Page 83

“Okay.”
She moved toward the door, and I felt an overwhelming moment of panic, like I couldn’t let her go. “Stefania…”
There was a question in her eyes when she looked at me over her shoulder.
Don’t go. Don’t leave me. Let’s go somewhere…somewhere far away from here.
“Be careful.”
“I will.” She opened the door, resting her hand on the doorframe for a moment as she drew in a deep breath. Then, with one last look at me, she was gone. Leaving me standing there, a fierce ache spreading through my chest.
CHAPTER 38
Stefania
Music blasted in my ears as I bounced down the stairs of my apartment and out the door. It was a fucking beautiful day, perfect for building my cardio levels back to what they were before my CFS flare up.
Not to this song, though.I stopped, flicking through my playlist, looking for a song that would really get my blood pumping. Ah yes, perfect. I turned the volume up, zipped my hoodie up and glanced up the street before heading for the golf course. There was a big, black SUV parked about thirty feet away, that I hadn’t seen on my street before.Noted. But you’re probably being ridiculous. No need to worry about random cars parked on your street.
Grayson, Grayson, Grayson. Ah yes, a much better subject.This is mine.Hooooly fuck. Had anything that hot ever happened to me in my life? No, it had not. That had been three days ago and we hadn’t spoken since. I’d spent pretty much every waking moment thinking about it, though.
The hairs on the back of my neck prickled, and I glanced over my shoulder. Had the SUV moved? I couldn’t be sure. I turned mymusic down, counting out twenty steps before checking again. This time, there was no mistaking it—the vehicle was gliding slowly toward me.
My heart started hammering in my chest, and I moved even faster. I scanned my surroundings, desperately searching for someone, anyone, who could help me. No dice. The golf course was deserted. Panic surged through me, and I wondered if I was being paranoid. Maybe it was just an innocent coincidence.
But then I risked another quick glance over my shoulder and saw a burly man climbing out of the passenger seat, his eyes fixed on me. My stomach clenched with terror, and without thinking, I started running, not caring where I was headed.
The sound of footsteps pounded behind me, growing louder with each stride. I increased my pace, but it wasn’t fast enough. A heavy hand landed on my shoulder, and I thought I heard a man’s voice saying, “Ma’am.” It struck me as odd that a kidnapper or a hacker would address me so politely. But, you know, a huge guy was grabbing me, so I had no time to think about that.
Letting my instincts take over, I swung my arm up, slamming my elbow hard into the man’s nose. He pulled back, howling with pain and clutching his face. A savage satisfaction surged through me, quickly replaced by renewed fear, as I heard the screeching tires of the SUV.
“Fuck,” I cursed through gritted teeth and started running again.
A woman’s voice shouted, “Don’t let her go!” as I darted toward the park, hoping to find a jogger or someone who could help me. I was almost at the road that ran in front of the park when the man I had hit grabbed me from behind.
Adrenaline surged into my system, and I started fighting back, kicking and clawing at my assailant. He held me tightly, but somehow, he wasn’t hurting me. Then, a woman stepped out of the back of the SUV.
“Jesus fucking Christ, Wes. You want Mr. Rivers to skin you alive?”
I froze, my heart pounding in my chest. “Mr. Rivers? As in, Grayson?” What the fuck was going on? Why would Grayson send some guy to chase me?
“Yes. I’m Heather Farris, Rivers Enterprises Head of Security. My sincere apologies for my colleague. Wes, a lot more than your job is on the line if you don’t release Ms. Moretti. Right now.”
He let me go, taking two steps back and raising his hands. “Ma’am, I’m very, very sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you.”
I was still disoriented, my body shaky with residual adrenaline. “Would someone please tell me what the fuck is going on?”
“Mr. Rivers would like to see you.”
“Well, Mr. Rivers can fucking well call me himself and tell me that.” Yeah, now I was feeling salty. That much cardio in such a short time isnotgood. “I’d like a goddamn explanation.”
Farris and Wes exchanged panicked looks before Farris cleared her throat. “Our instructions are to collect you from your apartment and call Mr. Rivers when we have done so. I’m sorry, I can’t tell you more than that.”
“Fine. Call him. I wouldn’t mind a word with him, actually.”
“Please, Ma’am! He’ll?—”
Woah, Wes was shaking. “Relax, bud. He’s not going to rip your guts out.”