Page 1 of Anton

PROLOGUE

ANTON DUPONT

LONDON - JUNE - CRUMBLING RESOLVE

Balancing the phone between my shoulder and ear, I studied the cornflour-blue sapphire and diamond earrings in my hand, their delicate sparkle hiding something far more practical. “Thanks for doing that. I’m still amazed you managed to get a tracker into something so small. You’d never know,” I told Marko, closing the box with a sense of satisfaction.

“My newest design,” he replied, a hint of pride coming through. “It’s soldered into the bezel holding the stones.”

“You’re a bloody genius, Marko,” I said, grinning.

“Thanks,” he chuckled, clearly pleased.

“I’ll send over a couple more watches next week for my new guys. Can you place the usual tracker in them? I’ll also want more of these mini ones for special cases,” I said, picturing how this would be perfect for Marcie’s protection.

“Limited edition only,” Marko reminded me, his tone serious. “Just for family and close friends. I don’t want thesefalling into the wrong hands, or us dealing with repercussions if our enemies catch wind of what we’re capable of.”

“Understood,” I replied, though the word had slipped out before I thought. “It would only be for Marcie anyway,” I admitted, feeling a twinge of something I tried not to think about.

Marko chuckled, amused. “Of course. By the way, her party’s in full swing. You’d better get a move on—I’m sure she’s looking forward to seeing you.”

“Not sure about that,” I muttered under my breath, adding more audibly, “I’ll be there soon.” Ending the call, I slipped the earring box into the gift bag.

Time to get going. I’d been delaying things long enough.

It was just a party—Marcie’s twenty-ninth birthday—but my hands shook slightly as I tugged at my shirt collar. After the way I’d acted the other night, I wouldn’t blame her if she didn’t want to see me. Rejecting her for the third time had probably sealed the deal. Damn my cautious heart. If I could just get past my issues, maybe I could let Marcie in. But the very thought made my stomach twist, bringing to mind unwanted images I spent my life trying to bury.

I really should keep my distance. But the pull she had on me was undeniable. Every time I was near her, my resolve wavered and I’d come close to giving in. I couldn’t let that happen, no matter how difficult it was.

Marcie Matthews had been under my skin since the moment we met almost two years ago. I’d only recently returned home from the military and was setting up my security business, specialising in personal protection. Marcie was one of my first clients. A rich arsehole had taken a liking to her and refused to take no for an answer. He stalked her and his harassment escalated to the point where she was too afraid to leave her house. The police hadn’t been able to do anything, as he hadn’ttechnically broken the law. In her desperation for help, Marcie turned to Derrick, her assistant, who knew one of my men, and he introduced her to me.

Marcie’s smile was the first thing I noticed, along with that fiery resolve to remain her bubbly, vivacious self, despite the fear in her eyes. That smile had stuck with me ever since, undermining my determination to keep things strictly professional. Keeping her safe and dealing with her stalker should have been straightforward, just business, but with Marcie, I soon realised that nothing between us would ever be that simple.

Having friends in common meant we often found ourselves in the same place, and that had only made things harder. Eventually, she admitted she had feelings for me. I’d told her then that we couldn’t be anything more than friends—that she deserved better than me. But it didn’t stop me from wanting her. Every part of me wanted her. But I’d sworn off relationships long ago, a choice that left no room for regrets—or risks.

Marcie wasn’t the kind of woman you could have a one-night stand with and walk away from. Even if she were, her feelings complicated things, making her off-limits. Not that it made it easier for me. In fact, the pull was stronger precisely because I felt the same way.

It had been months since I told her we couldn’t be more than friends, yet I kept finding reasons to stay close. I still checked on her stalker from time to time, making sure he was rotting in his cell, though I never let her know. I told myself it was for her safety, but deep down, I knew there was more to it.

The night that solidified my obsession was when we went out with her assistant Derrick to celebrate his engagement to Nick, one of my men. Drinks were flowing, and I drank more than I should have—more than I normally did. The alcohol loosenedmy resolve, and before I knew it, my lips were on hers. And like the first time I kissed her, I spurned her. Again.

Closing my eyes, I huffed a breath and shook my head. God, I was a bloody fool. Leading her on and hurting her feelings was never my intention, but something about Marcie kept pulling me back. I had my reasons for keeping my distance. Risking my heart wasn’t a mistake I planned to make again. Yet here I was, teetering on the edge, dangerously close to falling.

The gorgeous, sassy, and extremely sexy woman would rock my world if I let her. But I refused to go there.

I leaned against the edge of my desk, my fingers gripping the wood tightly. The room suddenly felt too small, suffocating, and her presence filled every corner of my mind. My chest tightened, a deep pull that wouldn’t loosen, and my jaw clenched against the roar of thoughts I couldn’t silence.

How much longer could I pretend I didn’t want her? And how long would she keep putting up with my dismissals before she finally walked away?Found someone else?The idea of her with another man hit like a punch to the gut, twisting and pulling me in two directions at once. I was trapped in a cycle of my own making—unable to push her away completely, or let her in.

Sighing heavily, I gave my reflection one last look in the mirror. The man staring back at me betrayed nothing of the turmoil churning beneath the surface. Good. I dragged a hand through my hair, fighting the unruly strand that always flopped over my eyes. In the forces, I’d kept it short—strict, efficient. Now that I was out, I’d grown it longer, trying to leave that life behind, but it meant dealing with this nuisance again. Marcie liked it, though; she said the way it fell over my eyes suited me. The thought made me smile, then scowl. Why couldn’t I last a bloody second without thinking about her?

A glance at my watch told me it was getting late. Time to stop putting things off and face the music.

If Marcie forgave me tonight for rejecting her again, I’d do everything in my power to keep my distance and protect her from afar, as I should have all along. If she didn’t forgive me, I’d still do it, but it wouldn’t be as easy. The thought that I might have hurt her beyond repair made me sick.

With a final tug at my shirt, I grabbed the small box and hurried to my car. Anticipation and resolve twisted in my gut, but beneath them lurked something darker—something I couldn’t ignore anymore. No matter what happened tonight, no matter how hard I tried to stay away, one truth burned through me: I was already too far gone.

The only question now was how long I could hold myself back before my resolve to keep her out of my heart crumbled to dust. And when it did, how the hell would I survive it?

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