Page 109 of Nails

“Thanks,” Adam said, nodding to Dima, who turned and disappeared back into the surveillance room without another word.

Riley’s mind raced.

Adam held the drive between two fingers, admiring it as if it were a casual afterthought.“Excuse me a moment,” he said.“I just need to drop this off in my office.”

Before he turned away, she touched his arm gently.“Actually, while you do that, do you mind if I run downstairs to the ladies’ room?I meant to use it before we came upstairs.”

Adam looked over at her, paused, then smiled again.“No need to go all the way down.Use mine.”

Hook, line, and sinker.

“Are you sure?”she asked, feigning hesitation.

“Of course.Come on.”

He turned and unlocked his office.When the door opened, he gestured for her to step inside first.

Riley’s heart was pounding now, but she kept her expression composed.

She stepped inside, and Adam closed the door behind them and pointed across the room.“Bathroom’s through there.”

“Thanks,” she said softly, walking in the direction he pointed.

But her focus was divided.She watched out of the corner of her eye as Adam crossed the room toward the wall that the TV hung from.Her breath caught when she saw him squat down and open a cabinet tucked beneath it.

She caught a glimpse of his hand reaching inside.That’s his drop spot.Please tell me the guys are getting all of this.

She turned into the bathroom and gently shut the door, her fingers trembling just slightly as she locked it behind her.

She lingered for a few minutes, counting slowly in her head, then flushed the toilet for show.She washed her hands and dried them slowly, giving him time to finish his task.

When she stepped back into the room, Adam was leaning against his desk, waiting.

He smiled as she approached, but something shifted in his gaze.

Before she could fully register it, he reached for her, wrapping an arm around her waist and pulling her against him.

Her body went stiff.

“What are you doing?”she asked, keeping her voice even, trying to lean back without making it obvious.

“I can’t keep watching you walk around looking like that and not touch you,” he murmured.“You’re beautiful, Riley.And I’m done pretending I don’t want you.”

Before she could say a word, he leaned in and kissed her.

Hard.Possessive.Claiming.

It was nothing like the kiss she’d shared with Nails.This kiss wasn’t about affection or connection.It was about ownership and control.

She wanted to recoil.Her stomach twisted in disgust.But she didn’t move.She let it happen.

Don’t blow your cover.Just get through it.

When he finally pulled back, his eyes were dark and burning with pride.

“That was worth the wait,” he said quietly, brushing his thumb along her bottom lip, fixing what little lip gloss remained.“You’re mine now.”

The words echoed like a threat disguised as affection.