Page 38 of Claimed Gem

He’d tattled on her, and Ries had looked at her coldly and demanded that she not try anything so foolhardy again. She was being kept inside for her own protection and she needed to stop trying to get herself injured or killed.

She finished packing up her clothing and decided she might as well pack up her bathroom items, just in case an opportunity to leave tonight presented itself. Perhaps when Carlos was busy talking to Ries in the evening, it would be her chance. She squatted down to look under the bed, spying the small matching carryon bag pushed back in the far corner.

She ended up having to lie down on her belly to reach the strap, her heart hurting as each moment drew closer to the time she would need to leave.

She paused for a moment, there on the floor, lecturing herself that this had to be done. For the sake of both of their hearts.

17

Ries stepped off the elevator,breathing a sigh of relief at being home and not having to look over his shoulder for another minute.

He was tired of having to leave the apartment each morning, only to spend hours riding around in the limo, or sitting in a safe location as deemed so by Chris, hoping that someone would find this Angelo person, or better yet, Dmitrius and put an end to this horrible situation.

He was tired of sitting in the limo and told Chris to take him back to the apartment. He wasn’t sure how he was going to keep Stephanie at an arm’s length but he missed her and wanted to spend time with her.

He kicked his shoes off at his bedroom, slightly disappointed to find that she wasn’t in the living area. He headed for the bedroom she’d been using and then stopped in the doorway, anger and fear causing him to clench his fists and growl her name. “Stephanie! Where are you?”

He heard a shuffle from the other side of the bed, a muttered oath of pain, and then she was pushing herself up with her hands on the mattress. She rubbed her head and glared at him, “What are you doing home?”

Seeing her suitcase lying on the bed, he knew she’d planned to leave. The knowledge was like a knife in the heart. He thought they’d had something real – something permanent.

The assassins had probably seenher, and knew that she had saved him. If she walked out onto the street, and was shot or abducted...

The image of Stephanie bleeding on the pavement was the only thing he could see.

He stalked toward her, fury making his voice much harsher than he’d intended. “What in the name of Zeus do you think you’re doing?” he shouted.

Stephanie crossed her arms over her chest and glared at him. “I think it’s pretty obvious. I’m leaving.”

“No, you’re not.” Ries mimicked her stance, crossing his arms across his muscular chest and daring her to challenge his authority. He almost hoped she would. “You don’t own me,” she shouted. “And frankly, I don’t care what you think anymore. I’m tired of being kept prisoner here and I’m done.”

“I haven’t been keeping you prisoner! I’ve been keeping you safe from a syndicate ofassassins. Stop talking nonsense,” he growled at her.

“What would you call keeping me in this apartment for well over a week and refusing to let me step one foot out of the building?”

“I’ve been keeping you safe,” he repeated through clenched teeth. She was like a small child who wanted to run out into traffic. He admired her confidence and independence – but he didn’t admire anything that put her in danger.

His security team had found all sorts of information on Angelo, and the man wasn’t above abducting individuals close to his target in order to draw them out into the open. If Angelo caught Stephanie, Ries knew he likely wouldn’t be able to rescue her alive. No matter what he did.

“I can keep myself safe,” she spat back. “I’m only in danger because I was trying to save you to begin with.”

Another knife in his heart.

“You are not leaving.” He forced his voice to be cold, not passionate. If she thought she was getting his goat, it would only encourage her. “Unpack your things before dinner.” Ries turned on his heel, not even considering that she might defy him.

When a shoe hit him in the back, he whirled around to see her standing with her hands on her hips, and the light of battle in her eyes and on her face.

He picked up the shoe and then narrowed his eyes at her, “Did you just throw this at me?”

“Yes,” she told him defiantly, reaching out and picking up the matching shoe and drawing her arm back with the intent of hitting him in the chest with the next one.

Ries stalked toward her, warning her ominously, “I would think twice before throwing that second shoe.”

“Or what? What are you going to do? Spank me again?” she challenged him, fury making her shake as she defied him.

Ries huffed out a laugh and then nodded, “Don’t tempt me. Unpack your belongings and then come downstairs. I came home early to spend some time with you as I thought you might be getting bored.”

Stephanie stared at him and then dropped the shoe, her expression falling as she glared daggers at him. Ries frowned. Were those tears in her eyes?