“I’ll stay.”
Satisfaction shone in his eyes. “But there’s one problem.”
“Oh?”
“Ye still haven’t given me your number, Lovelyn. You’re holding out on me.”
If I had any defences against him, at that line, they fell.
Chapter 24
The Watcher
Lovelyn then Kane had sprinted from the warehouse, one after the other. He was leaving tonight, so what the fuck were they doing? I followed, fast and silent. Only to find them screwing on the riverbank.
For fuck’s sake.
Not what I wanted to see.
Also not giving me the opportunity I wanted.
I left them to each other. At some point, they’d make the move and I’d be ready. Even if it fucking killed me, I’d get her.
Chapter 25
Lovelyn
Nothing killed the buzz of great sex like the prospect of bumping into your dad and your ex afterwards. I’d hit the jackpot of potential emotional disasters. Kane gave me a code for the warehouse’s side entrance, and I snuck inside, my pulse skipping along.
On a fast walk down a corridor, I retraced my steps. If I could reach the lift, I’d be free. The police wouldn’t be allowed above stairs.
But when I turned the corner, my body took a screenshot. Lyle was at the far end, one of the crew members escorting him into a room.
Oh shit.
The detective’s gaze fell on me, and he stopped. “Lovelyn? What are you doing here?”
I forced a smile. “Hey, Lyle. Small world. Um, possibly the same reason you’re here?”
If he was going to get screwed by a gang member. Probably not the way he was imagining.
Coldness hung over his features. I’d only ever seen Lyle at the police headquarters, at my house, or on a date where he’d been all smiles and easiness. I didn’t truly believe he was the onecalling in horrible messages about me or raiding my home, but that wasn’t the reason for my worry. I didn’t want his nose in my business. As far as I knew, he had no idea of my extracurricular activities like my father did. He also had a different vibe about him today than when he’d asked me for dinner. Stonier. A man on a mission.
He took in my oversized t-shirt, an odd pairing with my long skirt, and a deep contrast to his smart business-casual. Previously, we’d matched. Not tonight.
“Which is?”
“Work-related. I came in to interview.” Technically not a lie as Arran and Convict had questioned me. I didn’t owe Lyle answers, but I also didn’t want to make anything more difficult for the skeleton crew. If only I knew why he was here. “What’s going on?”
A degree of the hostility left him, and he blew out a breath, one hand to his hip. “Shit. If you need more work, I can talk to your father. You should get out of here. No job in this shithole is worth risking your reputation over. You have no idea what goes on in this building, or outside of it.”
Behind him, the crew member glared daggers.
I could’ve laughed. Lyle had heard people having sex but didn’t know it was me. Thank God for that.
His radio bleeped, and he lifted it, giving me a dismissive flick of his hand. “Go home, Lovelyn. There’s nothing for you here.”
In relief, I took a step backwards but hit someone coming the other way.
