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“Ow.” I exaggerate my pain, causing two of the people to look over in alarm. Thane immediately drops my arm.

“He’s my son,” he hisses. “You’re the one who was looking for me, missy. Clearly you want to tell me what trouble he’s gotten into, besides dating you.”

“You think I’m trouble?” I scoff. That’s rich coming from the man I just witnessed stealing something.

He glances down at my dress, where a large purple stain covers the right hip from when I jumped off the stage and collided with someone’s wine.

“You’re a walking catastrophe. But that son of mine always did like to be the rescuer. You must make it incredibly easy for him.”

My jaw drops. But he’s not wholly inaccurate. I’m easily distracted and often spacy. I’m a mess from my apartment to my clothes. But Caleb loves me exactly as I am.

“Now, tell me why you’re really here,” Thane growls, inching closer.

My heart rate kicks up a notch and I take a step to the right but bump into one of the other people on the elevator. The woman gives me a wary look, but I turn my attention to Thane.

“That sonof yours is the best thing that’s ever happened to me. It’s a shame you didn’t stick around; he could have taught you how to be a better man. It’s no wonder he wants nothing to do with a criminal like you. Now get out of my face, Thane.”

“I’m not going anywhere,” he snaps.

The ding of the elevator is a knife cutting through the silence. A beefy guy in front of us turns around. “I’d do what she says.”

Thane sputters. “She wanted to talk to me.”

“Clearly she’s done.” The guy pulls his jacket to the side, revealing a badge. The blood drains from Thane’s face. “Let’s go.”

“Wait!” Thane grabs the back of my dress.

“Let go of me!” I yell. The police officer yanks Thane off of me and hauls him out of the elevator. One after the other, the rest of the guests in the elevator pile out. Either this was the floor they needed, or they’re curious to see what happens next. Everyone leaves. Except for the man in the hat. He stays silent as the doors close again, and we continue our ascent.

I breathe a sigh of relief. I’m safe from a psycho man, at least for now. I’ll have to change hotels. And tell Caleb. He’s going to kill me.

The elevator stops, and then the man in the hat turns and rushes for me.

Chapter 10

Caleb

IgreetAmeliawithmy lips. She greets me back with a slap to the face.

I step back, startled, yet impressed.

“Get away from me, you petrified perv—” She freezes, her eyes going wide and doe-like. “Caleb?”

My lips twitch. “Petrified perv?”

“I’m into alliteration right now, and you scared me!” She smacks my bicep, then plasters herself to my chest. “What are you doing here?”

I sigh, cradling her head against me, right where she belongs. “I can’t tell you. But then I saw you…andthat man.”

She pulls back. “Caleb, he’s awful. I don’t know why you’d want him back in your life.”

“I never said I did.”

Her nose scrunches, and it’s adorable and infuriating all at the same time. “Oh right, that was me…so that’snotyour secret?”

“Not even a little bit.” I drag her chin up, brushing my lips over hers. “Hearing you defend me though…” I shake my head.

“Was it sexy?” She pumps her brows, and I kiss each one.