Page 45 of Deceptive Desires (The Syndicate #2)

Cecilia

“Yes. Sorry. I’m just trying to listen,” I murmur under my breath, not really caring if she hears me.

A ringtone sounds, and I almost pass out from the shock. I check my phone frantically trying to turn off the sound.

But it’s not coming from my phone.

It’s coming from the hallway.

Right outside my door.

My heart stops. He’s right there. Right outside my door. Mere feet away from discovering me. I hold my breath, scared he can sense me breathing.

I hear a male voice curse, then pick up the call. I can’t make out what he says, but he’s off the phone in less than a minute. I hear his heavy footsteps trailing down the hallway, through the living room… and out the front door.

The apartment door slams shut, and silence falls.

“Miss? Did you hear me? Officers will arrive on scene in twelve minutes,” she says kindly.

“Oh, uh… They don’t need to come anymore. I think… I think he just left?” The end sounds more like a question since I’m still confused by his retreat.

Did he really leave?

Just like that?

Could the universe really be looking out for me that well?

“No, miss. We’re still coming to the scene. Do not leave the closet until an officer finds you. He could still be there. And we don’t know the state of your apartment,” she explains, and it makes sense.

So, I stay put.

I sit in silence, still on the line with the operator, waiting for the cops to save me when the front door creaks open.

I hold my breath as icy tendrils shoot down my spine.

He’s back.

He’s here to finish what he started.

I hear lighter footsteps beeline straight to my bedroom. There’s no hesitation in them. He knows exactly what he wants.

My bedroom door breaks open, and I stifle a whimper, slapping my palm over my mouth.

I shrink back further into my clothes, even as those light steps walk right up to my closet door.

Tears well in my eyes, and one slowly slides down my cheek.

My closet door opens, but I don’t move. I don’t open my eyes. I don’t think. I don’t breathe.

I know he’s here. I know he’s found me. I know this isn’t a fight I’ll win.

But I can’t open my eyes and look at him, knowing the fate that awaits me.

Warm, calloused hands grab me, scooping me from the floor, and more tears drip down my cheeks.

“Shhh, sunshine. It’s okay. It’s just me. I’ve got you,” Roman’s smooth voice consoles me.

I open my eyes to see his brown ones staring right into mine.

“Hero! Oh, my hero! You’ve saved me!” I cry out hysterically.

I bury my head into his shoulder and finally allow myself to break. I sob into his neck. Even knowing that I’m drenching his shirt, I can’t stop. I can’t care in this moment.

Because he’s here.

Roman is here.

To save me.

As he always does.

As he always will.