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“Done.”

“Uh, okay,” she stammers, a nervous laugh escaping. “I’ve never had such an easy sale before.”

“Then you’ve never met a man desperate enough,” I mutter under my breath.

Desperate enough to be near the one woman I can’t have. Desperate enough to make sure no one else touches her.

I close my eyes briefly, cursing myself. If it wasn’t for her family, things would be different. And I sure as hell wouldn’t be spending thirty million on a house I’ll barely use just to be near her. But that’s the price I have to pay for a past I can’t change. And sometimes, that past fucks with your future in ways you never expected.

“Did you say something, sir?” She glances over her shoulder, her eyes flicking to mine.

“I want the keys. Today.”

Her unease echoes in the otherwise silent air. “I’m afraid that’s not possible. There are still things I have to finalize before I can?—”

I step forward, crowding her personal space, my voice low and lethal. “Ms. Rivers, right?”

She tips her chin up defiantly. “That’s right.”

“Well, Ms. Rivers, you’re going to make it happen. I’m not leaving here without those keys. Do we understand each other?”

Fear flashes in her eyes for the briefest moment, but she quickly hides it behind a forced smile.

She pulls at her bright pink suit jacket, fidgeting as she clears her through. “I’ll see what I can do. It’ll only take a moment to call the owners. I’m sure they’ll understand, given the nature of the transaction.”

Thenatureshe’s talking about is cash. Cold, hard cash. I already have the money in the car. I need this done—fast. I can’t wait weeks to keep an eye on Dinara, especially after what she said. That she might’ve been with someone else.

A growl escapes my throat before I can stop it, and her eyes widen in surprise.

“Something in my throat,” I mutter, trying to sound casual.

“Oh…okay,” she stammers, backing away with a shaky grin. “I’ll be right back.”

I watch her scurry off, my gaze distant.

The thought of Dinara being next door fills me with a dark sense of satisfaction. There are acres of land between us, but that won’t stop me. It actually makes it easier. I can watch her without ever being noticed. I can track her every move, whether she’s alone or with someone else.

I didn’t hesitate when this property became available. I offered above asking just to secure it. It’s perfect. There’s nothing she’ll do that I won’t see. Nothing she can hide from me.

She won’t even know I’m here.

If I can’t have her, no one can. And that’s all there is to it.

A few minutes later, the woman returns, looking pleased.

“Good news, Mr. Quinn. The seller agreed to your stipulation. Once I have the funds and the papers are signed, I can hand you the keys. The rest will be finalized on my end.”

“Good.” A cold smile tugs at my lips.

Now the real fun begins.

* * *

I’m parked a safe distance away, the binoculars steady in my hands as Dinara steps out of her house. Two men flank her, but I don’t need to see their faces to know they’re her bodyguards. I pull out my phone, my fingers tight as I call Grant.

“Cillian, what’s up?”

“I need a favor,” I mutter.