed my eyes.

Damn it. Whoever had been standing in the same place for at least twenty minutes had disappeared.

CHAPTER18

Lark

“Ms. Porter will see you now.”

The receptionist was nice, the office as posh as I’d seen even for Manhattan. Elite took up one side of a massive skyscraper, their suite on the top floor. Maybe I’d expected something more clandestine, but the furniture in the reception area alone cost more money than I had invested in every piece inside my apartment plus a few thousand dollars. Even the art on the walls screamed wealth.

As the smartly dressed girl led me down a hallway, I took in everything. There were several offices, a huge conference room, and people milling about as they would in any other corporation. While I’d had limited time to investigate the company itself, they certainly had a decent reputation, their website spectacular. Of course, no details were offered regarding just how far the girls were allowed to go with their clients; I suspected that was entirely up to the woman in charge and the money offered.

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