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The night before, I’d gone inside, waiting for fifteen minutes then looking out the window. From the bedroom I’d been able to notice the front grille of his Ram. I wasn’t certain who he thought he was fooling, but I’d had the feeling he’d slept in his truck all night. That was, if he’d fallen asleep at all. I wanted to demand that he tell me he hadn’t left Lily alone. Then I’d chastised myself all over again. He would never do that.
What the hell was he planning? An attack? Alone? My mind was a blur and I’d started looking over my shoulder everywhere I went, my thoughts crazed as to what he believed he was capable of doing. I might not know the man very well, but I’d gathered a sense of him from day one. He thought he could handle any situation with the use of his fists. His bruised knuckles were evidence that hadn’t changed.
I’d left work early, deciding to take various contracts and other paperwork home with me. The pressure was building, the news the two contracts had been terminated not going over well within the ranks. I’d searched and found additional companies to target, the vindictive part inside pushing me to concentrate on every big firm the Martin Agency had been associated with, or I knew would be targeting themselves. I’d also found various successful companies that had never had decent advertising representation.
Most of which had become a goldmine.
I planned on doing that for Masters of Sizzle Advertising. I’d make Savage proud.
Then you’re going to leave?
The damn little voice was about to drive me batshit crazy. What else was I supposed to do? I couldn’t work with him when all I’d be thinking about was his thick, long cock thrusting in and out, the weight of his body pinning me against the bed leaving me breathless. Nope. That wasn’t going to happen. I’d go mad within six months. Maybe less.
I’d parlay the number of new firms who signed on the dotted line into another top-level position.
One way or the other.
And I wouldn’t have to lie my way to the top.
I’d locked down three virtual meetings next week. The team was already in action, designing several presentations that should knock their socks off.
And from what I could tell, Savage couldn’t care less.
I wanted a shot at owning a portion of the business, but the loss on the other side I couldn’t fathom.
As I glanced into the rearview mirror, I half laughed. I’d caught him off guard by leaving an hour ahead of schedule. There was no big black truck behind me. No rumbling engines. No sign of a rough and tumble man. Just… normal traffic.
Then again, maybe he’d sensed that there wasn’t danger lurking in the shadows or boogeymen waiting to use me against him. No one knew that we were or had been an item. Not a single person had suspected. How could they? He acted as if I didn’t exist most of the time.
I parked the car, waiting for a few seconds to see if his truck pulled down the street. He wasn’t coming tonight. I was disappointed, enough so butterflies rushed into my stomach, the fluttering enough my skin prickled. Frowning, I climbed out, grabbing my things and heading to the door.
Then I stopped short, my heart racing into my throat.
I’d never been prone to night terrors or fear of monsters hiding under my bed as a child. But back then, I’d never heard of the mafia.
Or the way they provided a single warning.
The bouquet held at least a dozen roses in a crystal vase. The arrangement would have been gorgeous had the petals not been blackened from decay, the water tinged in crimson from strings of blood.
They were coming for me and there was nothing that Savage could do to stop them.
* * *
Savage
Harlow’s call had rocked me to my core.
“Savage. They know where I live. They were here.”
“Lock your doors, sunshine. I’m coming for you.”
I’d never heard such panic in her voice before. It had brought out the beast in me, my rage off the charts. I rolled down the highway, swerving around every vehicle in my way. Going in excess of eighty miles per hour, I half expected to see flashing lights, but it wouldn’t matter if I did. Nothing and no one would stop me from getting to her.
I weaved my way toward the exit, my grip on the handlebars tightening. As I rolled down the ramp, lowering the gear, damning thoughts slipped into my mind. There was no time to waste getting her out of sight and safe.
But would there ever be a location where she’d be safe again?
It was also time to come completely clean with her. She deserved no less for what she was forced to go through. That would solidify the reason I wasn’t good for her. I had to get her out of the middle, but that wasn’t going to happen until the initial battle was over.
