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She inhaled and held her breath. “I was going to stake out the door until you went into work. I obviously didn’t think you would still be at the office at midnight.”
He nodded. “I keep weird hours. The company is international.” He could hardly tell her that her memory kept him up at night. “But why did you want to stake out my office? Is everything okay?”
“Umm… No. Not really. I need help.”
He nodded again because he didn’t know what else to do. What did he usually do with his hands? Why did he feel so fucking awkward? “Anything,” he rushed out before he could think better of it.
“I’m leaving my husband,” she said. “Well, I don’t know if I can call him that. He was more my captor than my spouse.”
His back straightened as his jaw clenched painfully. “What do you mean?”
“It’s a long story, but he will have people looking for me. Dangerous people. Shifters,” she added. “I remember him saying you’re a wolf.”
Wilder was shocked again, but Amelia went on.
“He hired a bunch of lions to do security for him. I was only just able to get rid of my guard tonight because he was—” She stopped short. “It doesn’t matter. I need to hire you to protect me while I find a way to get out from under his thumb.” She unzipped her black bag and showed him the contents. “I can pay you.”
The bag was full of money. It wasn’t the tidy stacks you’d expected from such a bag. It was clear this had been accumulated over months.
Years.
His gut churned as the realization sank in. His mate was on the run, and somehow—by some twist of fate—she was askinghimfor help. He could not refuse her.
“I will help,” he said. “Come this way.”
Wilder led her to his car, and before he could even formulate a coherent thought, he was pulling up to his house. The black security gate opened, and the enforcer on duty, George, nodded at him with a grin when he spotted Amelia.
Wilder couldn’t remember the last time he had brought a girl home, and he was sure that Amelia’s presence was going to cause a fair amount of gossip.
He would have to warn everyone that she was a client. Nothing more.
“Did you bring me to your home?” Amelia asked.
“I did,” he replied before opening her door. “It’s late, and this was the only thing I could think of if you’re in as much danger as you claim.”
She nodded tightly before holding out the bag to him again. “You should take your payment.”
He slung the bag over his shoulder, but he had no intention of keeping the money. He was going to protect Amelia because it was the right thing to do. Because she was his to protect.
Because she was somehow in his life.
Because she needed him.
“This way,” he said, his voice rough again. He unlocked the door and motioned for her to step inside. She looked around the entryway and held her breath.
“I’m sorry for intruding on your life like this. I’m sure your wife won’t like you bringing your work home.”
“Don’t have a wife or anyone who can tell me what to do.”
She snorted. “Must be nice.” Her voice was dark, and it made him shiver. There was more to her story, he was sure of it.
“You must be exhausted. How about I show you to a room? Get some sleep, and we can talk in the morning.”
Amelia gulped. “Right. But you might not want to help me when I’ve told you everything.”
“Of course, I’ll help you,” he growled.
Her eyes went wide, and he could’ve kicked himself. He was being too rough. Too assertive. Damn his wolfish side.
