Page 27 of Surrender (Angels Halo MC Next Gen)

Mom had made sure of that.

“Don’t pretend you don’t know why, Ryan. It just makes you look like a fool. And we both know you aren’t one.”

His sharp inhale was all I needed to hear. Disconnecting, I tossed my phone on the desk and slowly turned in the chair.

Only to see the orchid sitting on the drafting table. I’d been so focused on the phone call that I hadn’t even noticed it when I walked in.

Laughing, I stood and snatched the folded note that was attached to the flowerpot.

Whatisyour favorite flower, Baby V?

I glanced back at the pretty flower. It was red like the rose petals had been. Red flowers typically symbolized passion, love, romance. Was my stalker in love with me?

Or did they just want to play a game until they thought my guard was down and then finish me off?

Maybe…

Maybe I was tired of all the chaotic insanity inside me and would let them.

CHAPTERFOURTEEN

elias

I walkedinto work with a bag from Aggie’s, my mind on one thing.

Sammy.

After being pulled away from Samara before I was done with her—fuck, would I ever be done?Doubtful—to deal with an electrical issue in one of the first-floor apartments, I had already been grumpy by the time I was done.

All I wanted was to feed my baby girl and get my hands on her. Not necessarily in that order. I’d been on edge from the moment I walked out of her apartment. She’d needed to get ready for the day, but I’d wanted to throw her over my shoulder and take her with me. Each minute that ticked away while she wasn’t near me, a gnawing ache spread from the center of my chest outward, consuming my entire body until I was one big throb.

I knew it wouldn’t ease until I saw her again. Had my hands on her, her sweet, floral scent in my nose, her taste on my tongue. My need was turning into obsession.

Fuck, it had bypassed obsession and tipped over into some yet-to-be-named mental illness long before I’d gotten my first taste.

“Morning, Elias.”

“Yeah,” I grunted as I walked by the reception desk.

I detoured long enough to leave my mom a muffin on her desk since she wasn’t in her office and kept walking.Need her. Need her. Need her.Her office door was closed, but I didn’t stop to knock. I couldn’t. My heartbeat was pounding in my ears, my stomach twisting with the urgency to have my eyes on her again.

“Got you the last double-chocolate muffin, baby girl,” I announced as I stepped inside.

She had her head in her hands, elbows on the desk, hair falling forward to curtain her face. Jerking upright, she beamed, but I could feel her tension, see the shimmer of tears that lingered in her blue eyes.

Fucking tears.

I was across the room and dropping to my knees beside her chair before I realized my feet were even moving. Tossing the bag on the desk, I grabbed the armrests and turned her so she was facing me.

“Tell me what’s wrong.”

Her laugh came out slightly brittle. “Nothing’s wrong, boss man. I’m fine.”

“Do not lie to me, Samara.” I tucked her hair behind her ears and cupped her face in both hands, desperate to find out what had caused her to cry so I could make sure it never happened again. “Tell me what upset you, and I’ll fix it.”

For a brief moment, her chin wobbled, but she quickly laughed it off. “There’s nothing to fix.”

“Please, princess.”

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