Page 33 of Protected By the Sinner

“I couldn’t. Listen to me. Now more than ever, you need to stay with him.”

“I know.”

“I’m not finished. Stay with him, but don’t make the mistake of letting your guard down, Amber. Remember who we are. The only person we can trust is each other.”

I end the call and grip the phone tightly.

What are Beau’s men going to tell him?

I mean, he probably already thinks I approached him at the club just because he’s rich, but I don’t think he suspects I was sent to spy on him. If he did, I doubt I’d still be here.

I glance at the clock and realize there are only a few minutes left before the time Beau said he’d be back.

Do I have time to shower? I have no idea where we’re going or what I should wear.

Before I can move, the door to my suite opens, and the man I have no clue how to label in my life walks in.

There’s nothing friendly about his face.

Chapter 14

I’ve gotten used to being alone. Watching my own back.

There’s only one person I’d die for: the man who’s like a father to me, even if we keep that connection a secret from most people.

But when I was in the car heading here and got Roman’s call about the men who came after Amber, I realized maybe this situation is starting to spiral.

It was supposed to be about sex. I want to fuck her like I need my next breath, but there’s no way I’ll let myself feel protective over this woman.

She’s not mine.

So why the hell couldn’t I breathe until I got into the apartment and saw her sitting on the bed?

Her bed?

No.Mybed.Myhouse.

She’s a guest I need to keep a close eye on, who just so happens to be the woman I want more than I’ve ever wanted anyone.

Other than that, there’s no connection between us.

I repeated that to myself the entire drive.

She’s not trustworthy.

There’s something shady behind her sudden appearance in my life.

She’s lying about everything—or at least about a lot.

I worked that mantra through my head, and yet, now that I’m looking at her pretending not to be terrified, something inside me snaps.

I don’t want her to feel afraid. Amber is under my protection. She should be untouchable.

I had men watching over her, of course—I never leave anything to chance, and I figured she might try to disappear again. But it never crossed my mind that someone might try to take her. Because that’s exactly what would’ve happened if my men hadn’t stepped in.

They couldn’t identify her pursuers, because Roman’s security protocol is always defense before offense.

“Who were they?” My voice comes out hard, and I see her flinch, but I’m done playing games. Why don’t I just throw her out?