Even though we both calmed down while packing her bags, I kept stealing glances at her every few seconds on our ride here, reassuring myself that she’s beside me and safe.
It was only once I got her into my apartment, under the soft glow of the bathroom lights, that I felt I could exhale.
I called Carter before we hit the road, relaying the situation briefly. I kept the details to myself because Bianca was with me, and I didn’t want her reliving the nightmare again.
I expect he’ll show up soon, demanding more information.
Bianca stands at the bathroom door, arms wrapped around herself like they’re a shield against the world. “Do you think he’ll try again?” she asks, her voice softer than usual.
“He won’t get close again. Not here.” I pull her into the bathroom, my fingers grazing the hem of her blouse.
A faint smile plays at her lips, her gaze locked on my hands as I help her out of her clothes. There’s no hiding the heat creeping into her cheeks. I kneel in front of her, sliding her panties down her legs. Steam swirls in the air, carrying the scent of lavender from the bath salts. They relax my muscles when I push myself too hard at the gym. I sprinkled them in the bath in the hope they’ll help Bianca relax, too.
“Care to join me?” she asks, pointing at the tub. “If I remember correctly, you owe me an orgasm.”
I swat her ass gently. “You’ll get five later. Now hop in. Carter will be here soon, so you’re bathing alone.”
With a pout, she submerges into the tub, her beautiful body disappearing beneath the blanket of bubbles.
“Shout if you need me,” I say as I leave.
I’m halfway down the hallway when the knock comes. I fling the door open, not at all surprised to find not one but three men outside my door. They move inside without waiting for an invitation, their tense shoulders and murderous expressions filling the space like an oncoming storm.
They move into the kitchen, Broadway taking his usual spot against the counter, arms crossed.
“What happened?” Carter demands, pulling up a stool beside Koby. “How did Vaughn find her?”
“No idea.”
I give them the rundown: the market, Vaughn’s lackey, the chloroform, Bianca running for her life.
“She’s good,” Broadway says, shaking his head in something like admiration. “Keeping a level head like that? Most people would’ve frozen.”
“It’s only because she didn’t that she escaped. Vaughn must’ve been watching us for a while. He slipped through all my security systems.” I rake a hand through my hair. “This morningwas well planned. Not a spur-of-the-moment situation. He knew where she’d be, and he made his move.”
Carter rubs his jaw, his eyes narrowing. “Did he say why he took her? Did he say anything?”
“Only that he missed her and would keep her safe.”
“Has she told you why she ran from him in the first place? You’re obviously close now, but we still don’t know why Vaughn wants her so badly. She’s hiding something.”
I grit my teeth, fists clenching at my sides. “Maybe she’s scared. Pressing her for details will push her away. She’ll tell me when she’s ready.”
“We don’t have the luxury of time,” Carter clips. “Figure out a way to make her talk. Until we know what she’s not telling us, we’re vulnerable. I won’t let her or anyone else put us at risk.”
I know he’s right. I get where this is coming from, but his tone drives me up the wall.
“You won’t trust me until I tell you how he drove me away, will you?” Bianca’s voice slices the growing tension.
We turn toward the doorway where she stands, dressed in one of my shirts, her wet hair dripping onto the floor.
“Promise you won’t tell Hailey,” she demands, glaring at Carter, her hands crossed over her chest.
“What does she have to do with any of this?”
“She’s his daughter and... what Vaughn did... I just found her. I don’t want her to hate me. Promise me you won’t tell.”
Carter lets out an irritated huff. Keeping secrets from his girl goes against everything he promised himself after he earned her trust back.
