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Yes. She should return. It is for the best.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
ALEXIS
The crisp evening air hits my face as I step out through the doors of The Blackwood the next day, my fingers clutching the paper envelope containing my fresh paycheck. There are a million other things I can do with this cash, but I know exactly where I want to be tonight.
Slinking my hand into the pocket of my coat, I pull out my phone and dial his number. He picks up on the very first ring, his deep, gravelly voice instantly filling my ear.
"Doll?"
A small, helpless smile tugs at my lips at the sound of the nickname. Gosh, I hate it.
"Can I come see you?" I ask, my heart doing a strange little flutter against my ribs.
"Sure," Cain answers without a second of hesitation, the low rumble of his tone sending a familiar shiver down my spine. "I'm home."
"I'm on my way," I say, hanging up and stepping toward the curb. I raise my hand, hailing a passing yellow cab, and slip into the backseat, giving the driver the directions to the gated estate before sinking back into the leather cushion with a quiet, expectant sigh.
I feel a prick of guilt that I haven’t seen Milly in two days, but we spoke on the phone right before my shift ended, and I promised I’d go to the safehouse tomorrow. She sounded so relaxed, so genuinely content, and she even babbled excitedly about the oversized soaking tub in her bathroom—Milly has always loved a good bathtub.
That’s what matters most. She is safer and happier there than she’s ever been anywhere else.
Twenty minutes later, the cab drops me off. My boots click against the stone as I walk up the wide steps to his front door, my chest tightening with every step.
My skin instantly prickles, my body humming with a sudden, electric heat as memories of the last time I was on these grounds flood my mind. The dark woods. The wild, terrifying chase. The punishing, exquisite thrill of his hands on me against the pine tree.
My core throbs traitorously, my blood rushing so hot I have to scold myself.
Get a grip, Alexis.
This is the absolute worst time to be turning myself on—I’m about to see him in five seconds, and this visit is meant to be a serious conversation. A business meeting, basically.
I take a deep, steadying breath and knock on the door.
A moment later, the it swings wide open. Cain stands there, broad and imposing against the warm light of the foyer. A slow, lethal smirk tugs at the corner of his lips as his dark eyes drag over me.
"Miss me already, doll?" he rumbles softly.
"In your dreams," I murmur, slipping past his towering frame into the foyer.
He lets out a low, amused chuckle, closing the heavy door behind me. I follow him into the sprawling living room, watching as he moves with that fluid, predatory grace before lowering himself into one of the plush leather armchairs, sprawling his long legs out in front of him.
He’s still smiling at me—that dark, devastating smirk—and he looks so breathtakingly handsome my mouth instantly goes bone dry.
Instead of speaking, I reach into my coat pocket, pull out the envelope containing my paycheck, and stretch it out toward him.
Cain doesn't take it. His smile instantly vanishes. He eyes the white paper in my hand like it's a live explosive, his dark gaze cutting up to mine.
"What's that?" he asks, his voice dropping an octave, losing every trace of playfulness.
"Part of the money I owe you," I say, keeping my hand steady despite the sudden prickle of nerves in my stomach. "For Milly's medical bills. I'll keep paying you back every time I get my check until the debt is cleared."
His brows furrow, a dangerous shadow crossing his face as his eyes darken with immediate, violent irritation. He doesn't make a single move to reach for the envelope.
"Put that away, Alexis," he rumbles, the order laced with steel. "I'm not taking your money."
"Cain, take it," I insist, stepping closer and thrusting the envelope toward his chest. "Just because we... because of what happened between us in the woods, it doesn't mean my debt is erased. I pay my own way."
