26
AURORA
“Wow, you’ve become the help. Jesus, look at this place. You’ve been bought.”
“I asked you here to check over the security, not run your mouth.”
“If Jackson kept videos of them fucking from his last property, I’m sure he’s well-versed in setting up security.”
“That was internal. I want every inch of the exterior covered.”
“Once this is sorted, are you returning to the hotel?”
“I’m undercover. Why would I leave?”
“Because there’s an entire investigation beyond this mansion. You’re dragging your feet and being played by pussy, man. Sorry.”
“You saw the text Jackson received in Boston. She’s being threatened by the people we’re working to take down. My job is here.”
“And that’s all?”
“That’s all.”
Frozen in the hallway, I replay the conversation in my head. I was going to greet Charlie when I overheard voices coming from the security room. Now, my entire world is blown apart.
I feel foolish.
Boston. Why Ethan’s voice was raised, why Jax was upset, the only reason Reece is here. I’m being threatened, and they didn’t tell me.
That, I can understand. Ethan told me to forget about the case. I can deal with them wanting to protect me, but Jackson has videos of us together? From where? The downtown condo? Laguna? Both? Reece and Charlie know. Does Ethan know too? Of course he does; he knows everything.
I’m alone.
Reece is here for his job. That’s all . I guess his partner doesn’t like me much, and here I was, excited to see him again. He thinks I’m playing Reece, which sheds light on Reece’s anger when I hugged him and asked him to stay.
I’m so stupid.
In a daze, I stumble through the house and out the door. I stand on the back patio, eyes fixed on the ocean, unsure of what to do next. I’m living a lie. I need to think—away from here.
“Princess.”
Startled, I whip around.
Reece’s brows pinch. “What’s wrong?”
I place my palm over my wildly beating heart and tight chest. “I’m leaving.”
His scowl deepens. “Why?”
“I want to leave.”
He steps closer. “Okay. I’ll take you wherever you wish to go.”
I step back. “No. I don’t want to be near you.” My voice cracks and my throat burns. Tears blur my vision, and I angrily wipe them away with my knuckles.
He advances again, and I retreat.
His jaw clenches, his temples bulging. “What did I do, angel?”
I catch movement behind him, and we both turn to see Charlie approaching.
He waves. “Hey, Aurora.”
I have nothing to say. My chest hurts too much to speak more than a few words, and honestly, I don’t feel like talking to him at the moment.
They exchange a glance. Reece lifts his chin toward the house and gestures for his partner to leave us. When he faces me, his eyes betray his guilt. “What can I do?”
The confirmation is even more gut-wrenching. “Go away.”
He blows out a breath. “I can’t do that.”
“Charlie seems to think you can. Just leave.”
He shakes his head. “I’m not leaving you.”
Tears stream down my face. “Fix the security and go home.”
“You’re my home,” he says with such conviction, I almost believe him.
“You said yourself I was playing you.”
Frustrated, he interlaces his fingers behind his neck and flexes his biceps. “Fuck, Aurora. I was caught off guard, and I didn’t mean what you overheard.”
“And everything else? The videos? The threat?”
“We’re just trying to protect you. It’s being taken care of.”
I sniffle, drawing a shuddering breath. “The videos everyone has seen but me?”
“No one has watched them but your husband.” He slips his phone from his pocket. “It’s not my story to tell. I’ll call him, and he can explain.”
“He’s at practice, and I’m leaving.”
Reece presses the phone to his ear. “I can’t let you do that, angel.”
I glance at the beach behind me. I’m more familiar with this area than he is. I can run, lose him, get an Uber. Women run while pregnant.
He lowers the phone from his mouth. “I’ll catch you. It’s been a while since I’ve chased a suspect, but I’ll do it. You’re not leaving my sight, Aurora. Don’t even try it. I’ll carry you back kicking and screaming if I have to.”
I scoff and walk away, following the edge of the pool. I step onto the grass, and the blades prick my feet, a sharp reminder I’m not wearing freaking shoes.
I’ll be fine on the beach, and I can book an oceanfront room or find an Airbnb using my phone, bypassing the front desk or check-in. Call me stubborn or petty, but I have no intention of playing their games or complying with their rules.
Just as my toes sink into the cool, soft sand, muscular arms wrap around me, and a hard body presses against my back.
“I’m gonna be honest with you, princess.
The likelihood of you leaving is slim to none.
Your husband has videos of you from years ago because he’s a full-blown stalker.
Ethan will do anything to keep you and Jax safe.
He met with his father the day before Kyle was killed, and I bet if I called him right now, he’d have zero remorse and redden your ass for threatening to take off. ”
I swallow hard, my throat thick. “Sounds like more reason to leave.”
He ignores me and continues. “Even when I was away, I watched you in New York. I’d track your phone’s location and have Charlie hack into the surveillance cameras to see you. One of us will find you.”
“You’re all crazy.” Every breath I suck in feels strained, my lungs constricted, unable to fully expand. A suffocating fog descends upon me, making it difficult to articulate my thoughts.
I don’t even know what I’m angriest about. Reece lying to me when I thought I could trust him most?
I’m tired of it all. The lies. The pretending.
The tightness in my chest intensifies, throbbing with every beat of my heart, and I clutch his forearms.
He bends down and effortlessly lifts me into a bridal hold. “I understand you’re mad. I understand what I said hurt you, and I’m sorry, but you’ll have to be mad in one of the ten bedrooms.”
Pissed off and humiliated, I kick my legs and attempt to free myself from his grip.
The asshole chuckles, his body vibrating with laughter. “You’re so fucking adorable, especially when you’re furious, Tinker Bell. Is that where you got your middle name?”
I push against his chest. “Shut up.”
He adjusts me in his hold and snatches both of my wrists in one massive hand. “Your husband is going to flip when he sees this.” His face breaks into a wolfish grin. “If you want revenge, now is your chance. What do you say?”
“Revenge? Clearly, he enjoys watching.”
His feet come to a halt on the path beside the pool. “Huh. That makes sense.” He flashes that smirk again. “Must be why he doesn’t like me. He has a thing for brunettes.”
“You’re being a real dick today.”
“And you’re being a stubborn, pain in my ass.”
“Then leave!”
“Nah, I think I’ll stay and watch Ethan handle you. Sounds exciting. Maybe I’ll let him borrow a pair of my handcuffs.”
“He prefers a belt.” We cross the threshold, and I attempt to break free with wiggles, kicks, and elbows, but it’s useless. “You’re going to need those handcuffs to keep me inside this house.”
“Oh yeah?” That goddamn stupid fucking grin. “Don’t tempt me with a good time. What bed would you like me to handcuff you to? My room has a fireplace and books. I’ll even leave one arm free so you can read.”
He heads toward his apartment, and I dig my elbow into his sternum.
“Keep fighting me, baby. You’re only earning me bonus points with your harem.”
I slump in his arms. “God, I hate you.”
He kisses my nose. “You can hate me in my bed. I like you feisty.”