That's all I need.
"If he asks, I'll tell him how you've been stalking me and breaking into my apartment. Then I'll file a restraining order to keep you away," I threaten.
She gasps dramatically. "You wouldn't."
"Want to test me?"
A reluctant smirk tugs at her lips. "I hate you."
"Great. Make it permanent."
We descend the stairs in silence. Her heels stab each step. At the bottom, she pauses at the exit, pinning her sad expression on me.
Some of my attitude melts. Her expression reminds me of the little girl I've always known as Adrian and Skylar's daughter before she became fixated on me.
I soften my tone. "Go home, Blue. Don't break into my apartment again, or I will have a discussion with your father."
Her throat bobs. Then she straightens, flipping her hair back into place. "You're going to regret this someday."
"So be it," I reply, then push her out the door.
When she disappears into the crowd, I exhale and return to my apartment, still flabbergasted that she broke in again.
I need to know how she's getting in.
I mentally catalog all the ways I can grill the super without mentioning Adrian's daughter is a pint-sized stalker. Blue is annoying, but the Ivanovs are family. It's still Adrian and Skylar's daughter, and I don't want her reputation tarnished.
I get to my unit and unlock the door. I step into the family room and once again freeze.
This time, the intruder isn't one I'll push out.
Valentina stands in the middle of the room like she stepped off the cover of a magazine. Red minidress hugging every curve, high stilettos making her already-long legs look endless, dark hair curled and spilling down her back. Her lips are painted the same dangerous, sinful shade as the dress.
My brain short-circuits, and my dick goes painfully hard.
She doesn't smile. Her cool gaze flickers over my damp shirt. She taunts, "Rough day?"
My heart pounds harder. "You tell me. You're the one breaking into my apartment."
Her eyebrows arch. "Well, I had to wait for your other...guest to leave."
"Is that a question or an accusation?" I retort.
She purses her lips in disapproval.
I step closer.
Her eyes flash. "She's cute. Your little turquoise shadow."
"Blue's her name, and she's just a kid," I clarify.
Valentina's mouth twists. "Is that what we're calling her now? A color palette? Because from where I was standing in that hallway, she looked pretty comfortable in your space. Again."
My shoulders go tight. "Well, if you were eavesdropping, then you should have heard me tell her I don't want her."
She lifts a shoulder, the movement making a curl slide against her collarbone, right next to her Finzia tattoo. "She seems determined to have you."
I step closer, cockily asserting, "And that bugs you?"
