Leo had returned earlier, and he and Kayne had disappeared, something Chloe chose not to dwell on, because the last thing she needed was mental imagery of two oversized alphas stalking the hallways in tactical harmony.She had no idea where they’d gone.Probably glaring at things.Men did that.
The construction crew had clocked out, leaving the building in a rare hush.Chloe took a quiet lap around the track on the second floor.Setting sunlight poured through the windows, catching drifting sawdust like suspended glitter.The place still screamed construction site, but it also, finally, looked like her future.
Her gym.Her dream.Her mess to fix.
She ran her hands along the metal rail, feeling the cool bite beneath her fingertips.The new flooring wasn’t in yet and blue painter’s tape lined every corner, but the air smelled of fresh lumber and citrus cleaner.It was somehow oddly soothing.Almost peaceful.
Until a voice behind her drawled, “You shouldn’t be up here alone.”
Chloe jumped and spun around.
A construction worker stood near the ladder at the far end of the track.He was tall, broad-shouldered, and wearing a gray work shirt smudged with white plaster dust.His hard hat hung from two fingers slung lazily by his thigh.
She didn’t recognize him, but there were still workers she hadn’t met, so she told herself the cold flicker in her stomach was overeager imagination, influenced by a certain overprotective security specialist.
“Sorry,” she whispered, because apparently she was apologizing in her own building now.“I didn’t mean to get in your way.”
“You’re not in my way.”His tone was steady and low.Off somehow, like a note in a song that didn’t belong.“Just dangerous to wander.”
She forced a polite smile.It was her gym.She owned the place.Who exactly was he to tell her where she could stroll?“I’m being careful.”
He didn’t smile back or do anything, really.Just watched.Too long.Toointerested.
Her pulse quickened.Kayne’s stupid voice whispered in her head:Trust your instincts, cher.
She told that voice to mind its own damn business.
Chloe was being dramatic.Kayne had her jumpy with his talk of security, cover stories, and fake boyfriends.Her imagination was running laps.
“Are you working on something up here?”she asked, injecting forced brightness into her tone.“I thought everyone had gone home for the day.”
“Finishing the trim.”He jerked his chin toward the baseboards.“Needed measurements.”
“Oh.Great.”She edged sideways toward the stairs subtly enough (she hoped) to pass as casual.“Everything’s looking really good.”
He stepped closer.Not overtly, but enough that her spine stiffened instinctively.
“You own this place,” he said.Not a question.A statement.
“Yes.”Her smile wobbled.
He rubbed his thumb against his fingertips as if testing grit.“A lot of responsibility for someone your size.”
She blinked.“Excuse me?”
His eyes met hers.They were dark and flat with zero warmth and absolutely no curiosity.Just assessment.It was wrong in a way she felt before she understood.
“You’re small,” he clarified.“Seems like a big project to take on by yourself.”
She swallowed.“I’m not alone.I have a staff now.”Or she would soon.“And a business partner.”Technically, a brother.“And,” she almost said a boyfriend, but the idea of invoking Kayne as a security blanket made her uncomfortable, “and a whole team helping.”
“I’ve been watching the progress,” he said.“Nice how hands-on you are.”
His gaze dipped to her fingers and rose again with an intent that made her skin prickle.“But you shouldn’t be the last one here.And you should be more careful walking around alone.”
The words landed like a warning.Or a promise.
Chloe’s stomach tightened.“Thanks for the advice.I was just leaving.”
