“Where is he now?” I demanded, my voice dropping to a deadly whisper.
“Looks like he’s in Jersey, boss,” Riley replied. “Or he was a week ago, if his bank statements are telling the truth. That’s not all though…” he trailed off, muttering something to himself. “He’s been in and out of NYC.”
He was looking for her.
“Thanks,” I muttered, ending the call.
I turned back to Jade, who stood frozen, her arms wrapped around herself like a shield. It didn’t sit right with me… it looked too much like the girl who begged me for a job a few months ago.
“Evan Hunt,” I said, watching the way her face paled at the name. “You’ve been running from him, haven’t you?”
Her eyes widened, panic flashing across her features. “You don’t understand—”
“I understand plenty,” I cut her off, my voice a low rumble. “You’ve been hiding, lying, and trying to handle this on your own. And now he’s close. Too close.”
She shook her head, taking a step back. “You can’t fix this, Damian. He won’t stop—”
I grabbed her shoulders, forcing her to look at me. “He won’t touch you again,” I said, my voice like steel. “But you have to tell me the truth this time, sweetheart.”
Her laugh was bitter, her gaze dropping to the floor. “You don’t get it. You can’t keep me safe, Damian.”
My grip tightened, and I leaned in, my face inches from hers. “Then you’ll stay here until you change your mind.”
Her head snapped up, her eyes blazing with fury. “You don’t get to decide that!”
“I already have,” I said firmly, my tone brooking no argument.
Jade tried to push past me, her hands shoving at my chest, but I didn’t budge. The defiance in her was intoxicating, fueling something dark and possessive inside me.
“You’re not leaving,” I said, my voice dropping to a dangerous growl.
Her hands slammed against my chest again, this time out of frustration rather than force. “You can’t just—”
I cut her off, my lips crashing down on hers in a kiss that silenced her protests. She froze for a moment, and then she melted, her resistance crumbling as I claimed her mouth. My hands slid down to her waist, gripping her tightly as I backed her toward the bed.
“Damian,” she gasped against my lips, her voice a mix of anger and desperation.
“Tell me to stop,” I challenged, my voice rough as I nipped at her bottom lip. “If you don’t want this, say the word, and I’ll stop.”
She didn’t say it. Instead, she pulled me closer, her fingers tangling in my hair as her body pressed against mine.
I pushed her onto the bed, following her down and pinning her beneath me. My hands roamed her body, claiming every curve, every inch as mine. She’d figure it out eventually.
Her breaths came in soft pants, her body arching into my touch as though it couldn’t help but respond.
“You’re mine now, Jade,” I murmured against her skin, my lips trailing down her neck. “Every part of you.”
Her fingers clawed at my back, her head tipping back as a soft moan escaped her lips. “Damian…”
Her body yielded to me even as her mind resisted. I knew I’d do whatever it took to keep her safe—to keep her with me.
Because Jade Calloway wasn’t just someone I wanted.
She was someone I couldn’t live without.
Jade trembled beneath me, her body both resisting and yielding as if caught between fight and surrender. The fire in her eyes had dimmed to something softer, more vulnerable, but I could still see the battle raging inside her. She wanted to believe me—wanted to trust me—but I’d shattered that fragile connection we had before.
I couldn’t afford to make that mistake again.
