Page 56 of Rogue Villain

My body stiffens when I spot the familiar layout of Prince Charming’s letters, and my heart begins to race. “Ford, there’s something I need your advice on, if you could keep it…between us for now.”

His eyes narrow ever so slightly as he debates his reply. “It will depend on whether it affects your safety or not.”

I take a beat to weigh his words as I rip open one of the letters. The words inside make my decision for me.

My dearest Princess,

I’ve missed seeing you go about your days. I’ve missed watching your smile as you work with artists at the gallery. And spend time with your friends at Oracle.

Once you return home, I’ll ensure you’ll never be forced to leave again.

Counting down the days.

Your Prince Charming

“There—there are emails, too.”

I pass the letter to Ford with a shaky hand, along with the other two I have no desire to read. He skims the words, his face darkening thunderously until he raises electric blue eyes to mine.

“I will handle it. Ping me your email and password, too.”

The sincerity in his gaze helps center me slightly while I do as he’s said, and once he’s received my details, I inhale a less shaky breath. “I’m ready when you are.”

CHAPTER17

VAUGHN

My cell vibrates on the desk, and I grab it eagerly, only too willing to hit pause on combing through potential auction lots. The process is a time-consuming pain in my fucking ass, but there’s not a hope I’d entrust it to anyone else, least of all Lucia.

FORD

She’s back at Rogue. Have some disturbing news.

I roll my eyes at his signature lack of words, dialing him as I curse him out under my breath. He answers with a smile in his voice.

“Three point seven seconds.” He chuckles. “New record.”

I scrunch up my face in a mixture of annoyance and impatience. “Could youbeany more abstruse?”

My brows draw together as a deep belly laugh like I’ve never before heard from Ford fills the line.

“Christ, who are you, and what did you do to my quiet, non-assuming head of security?”

I’m shaking my head when he sobers.

“I guess she’s rubbing off on me, Cactus. In all my years of knowing you, I’ve never seen anyone ruffle your feathers the way Wren Caputo does.”

My eyes roll of their own volition before I deadpan. “I do so love your newfound conversational skills, but do me a favor and skip to the damn point.”

Instantly, Ford’s playful demeanor switches to protector mode, and his voice deepens in genuine concern before his next words send a chill clear through my entire body.

“She’s been receiving correspondence from an unknown entity.” He expels a breath. “It’s been ongoing for overtwoyears, Burton. And from the little I’ve been able to trace thus far, it seems like this person is escalating his behavior.”

Having once upon a time wrongly ignored anonymous threatening letters, combined with the simple fact that I also trust Ford with my life—and hers—I don’t question the legitimacy, instead jumping to the logical question.

“Are you sure the sender is male?”

“Absolutely. There’s no doubt about it.”

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