Page 10

It wasn't even the type of killing she could have been persuaded to believe was self-defense.

It was an execution, and she witnessed every second.

She shouldn't have fucking been here.

My jaw tightened as I considered the options.

I'd killed men for far less than what she'd witnessed.

Part of me wanted to keep her alive just to watch her break under my control. The other part knew that breaking the rules for this woman might cost me everything I'd built.

Last month, when I noticed she was working late by herself, I'd stationed two of my most trusted men nearby. Not that she knew. But I'd made sure she got to her car safely, watching from the window as she drove away. I told myself it was just to protect a company asset.

I was lying to myself even then.

Finding it hard to concentrate.

And now, the way she tried to run from me made my cock hard.

She’d made herself prey.

Fuck, I loved prey.

I tracked her to one of the office spaces, a large room filled with cubicles. The lock on the door was no barrier—one solid kick and it splintered open.

There had always been something so appealing about the chase; the adrenaline, the power, the raw intensity was just so appetizing.

This little kitten was begging to be chased down, to be hunted.

"You can't hide from me," I called out, my voice slicing through the darkness. "I've been watching you for weeks. I know your every move."

I advanced slowly, my footsteps deliberate.

Each aisle a new hunting ground in my methodical search for her.

"Did you think I didn't notice you?" I continued. "The way you avoid the east wing after ten. How you always double-check that the executive bathroom is empty before cleaning it? The little sandwiches you sneak from the cafeteria when you think no one's looking?"

The desks weren't that deep. I spotted her almost immediately, her fair skin caught in a shaft of moonlight angling across the floor to where she sat huddled in a cute little ball.

I could've gone straight to her, but where was the fun in that? I wanted to savor this.

"I've known your real name for weeks, Alina," I called as I walked down her aisle, catching the way her body trembled harder with each step I took. "Did you think that silly fake name would protect you? Nothing protects you from me."

For the second time tonight, her perfume would havegiven her away as I neared her hiding spot even if I hadn’t already seen her. A light and fresh fragrance, but tainted now with the sharp, almost salty scent of fear. It was intoxicating.

Finally I stopped in front of the desk she was under, dropped to my haunches, and leveled my gaze on her. "Either come out willingly or be dragged out. The choice is yours."

I gave her a moment to realize how fucked she really was.

Literally.

There was no escape. No place to run or hide.

I could practically see her thoughts racing, calculating odds, searching for options.

It was fascinating, the way hope drained from her eyes when she realized there was only one way this night would end. With her surrender.

She hesitated, then uncurled herself and got onto her hands and knees.