Page 29

If he only knew how impossible that order would be to follow.

Chapter 6

Bound by Secrets

Ezekiel

My black sedan idles in the shadows across from the precinct, engine purring quietly. I watch the front doors through tinted windows from the backseat, my jaw clenched tight. Eli sits alert in the driver’s seat, hands resting loosely on the wheel.

“Here she comes, boss.” Eli’s deep voice breaks the silence.

Eve emerges into the late afternoon sun, her dark curls catching the light. Even from here, I see the exhaustion in her shoulders, the stress of the day dragging at her steps. My chest tightens. I hate what I’m about to do, but she has left me no choice.

I give Eli a short nod. “Do it.”

He exits smoothly, his tall frame unfolding from the car with practiced grace. I watch through the windshield as he intercepts Eve on the sidewalk, keeping his voice low. Her whole body goes rigid, head snapping up to scan the street until her gaze lands on our car. Even through the tinted glass, the heat of her glare burns.

Eli places a gentle but firm hand on her elbow, guiding her toward us. She doesn’t fight him. Smart woman. She knows better than to make a scene outside her own precinct—but everyline of her body radiates fury. The car door opens, and she slides in beside me, bringing with her the scent of coffee and something floral.

“What the fuck, Zeke?” she hisses, keeping her voice low as Eli returns to the driver’s seat.

I don’t answer immediately, drinking in the sight of her. The fire in her emerald eyes, the flush of anger on her cheeks, the way her chest rises and falls with quick, sharp breaths. Christ, she’s beautiful when she’s pissed.

“Drive,” I tell Eli, still holding Eve’s gaze. “We need to talk, love. Somewhere private.”

“Don’t call me that,” she snaps, but she doesn’t try to leave. We’re past the point of avoiding this conversation.

Eve’s furious eyes bore into mine. “What do you think you’re doing?” Her voice trembles with rage but the fire in her eyes tells me she’s not all that upset to see me. “You can’t just show up at my workplace and force me into your car like some goddamn mafia thug.”

The accusation stings more than it should. I keep my expression neutral, though my fingers itch to reach for her. “I didn’t force you anywhere, love. You walked over and got in all on your own.”

“Like I had a choice?” She lets out a harsh laugh. “Your mountain of a bodyguard was going to what—let me just walk away?” Her eyes flick to Eli in the front seat. “No offense.”

“None taken,” Eli rumbles, keeping his eyes on the road.

“He would have respected your wishes,” I say, though we both know it’s not entirely true. I wouldn’t have let her walk away. Not with what’s at stake.

“Bullshit.” She shifts away from me, pressing herself against the door. The distance between us feels like miles. “You’re just like Ryan, thinking you can control everything I do.”

The comparison to her abusive ex-husband hits me like a physical blow. “I am nothing like that bastard,” I growl, anger slipping through my careful control. “I’m trying to protect you.”

“I don’t need your protection.” Her voice rises sharply. “I’m a cop, Zeke. I can take care of myself.”

“Can you?” I lean closer, lowering my voice. “Because right now, there’s a price on your head, and your badge won’t mean shit when they come for you. You have no idea what these people are capable of.”

She flinches at my words but doesn’t back down. God, her stubbornness both infuriates and arouses me. “And whose fault is that?” she demands. “You’re the one who told them I was your fiancée without even asking me.”

“Pardon us, Eli.” I reach for the button to raise the divider between the front and back seats. “I need some privacy with my fiancée.”

As soon as the tinted divider closes, I grab her hips and pull her onto my lap. She gasps as I position her legs on either side of mine, bringing her core flush against my growing hardness. My hands slide down to squeeze her ass, drawing a soft whimper from her lips that goes straight to my dick.

Fuck, I want this woman. It’s been far too long since I heard her cries as I thrust deep inside her. My body burns with the memory of how perfectly she fit beneath me, her legs wrapped tight around my waist while I claimed every inch of her. The year we spent apart has done nothing to diminish my craving for her sweet surrender.

Her chest presses against mine, our hearts thundering in sync. The warmth of her body seeps through our clothes, igniting every nerve ending. When she moans, the sound vibrates through me, awakening primal urges I’ve fought to keep buried.

I lean in close, my lips hovering just above hers. Her breath comes in short pants, sweet and warm against my skin. But Ican’t kiss her. Kissing Eve is like playing with fire—one taste and I’ll be consumed. Instead, I trail my lips down her neck, nipping and sucking at her sensitive flesh. Her skin tastes like vanilla and sin.

“Zeke.” She protests weakly, pushing against my chest. But I tighten my grip, keeping her firmly in place. Her resistance is half-hearted at best—we both know she wants this as much as I do.