Page 34 of Ruthless Commander

Want to meet…

I lowered my cell and glanced at the building as the guard walked at my side. There wasn’t anyone else outside. It was like they’d all left and even though I knew they hadn’t, it still felt lonely as hell. I punched out a reply:Okay.

Damien: I finish my shift in an hour, wait for me where we met before?

I licked my lips as the guard stepped up to the building door and opened it, leaving me to walk through.

Okay, see you then.

In an hour it was going to be much darker. Gray skies already threatened the island and in the last few hours the wind had picked up, turning the idyllic good time into a moody, bloody affair. Maybe I should just go home.

I lifted my gaze to movement heading toward me and caught sight of Mateo, striding as he stared into his phone, flanked by guards on either side. My heart lunged, slamming against my chest as he lifted his gaze to me. And all of a sudden, the world around me faded into nothing.

We were back there in that elevator…

Back in that apartment.

Back in that bubble where only we existed.

But then in an instant, he was gone, leaving me behind with long strides. I heard the grating metal howl of the door before it thudded closed once more. He was dangerous in that moment. Cold. Savage. Not the man I knew, but the man I knew of. I glanced over my shoulder, watching him stride away without a backward glance.

That hurt…more than it should.

I went to class and thought about him. If I thought I'd had it bad being locked in the apartment, I couldn’t imagine what it must feel like to be in his shoes right now. Not only was Baldeon shot before he got here, he was also tortured and murdered right under Mateo’s nose.

The Commission would be baying for blood.

I knew that for a fact.

Hardly anyone was in the class, and no one was really listening to the instructor, some former FBI guy. Still, he kept speaking, kept trying to engage those he could. This was a total waste of my time. By the time it was over, we were already walking toward the door. I looked around, catching Finley glancing my way. He gave a nod and a weak smile. Christ, he looked bad. Then again, he was there not long after they'd found Marcus. I took a step toward him, but saw him shake his head.

No, that’s right. We can’t be seen as weak.

Then he turned and left. By the time I stepped out and met my guard’s gaze, everyone else who’d come to class was already gone.

“I got this, Ty.”

I jerked my gaze to the hallway, watching as Damien strode toward us. Panic filled me for a second as I glanced back to the first guard.

“Blake,” he muttered.

“I think the Commander is looking for more guys to search the far side of the island.”

The protective guard just scowled. “I didn’t hear anything. I can’t really leave my post…”

Blake gave a shrug. “That’s why I’m here. Got nothing else to do. I’m sure Ms. Davies won’t mind, will you?”

He swung that glinting stare my way. “No, of course not,” I answered. “Gotta do what the Commander says.”

The guard scowled, then gave a slow nod. “If you’re sure.”

I just gave him a smile and waited awkwardly.

He left in a hurry, his thick thighs flexing as he lengthened his stride, then he was gone…leaving us alone.

Damien swung that careful glance my way. “Well, that was easier than I expected.”

“Aren’t you worried about being seen?” I muttered and nodded toward the camera.