Total pages in book: 81
Estimated words: 79052 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 395(@200wpm)___ 316(@250wpm)___ 264(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79052 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 395(@200wpm)___ 316(@250wpm)___ 264(@300wpm)
“I don’t think so,” I replied. “What are you thinking?”
“So, once we leave the office, couldn’t we use that to our advantage? Let him think there are glitches, but the bugs haven’t been found? Let him know where I will be and when? Like when I go shopping tomorrow? Or go somewhere on the weekend? See if he shows up?”
I stared at her in surprise. As much as I hated the thought of exposing her, it was a good idea. And she was incredibly brave to have suggested it.
“He’ll know we’re watching,” I pointed out.
She shrugged. “Or maybe make him think you’re backing off a little. That you think your scare tactics worked on him.”
“I am not backing off.”
“I know. Use your guys. Ones he doesn’t know. Send them ahead.” Then her eyes widened. “Why don’t we go for a walk and have a fight?”
“What? A fight?” I asked. “Why?”
“He’ll see me walk away from you. Maybe he’ll approach me.”
Leo met my frowning gaze. “That’s not a bad idea.”
“Maybe I should go back to my apartment,” she added. “Be easily accessible.”
“That isn’t happening.” I snapped, tightening my grip on her hip. “I’ll think about the other idea.”
She stood, smoothing down her skirt. She was pale, upset, and fierce. She settled her hands on her hips, glaring at me. “The bottom line here, Damien, is it is my decision. I could walk out of this building right now, and you can’t stop me. I think we need to see if he is still hanging around. This seems the best way to do so. You can arrange your men. We can play things up. I know I’ll be safe. Maybe he isn’t even bothering anymore.”
“And if he is?” I said, furious she was insisting and knowing she was probably right.
“Then you nab him. Take him to the police. Find out who he is.”
Leo spoke up. “She’s right, Damien. If he is around, still following, he may take the chance.”
I stood. “I’ll think about it, and we’ll discuss the logistics in the morning.”
Raven didn’t budge. “We’ll discuss it now.”
I rubbed my eyes, tamping down my temper. I recalled how often Missy defied Marcus. The time Evie went on a lone shopping spree and drove Matteo mad with worry. I had laughed at their frustration. Their overreactions. I hadn’t expected it from Raven. I supposed I should have. They would laugh at me right now.
“We will have rules. Boundaries.” I pointed my finger at her. “You will adhere to them.”
“You figure it out, and I’ll bring in the men,” Leo offered. “We’ll make sure she’s safe.”
I nodded, and he left with a quiet assurance that he would contact me later.
Raven and I stared at each other.
“We have to do this, Damien. I have to do this. If we let him, we could still be wondering and worried a month from now. I can’t put my life on hold forever.”
I exhaled hard. “I know. I hate the idea, but I know.”
She stepped in front of me, laying her hand on my chest. “You’ll keep me safe. If he approaches me, you’ll get him. But maybe he listened to you. Walked away when he realized he wasn’t getting near me and I was serious when I said no.”
I covered her hand, not telling her how dubious I was. That men like him didn’t stop until they got what they wanted, or the woman they were after literally disappeared to get away from them. And even then, sometimes, it didn’t stop. I had seen it.
“You will do everything I tell you.”
“Yes.”
“No deviations.”
“No.”
“Fine. I’ll work it all out with Egan, Leo, and the men. Tomorrow, something will delay me when you go shopping, and my lazy, good-for-nothing man will sit on his ass in a car outside. You will be inside with Deb.”
She smiled. “Better not let them hear you say that.”
I laughed. “Nope. But that’s what I want Andy to think. See if it draws him out.”
“If it doesn’t?”
“Saturday, we’ll take a walk and have an argument. You’ll storm away and jump in a passing cab and go home. You’ll let him see you’re alone in the apartment.”
“But Egan will be inside my place?”
“Yes.”
“And it will be your man who drives me home?”
“Yes.”
“And there will be some of your people in the store?”
“Of course.”
She smiled at me. “Then I’m safe.”
“You’re coming back to mine on Sunday.” I lifted her hand and kissed it. “If I last that long.”
“Okay,” she agreed easily.
“I hate this. The thought of you being out of my sight makes me want to rage.”
“But you won’t. You’ll do it for me.”
“Yes. Now I guess I had better take you out to dinner, so he hears us if he is listening.”
She nodded, her eyes dimming. “Okay.”
I wrapped her in my arms, knowing how brave a front she was putting on. “We’ll figure this out, Raven. I won’t let anything happen to you.”