Page 13 of Hunted Temptation (Alpha Nights: Unlikely Heroes #4)

Chapter Twelve

ELODIE

My mouth opens wide at the sight that greets me. Not only is the condo spotless, but it’s also gorgeous. Like, beyond. It’s the most beautiful place I’ve ever seen. It’s not just nice… It’s luxurious.

The home I shared with my father was very nice. His furniture was expensive but very utilitarian. This place and everything in it is nothing less than exquisite. I don’t know where to look, and at the same time, I can’t stop taking it all in.

White granite countertops with deep movements of black and turquoise and flakes of gold in the kitchen. The cabinets are a rich wood with an overlay of deep brown staining and matte gold handles.

“Welcome to your home for now,” Vaughn announces.

“It’s stunning,” I whisper.

There is a moment of silence before I hear his voice, deep, rough, and absolutely sexy. “Yeah, it is.”

Turning my head, I look over my shoulder at him. His focus is on me and not anywhere near the furniture or the kitchen. Blinking, I clear my throat, unsure of how to respond. Pressing my lips together, I roll them a few times before I shift my attention back to the furnishings.

I walk toward the window and look down at the sidewalk below. It’s really a cute area. There are tree-lined sidewalks and even some people walking around. I’m not sure how long I’m people-watching before I feel warmth against my back.

I hold my breath for a moment, then let it out slowly when I feel Vaughn’s fingers curl around my biceps. He holds me, and I close my eyes, waiting, hoping that he’ll kiss me. I want his mouth on my body. I want his hands on me. I want him everywhere.

He puts me out of my misery. His lips touch the side of my neck, traveling down to my shoulder, and then I feel his tongue taste me. “I have some shit I need to do at the office,” he murmurs. “I’ll show you to your room and get you all set up before I go.”

I open my mouth to beg him to kiss me, to beg him for anything, but that doesn’t happen. Instead, he takes a step backward. Turning around to face him, I lift my gaze to meet his, and that’s when I see it. His expression is shuttered. My stomach sinks. My heart squeezes.

Vaughn jerks his chin, then I watch as he walks away from me. One step, then another. I know he wants me to follow, and I do, but without as much excitement as I just felt moments ago.

He steps into a room, and I immediately know it isn’t his bedroom before he even flips on the light. He points toward the bed, which has a white bedspread and white pillows placed neatly against the headboard.

“That’s the bed,” Vaughn murmurs as he continues through the room.

He flips on another set of lights that illuminate the bathroom. White marble countertops with matching floors greet me. It appears almost clinical, but it also has a comforting feeling. It’s definitely not in use, and maybe that’s what’s soothing about it, I don’t know.

“Make a list of anything you need, and I’ll get it ordered for you when I get back.

I’ve already put in a grocery order, and it should be delivered when I return as well.

I ordered some lunch, which should be here any minute.

But this is your space,” he announces as he walks over to another door, pushing it open and flicking on another light.

It’s an empty closet. Well, almost empty. There are some pillows on the top shelf, some blankets and extra sheets, along with empty hangers.

“That’s a lot of ordering,” I point out as I continue to take in the space around me.

Clearing my throat, I chew on the corner of my bottom lip as I continue to take in everything around me. There is a television on the wall across from the bed and even a tall dresser beneath it, along with a nightstand on each side of the bed.

“I don’t shop when anything and everything I could want can just be brought to me.”

My lips curve up into a grin. I can’t help the smile because that’s who this man is. He is, without a doubt, someone who orders his food, clothes, and everything else. He is used to the finer things in life, that much is clear, and he enjoys them… thoroughly .

Before I can respond to his words, I hear the buzzer sound somewhere in the apartment.

Vaughn leaves me alone and walks toward the front door.

I hear his voice but can’t make out the words, then the door opens and closes, a lock flips into place, and he calls out my name.

He didn’t need to. He didn’t need to call for me.

I was listening.

Thankfully, he does, though, because just from his words, my feet become unstuck from the floor, and I move toward him. He's standing in his pristine kitchen, a couple of bags of food in front of him, the contents he’s already emptying onto the counter.

“Lunch is here,” he murmurs, continuing to empty the bags. When he’s finished, he clears his throat and jerks his chin down to the containers. “You want it on real plates?” he asks.

“I have a feeling you’re going to eat it on real plates,” I say.

His lips twitch into a smirk. “Yeah, I am.”

“Then sure. And I’ll clean up.”

Vaughn chuckles as he begins to plate the food. I don’t even notice what is on the damn thing. All I can do is focus on him. As we make our way over to his table, I sink down onto the seat. It is soft and luxurious, like everything else in the house.

I eat, though I don’t taste anything. I am so nervous about what happens next. He’s clearly already done with me. He’s shut himself down, and we’re both just rolling through the motions at this point.

He’s home, and I’m this little creature he’s saved. A pet he’s saved. A trinket to be put up on a shelf and forgotten about.

We eat in silence, Vaughn spending the time on his phone, and then he’s gone, and I clean up the lunch before I set up my room. Which doesn’t take long at all, considering all I have is a backpack full of stuff, half of which is dirty and needs to be washed.

VAUGHN

Leaving Elodie alone in the condo, I make sure to not only set all the cameras but also to arm the alarms. She won’t know they’re there, but I will, and I can see anything and everything she’ll be doing while I’m away.

Which is the main reason I put her in the guest room. My bedroom is the only part of my condo that isn’t monitored. I need to see her. Every fucking minute while I’m gone. I need to know that she’s safe.

And when she’s in the safe house, I’ll also be able to monitor her there… in every room, even the master. There is no square inch of the safe house that I can’t see from my phone, my computer, or the surveillance room at the office.

Driving the rental car to the exchange point for the last time, I switch out cars.

What a fucking rodeo this cross-country trip has been.

I didn’t expect any of this to happen, and I have a feeling that the guys are not only going to want to hear every detail but will also have plenty to add to the situation.

Once the cars have been switched, I sink down in the seat of my own car and let out a heavy sigh. Home. Comfort. Perfection. I didn’t think I would miss the luxury of my own car, but I did.

Starting the engine, I shift it into Drive and head straight toward the office. It doesn’t take me long to get there. I park in my usual spot and unfold from the vehicle, locking it as I walk toward the front door.

Using my key card, I step into the building, wait for the lock to latch into place, then continue up to the office space, where I know the guys are waiting for me. The meeting was called as soon as I told them what time I would be here.

They want everything. Every single piece of information I have, they want it. Although I think they’re entitled to everything I’ve discovered, even if it isn’t much, it’s more than they had before.

Plus, they have some information for me as well.

I gave them license plate numbers and pictures.

That asshole was important, more important than just some police chief of a midsize town.

I want to know who he was and what he was doing with Elodie.

I know what he wanted to do with her, but there is more to that, and I want to know everything I can about the whole situation.

The conference room is in full swing when I walk inside.

Lucille, Nadine, and even Colette are sitting around the long table.

There is some chatter, though I can’t make out any of the words.

The moment I walk through the door, the noise stops, the voices cease.

Everyone in the room turns to me, and all their eyes find me.

I can’t look at them, though. I don’t know what the fuck to say, to do.

Instead of saying anything, I make my way over to my normal chair and take a seat.

Theron is our unofficial leader. He stands, clearing his throat, and I watch as he places his palms against the smooth table, his eyes flicking between each of us until they land on me.

“Let’s begin this meeting with a warm welcome back to Vaughn. We’ve missed you.”

Everyone cheers, which is not only annoying but also embarrassing. Lifting my hand, I wave as I shake my head from side to side. Theron pats the table firmly a few times. It’s not a loud noise, but it’s enough that everyone goes quiet to wait for him to continue.

“We all know what Vaughn was doing. We know he brought someone back with him. Now, let’s get to the real shit. Who and what was happening in California, and what happens from now on,” he begins. Then he turns to Nadine, dipping his chin before he sinks down into his chair.

“Okay,” Nadine begins. “Lucille drained his accounts, and she’s moved the money into a holding account for Elodie until she is set up with her new identity, then we can move it over to her to use.”

I know it’s wrong. And I would never actually say the words aloud. But I do wonder what would happen if I just never told Elodie about the money sitting in an account waiting for her? What if I just kept that tidbit of information to myself… forever?

I’ve told her that it’s hers, but I haven’t told her when that would happen.

And I’m not sure I ever want her to have it.

Because if she does, she’ll walk away from me forever.

She’ll have her complete freedom, need me for nothing, and leave.

I want her to need me, and I know just how fucked up that sounds, even if I only ever think it to myself.

“She saw everything,” I state. “There was no way around it.”

I’m not sure if I’m trying to justify it to them, to myself, or what, but here the fuck I am, justifying it all the way and hoping that they accept my words for what they are. The truth, my excuses, whatever the fuck they are.

“I don’t think we need whatever the reasons are for her being here. We just need to figure out the next steps,” Merrick murmurs.

“Do you know who the stranger and the driver were?” I ask.

Nadine shifts uncomfortably in her seat before she clears her throat. But it’s Boden who begins speaking. “The man in the house was of little to no significance.”

“How is that?” I ask.

Boden stands, sliding a folder across the table toward me. I watch as he opens the folder, and I stare at the picture. The image of a man I don’t recognize. Except as I stare at the picture, I realize that I actually do recognize him… It’s the driver.

“This is the driver,” I state, repeating my thoughts.

I feel like a parrot, thinking then speaking the same thing.

But I am in shock, because this was not what I was expecting.

The man in the room was the one who was dressed as the man in charge.

He carried himself that way, too. To say I’m surprised that he’s not the one in charge is an understatement.

Boden shakes his head once, his gaze flicking up to meet mine. “He might have been driving, but this is the man who was in charge.”

“He sent the other one in as a decoy. A test,” I point out the obvious, but my brain is still working, wrapping around what the fuck is going on here.

“Yeah,” he murmurs.

“Fuck,” I hiss. “So who the fuck is that?”

“That man slumped over in the driver’s seat is the state comptroller.”

Holy. Fuck.