“Christ.” I lower the gun, pulse still thrumming in my ears.
“You all have guns?” Autumn’s voice shakes behind me.
Kaden steps closer, eyes scanning her from head to toe, making sure she’s unhurt. “What the hell happened?”
“Someone threw a brick through the window,” I tell him, lifting the crumpled note. “Check the cameras. See if we caught anything.”
The men move past us, still on guard. I cross to the window and look out. Rain pounds the street. More of my guards are arriving, scanning every shadow.
I turn back to her. “You and I are going to have a chat.”
She folds her arms, defensive, trying to build a wall I’ll happily break down.
“Cross them tighter if you want,” I murmur, stepping closer. “You’re going to tell me everything. One way or another.”
Chapter Fourteen
Autumn
My hands won’t stop shaking. The stalker is escalating, throwing a brick through the window while Flynn was here? He’s never been this bold, never risked making himself known when I wasn’t alone. Anonymous texts? Yes. But this, this is something else. This is a warning.
I pace the living room, heart pounding, nerves shot. More of Flynn’s men file in and out, each one armed, voices low as they mutter about cameras, codes, security I never asked for. Guns on hips. Eyes everywhere. I stare at them, wondering how the hell this became my life.
“Autumn.” Flynn’s voice cuts through the chaos, and suddenly he’s there with Kaden at his side. He fills the doorway, broad and unreadable, with that edge in his eyes I used to mistake for apathy. Now it looks dangerous.
“Do you know who the stalker is?” he asks, and something in me snaps.
“The stalker?” I laugh, brittle, manic, fighting to keep from crying. “I don’t even know who the hellyouare!” I step closer, jabbing a finger in their direction. “Guns? Cameras? You own the damn building?” My voice shakes, but I don’t care. I’m cornered and furious, sick of secrets.
He crosses his arms, muscles flexing, pulling the fabric taut. He looks different tonight. Meaner. Like I should be afraid of him, too.
“Well, apparently I’m not the only one keeping secrets,” I spit out, gesturing wildly to the strangers camped out at my door.
Flynn turns, gives a nod. The men file out, leaving only Kaden behind. The quiet slams down, heavy as a judge’s gavel.
“Talk, Autumn.” His voice is a command. He doesn’t move. His eyes are cold, detached, nothing soft left in them.
“No.” I cross my arms, chin lifting, even as fear eats me from the inside out. I feel small. Cornered. But I won’t let him see it. Between the stalker and whatever Flynn actually is, my world is spinning out of control again.
“Autumn, don’t fucking test me.” He takes a step forward, slow, menacing, and I take one back, my breath hitching. There’s no escaping him, no way past Kaden. If I want out, I’ll have to outthink them.
“Fine.” I let my arms fall, pretending at defeat, dropping my gaze just enough to look harmless. “But not here.” I glance at the clock on the wall, forcing my voice to soften. “It’s still early. Can we go to the coffee shop? Just… sit there, please.” I try to sound hurt, small, the way I’ve seen other women do when they want a man to lower his guard.
Flynn holds my gaze for a long moment, then lets out a heavy breath and nods. “Kaden, get someone to fix the window. Immediately.”
He turns back to me, eyes still hard, but there’s something else there now—something darker. “Get dressed. Something warm. Meet me outside.” He doesn’t wait for my answer, just turns on his heel and disappears into the hallway.
He’s so controlling. Bossy, even. And the worst part, the secret I’d die before admitting, is that I like it. After so many years alone, always in charge, carrying the weight of every decision, there’s something intoxicating about letting someone else take control, even if just for a moment.
I walk to my bedroom. No one is here, but I notice Kaden stayed in the living room. He’s not dumb enough to leave me alone. I close the door and get dressed: leggings, a soft wool sweater, and the new coat I bought today. Boots on, then I make sure no one is coming.
Leaning under the mattress, I pull out a small envelope. It isn’t much, but it’s enough to run again. I wish I could pack more, but with Flynn turning this place into a fortress and cameras outside, this money is all I’ll get.
I walk out, grab my bag, and slip my camera inside. Kaden gives me a look.
“It’s kind of a comfort thing,” I lie, clutching it tighter. The camera’s expensive; it’s my ticket to work in any city. I need it.
Outside my door, two men in suits are waiting. They don’t move, just nod. Down on the street, Flynn stands by the car, door already open.
