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It seems safe to say he’d be active within the warehouse district. He has to be holding the drugs he imports somewhere, even if it’s for a short time. But there are too many warehouses for me to go through by myself, and I would definitely draw attention to myself, something I most certainly do not want to do.

If the Hunter killed Travis for investigating him, I don’t doubt that I would meet the same fate if I’m caught, something that seems kind of inevitable.

I’m about to stand to get ready to head out when my phone vibrates.

I reach for it, fully expecting it to be Lucas with another unreasonable demand, but instead I find Orion’s name staring back at me.

Orion: Don’t forget about our date tonight.

Ember: Who is this?

I giggle to myself, shaking my head as I move into my bedroom and pull out a light summer dress. It’s too fucking hot to spend all day walking around the city, but I don’t have any other options. God, I miss how simple it was before I was too scared to set foot in any kind of vehicle. If I ever manage it again, I’ll never take it for granted.

Orion: Careful, brat. I’ll be there at 7.

Ember: Are you sure you don’t want me to meet you there?

Orion: I don’t like repeating myself, Little Flame. I don’t want you walking around by yourself at night.

A smile tugs at my lips of its own accord, and I press my hands to the heated cheeks. This man is going to be the end of me.

Ember: Okay, I understand.

Orion: What number is your apartment?

Ember: Why?

Orion: Because I asked.

Ember: Are you planning on stalking me or something?

Orion: Don’t tempt me. Now answer the question.

Ember: 307

Orion: Good girl. I’ll see you tonight.

Ember: See you tonight x

For the first time in my life, I feel like a giddy teenager about to go on her first date, and it’s impossible to wipe the smile off my face as I go about getting ready for my day.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

ORION

Islip my phone into my pocket and tug my mask over my face. I wanted to message Ember as soon as I woke up this morning, but I’m not ready for her to know just how obsessed I am with her.

If all the pieces were where they should be on the board, I wouldn’t hesitate to claim her. She’d already be moved into my penthouse, where I know she’s safe, and she’d be far, far away from her asshole boss.

But I still have some moves to make before I can claim my queen.

Killian steps up beside me and gives me a knowing look. “Couldn’t make it through the day?” he asks.

“No. I needed to know she was okay. Especially because you’re not tailing her today.”

He grunts his acknowledgment as we move to the back of the warehouse, where the truck is waiting for us. We’ve kept a close eye on the oxy since we realized it’s been going missing, but we’ve yet to figure out who’s behind it, just adding to the reasons it’s not safe to bring Ember into my orbit just yet.

There are four people waiting for us on the other side of the door. Two of the leaders of the Huntley family in San Francisco,one of their guards, and Callum, one of our staff members who loads and unloads trucks.