Two words.
But they made his pulse falter.
Made his hands still.
She didn’t know what it meant.
Didn’t know that those words were the only thing keeping him from burning the world down.
Not yet.
But she would.
He hit the call button.
Christian picked up on the second ring. “Boss.”
“Something happened.” Gideon’s voice was low, clipped. “Arden’s car. Windows smashed in. Rose petals. It was a mess.”
A pause crackled through the line, then, concern. “Is she okay?”
“She wasn’t there when it happened.” He exhaled, jaw tight. “But I’m not taking any chances.”
“I need two men on Arden. Twenty-four-seven. Quiet. She doesn’t need to know.”
Another beat. Then: “Consider it done.”
“She doesn’t leave her apartment alone. I want eyes on her every second. And if anyone even breathes wrong?—”
“They won’t get the chance.”
Gideon ended the call. Jaw locked. Shoulders rigid.
But at least now?
He had a target.
Because this wasn’t over.
Not even close.
And next time?
He’d be ready.
CHAPTER 34
A Lesson in Distraction
Penny adjusted her sunglasses as she sauntered into the glass-and-steel lobby of Hawthorne Holdings, her gaze swept the space like she was plotting a hostile takeover.
“Alright,” she murmured under her breath as they neared the security desk, angling closer to Arden. “We’re clear on the mission, right?”
Arden gave her a side-eye. “There’s a mission now?”
“Yes,” Penny said, too brightly. “Step one: deliver lunch. Step two: distract Dan. Step three: you do whatever it is you do when you’re alone with Gideon.”
Arden resisted the urge to rub her temples. “You’re making it sound like we’ve launched a covert op.”
