Page 28 of The Final Contract

He’s at my side instantly, snatching it from my hand, flipping it over, eyes sharp—already in guard mode, scanning the area.

“Anyone give this to you?” His voice is low, lethal.

“No. Of course not.”

“You’d tell me.”

“I would have told you,” I insist.

“Could it have been in there before the gym?”

I shake my head. “No. I got my gum out earlier. I would’ve seen it.”

I stop, mind racing back. “Someone bumped me on the way out. That group coming in?—”

He nods, jaw flexing, his thoughts clearly running the same track. His hand clamps lightly at my elbow, steering me firmlytoward the lobby. His voice rolls low, brash across my skin like it doesn’t belong in a moment like this.

“I’ll send for smoothies.”

But all I can think about is the envelope in his hand. The fact that my stalker was so close. Close enough to bump me. To slip something into my bag. Close enough he could’ve done anything.

Anything at all.

The fucker’s getting bolder.

Every move he makes, he edges closer to her, like he’s daring me to snap his neck in front of everyone.

I keep my expression flat, but inside the itch to break him open is alive and well. He thinks he can hover near her, breathe her air, brush her sleeve like it’s nothing. Like she didn’t belong to me the second I was assigned to guard her.

Not happening.

I slip a hand around her arm, steering her toward the elevators. My thumb rests against the inside of her elbow—not tight, not enough to scare her, but firm enough to remind her she isn’t walking alone.

I pull out my phone and Finn answers before the second ring. “We’re coming up. Anything today?”

“We’re all clear. No one’s been by. Mail’s light—gave it a once-over myself, dropped it on her counter. That’s all.”

“Good.” My voice is steel. “We’ll be up in a minute.”

I hang up and thumb out a text to Jaxon:

KILLIAN: Information incoming.

His reply pings back instantly—a salute meme. Typical. Cocky bastard.

The elevator button lights under my knuckle, and only then do I realize I’m still holding onto her. I let go, my hand falling heavy to my side. She rubs the spot like my grip left an ache.

She looks smaller. Not in the way she carries herself—she’s never anything less than commanding—but the way her shoulders tuck in, the way her gaze stays glued to the elevator floor. I know what’s running through her mind: the what-ifs. The fact that that asshole had been standing right next to her. Too close. Too much risk.

“Hey.” My voice cuts through the silence.

She hums, distracted, like she didn’t hear me but can’t bring herself to say so.

I reach for her chin, gentler this time, turning her face toward mine. Her skin is soft, cool under my fingers. “I won’t let anything happen to you.”

I hold her eyes, steady, unflinching, because she needs to believe me. Needs to know that whatever monsters circle her world, they’ll go through me first.

Her lips part just slightly, and after a beat she nods. She bites her bottom lip, and the motion drags my attention straight to her mouth. Fuck. Dangerous thought. Not mine to have. Not my line to cross.