Page 19 of Protected By the Sinner

I still don’t get why she ran so fast. If the plan was to get close to me, why bail before finishing the job?

If she ran out of fear, that makes her as smart as I suspected. Not just anyone could walk away untouched after the approach she pulled.

Lucky for her, I want her. I want to satisfy the violent craving she stirred in me and find out who’s really behind this setup.

Amber is just a piece on the board. I know enough about human nature to tell she’s not from my world.

But what’s driving her?

“Where is she?” I ask.

“In a motel in Richardson. Small town near Dallas. Didn’t go far.”

“Keep eyes on her. Don’t lose sight of her.”

“She’s on the move. Won’t stay in one place long.”

“Manage to find out anything about her finances?”

“If what’s in her bank account is all she has, she doesn’t have much.”

“Which means she can’t move around too often.”

“Exactly. So what do you want me to do? Be smart about this—I could get everything out of her quickly.”

“Not necessary. I’ll be back in Texas first thing tomorrow. Just make sure she doesn’t disappear.”

Dallas

The following day

The driver just pulled up in front of a rundown motel—like so many scattered across this country.

Roman said she doesn’t have many resources, but judging by this place, it’s even worse than I thought.

Somehow, the fact that she’s staying here pisses me off. Amber deserves better.

“I’m going in,” I tell my head of security over the phone.

“I sent a car ahead to check the place. It’s secure.”

I spot the vehicle he’s in, along with two others full of bodyguards.

He never leaves room for mistakes and told me he saw the hostess taking Amber to me that night at the club—but waited to let me decide how to handle it.

I open the car door, remembering what he told me after I landed. She hasn’t left all day and hasn’t ordered any food—which tells me she might be afraid of being discovered in her so-called hideout.

I knock on the door, and surprisingly, she answers right away.

Anticipation floods my body. Hunger and anger all tangled together.

I want to punish her for thinking she could fool me, and at the same time, slam her against the wall and lose myself in her.

Just like the first time I saw her, I’m struck by how beautiful she is.

She’s no longer wearing that provocative outfit from the club, just a simple strappy dress that falls to her knees.

Still perfect.