Page 17

RICKY

I’ve heard enough. Red clouds my vision, and I snap.

That immature, manipulative shit. How dare Jackson threaten Aurora with his life?

It’ll work, too. She’ll cave for fear he’ll harm himself, and he might. He has in the past, and he’s desperate, at the end of his rope.

Doesn’t matter. I’ll wring his fucking neck.

I whip off my headphones and throw them onto the dash while reaching for the handle.

“No. No. No. You can’t?—”

I slam the door on Charlie’s words, and he follows me out of the vehicle, cursing. He catches up to my long strides as I approach the sidewalk across the alley.

He grabs the back of my shirt, breaking me from my murderous thoughts.

“Don’t do it. Don’t go barging in there. It’s not worth it.”

I spin around, shooting him a piercing glare. “Not worth it? When did we stop protecting people? This entire case was built on protecting women.”

He drops his hands to his sides. “For that very reason, we need him. We can’t take down Kyle without Jackson.”

A contemptuous sound escapes my throat, and I shake my head in frustration.

“You know it’s true. Think about it. If Jackson leaves, you don’t have justification to be here. We’re watching him , not her.”

Fucking hell, I hate that he’s right. Still… “He can stay, but he doesn’t get to abuse her.”

I resume my path through the building and up the stairs, taking them two at a time, Charlie grumbling in my wake.

At the door, he shuffles his feet and lowers his voice. “What are you going to do?”

He prefers to remain in the background, listening to surveillance, reviewing footage, tinkering with high-tech gadgets, and consuming copious amounts of caffeine. He’s not someone who seeks the spotlight. Plus, he rambles when he’s anxious.

“Introduce you and say I forgot something. Just stay quiet. Can you do that?”

Unfortunately for Charlie, he became my cover when Ethan grew suspicious of my affections for Aurora. It’s a terrible lie, but when I was put on the spot, being gay stumbled out of my mouth.

Ethan is possessive. He doesn’t mess around when it comes to what’s his . He tries to hide it, but his emotions burst out of him when his temper flares, and I couldn’t let his jealousy get me removed from Aurora.

Err, from the case. Whatever.

I was “hired” as Jackson’s bodyguard during public events. I’d hoped the position would lead to more private functions involving his father, but Jackson seldom acknowledged my presence, and the opportunity never arose.

When he asked me to provide security for his pregnant girlfriend, I eagerly accepted, despite knowing nothing about protecting a supermodel. It was my chance to gain his trust and collect evidence.

Along the way, Aurora crawled under my skin. I never expected her to tick all my proverbial boxes, ones I hadn’t even realized I had, such as caring for her. Who knew bringing food to someone you adored was so damn fulfilling? Not me, that’s for fucking sure.

I remained dedicated to my responsibilities as a special agent until the moment I allowed Kyle into Jackson’s penthouse. I anticipated overhearing their conversations or getting into Kyle’s good graces—anything that strengthened our case.

But when he harmed Aurora, something in me broke, and my loyalties shifted.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m fiercely devoted to seeing Kyle and his associates behind bars, but I won’t allow anyone to hurt Aurora, including her ex -boyfriend.

Jackson’s father is fortunate to be the focus of our investigation. If he wasn’t, I would’ve done much worse than dislocate his shoulder. His day of reckoning is coming soon—if we can get Jackson to cooperate, that is.

Charlie chews his bottom lip, his gaze fixed on the stairs, as if he’s planning to bolt. “This cover only goes so far. If you touch me intimately, I swear to God, I’ll throat punch you.”

I input the code into the keypad and resist the urge to roll my eyes. “That’ll compromise the case we’ve worked on for four years. Besides, you’re not my type,” I whisper.

When we enter, they’re standing in the living room, facing one another. Aurora is hugging herself, and Jackson is holding his hands in a gesture of prayer. Their heads turn, and it’s hard to bury my emotions with the tears in her eyes or the way she gravitates toward me.

Trembling, she wraps her arms around my waist and, despite my impulse to carry her out of here, I only furrow my brows and ask, “What’s going on?”

“Do you knock?” Jackson cuts in, not allowing her to speak.

I ignore him and cup her face in my hands. “You want him to leave?”

She shakes her head. “No. I’m fine.”

“Don’t lie to me.”

Agitated, he shifts his weight from foot to foot. “I’m not leaving. You’ll have to drag me out of here.”

I lose all my patience. “That can be arranged.”

Charlie squeaks behind me, and I tone it down a notch.

“She’s sick, and you need to chill the fuck out. I’m taking her to bed. Go cool off on the terrace.” Without another word, I guide Aurora into her bedroom and shut the door. “Climb up and lie down.”

She tugs off her hoodie, settles under the covers, then stares up at me. “I’m sorry. I hate being this way.” Her soft voice breaks, and I get to my knees next to the bed.

“What way?” I wipe away her tears with my knuckles.

Her lips quiver. “Weak. Needy.”

“You are not weak.” The corner of my mouth twitches, and I shrug. “Needy, maybe. You probably couldn’t survive on your own. What would you eat?”

She slaps my arm playfully. “Coffee.”

“See? It’s true.” I chuckle. “Do you even know where your phone is?”

“Umm…” She glances sideways. “Next to the bath—I think.”

I find it on the floor, underneath a towel. “You’re lucky you’re cute,” I say, handing it to her. “Do you want me to stay?”

She offers a gentle smile. “No, go enjoy your boyfriend.”

I want to tell her I’ll be right outside. All she has to do is call for me. “Text me. Are you sure you’re alright?”

“I’m—” Fine . She cuts herself off. “Why wouldn’t I be?”

Oh, I don’t know. Maybe because your ex is a controlling asshole and his father is involved in human and drug trafficking? Or because you pour all your energy into others, leaving yourself drained?

“Because you missed me. Obviously.”

On my way out, I hold myself back and only give Jackson one warning. “Whatever toxic shit you’ve got going on in your head—keep it there. If you’re not here to care for her, let someone else.”

He raises a taunting brow. “Like you?”

I exit before I strangle him or blow my cover.