“On a property I sold to you. Don’t you forget it.” I share a look with Rex.
“Yes, that made you rich. Now, where’s my wife?”
Larry looks over his shoulder. Instead of inviting me in, he pushes his way out and closes the door. I narrow my eyes at him, three seconds from moving him and going in without an invitation. He holds his hands up in a placating way, knowing what I’m thinking.
“She’s taking a nap.”
I tilt my head at him and place my hands in my pocket. “Is she ill?” I school my features, but the rapid beating of my heart is proof of my anxiousness. After the scares we’ve had, having her out of my sight for any length of time is not something I care to repeat.
“No, but we were watching Jeopardy, and she fell asleep on the couch.” He explains before sighing. “Look, whatever happened, she’s hurting.” I ball my hands into fists inside my pockets.I’m the reason she’s hurting. I know it.
I finally take a step back and run a hand through my hair. “I don’t know what happened. She seemed fine, then she left.”
Larry scoffs, obviously not believing my lie. “She didn’t mean to leave.” That catches my attention and I motion to him to continue. “She said she was thinking about it, but she came to the conclusion that she was going to stay. She got in the rowboat to think, got lost in her thoughts, then when she decided to get out of the boat, she realized she had floated downstream and ended up at my house.”
I share another look with Rex.Anna was right.“Okay. And?” He has a point he’s getting to and I need him to get there quicker than he is.
“I think you need to give her some space. Let her have a bit of freedom. I’ll check in with you every day to let you know she’s safe, but let her come to you when she’s ready. And she will be, eventually.”
I walk off his porch, pondering what he said. She’s never had any freedom. The most freedom she’s ever had was at Brighton; even then I watched her every move or I had her every move watched. That won’t change if I allow her to stay here. I’ll send security here to watch her every move. But every part of our relationship has been forced on her.
The only time I ever asked her anything was the day I gave her wedding rings back to her. I asked her to be my wife, and shesaid yes. I think back to our wedding day. She told me then if I had asked her she would have said yes and I’d never know. But I do know now. She was telling the truth.
I have lied to her so much. I inhale deeply and turn to Larry. “I’ll let her stay.” His eyes widen in obvious surprise. “But you will text me three times a day letting me know she’s okay.” He gives me areallylook. “That is not up for discussion. I have to know and see she’s okay. I’m also going to have one of my security guys watch her.”
Larry shakes his head. “It doesn’t seem like your security does a very good job. How did she wind up getting away without being noticed?”
I look at Rex, but don’t respond to Larry’s question. It’s a good question. Every one of the guys that was on the premises was fired. Rex has hired two new guys that he’s been talking about for a while now. I should have listened to him sooner. He’s been saying for a while that we missed something with McKenzie’s last kidnapping.
“We took care of that,” I finally say. “Will you text me?”
He nods. “Yes, I’ll text you. Do you have specific times?”
“Yes, nine in the morning, one in the afternoon, and six at night. You still have my number?” I want him to give me his phone so I can check myself, but when he nods, I take him at his word. Larry is grumpy, but he’s harmless. I wouldn’t have bought his property or moved so close to him if he wasn’t.
“Alright, one of Rex’s guys will be here at night keeping watch. If you miss one check in, I’ll be back to get her.”
He waves his hand at me and starts back toward his front door. “Yeah. Yeah. The only reason I’m allowing this is because I understand what it feels like to be in love.” I don’t respond as he walks back into his house and closes the door.
There’s a part of me that wants to barge through the door, throw McKenzie over my shoulder, and make her go home. But Ineed her to choose me this time. And I know she will. She loves me. Almost as much as I love her.
Chapter 7
Phoenix
Two Months Later
Sitting at my desk in my downstairs office, I glance at the time again as I count down the minutes to the text I’ll receive in about six minutes. I finish the sentence in the email I’m writing and hit send. Gil and I are working on the plans for the upcoming auction and making as many changes as possible. I’ve been working on making these changes since I became a member of the council, and Gil has supported me along the way. Glancing at the time again, I push my chair back and reach for my belt. Three minutes.
My fingers play with the buckle, the steel cold between my fingers as my cock stirs with anticipation. The number of times I’ve fucked my hand to the pictures I receive should be alarming, but the obsession I have for McKenzie is borderline psychotic. She’s under my skin, in my blood, in every single thought and decision I make. I will never get enough of her, even if it is just a picture.
One minute. I pull on my belt, ready to undo it when there’s a knock on my door. I scowl, but don’t look up from my phone. Everyone in this house knows not to disturb me during the check-in time.This better be important.
“Come in,” I say without looking up. My phone dings with a notification just as the door opens. I still don’t look up to see who it is. I open the text from Larry and pause at the selfie of McKenzie, my eyes narrowing. Larry’s never sent me a selfie before. She has a small smile on her lips. Her eyes are bright with a bit of mischief. Her silver hair hangs in waves around her shoulders. She’s standing in front of…
My eyes snap up and I’m face to face with a mirage. A fantasy. A figment of my imagination. She takes a step forward, the same mischievous smile on her face. She’s wearing a red silk dress. It’s low cut with two slits that stop at her hips. I wonder if she’s wearing any panties. I narrow my eyes. I know that dress came out of our closet upstairs.
If she got on this property and my security guys didn’t see, there will be more than a firing this time. Heads will roll.
