Page 45 of Midnight Danger

“Not happening, babe. Bubble will just have to go to therapy and tell them all about the times Mummy and Daddy had sex.”

Cassandra grinned up at me, her arms winding around my waist. “Are we planning on having sex multiple times?”

I bent and slid my arms under her ass to lift her. “Per night or in general?” I asked on my way to the bedroom.

Her giggle vibrated against my throat. “You’ll get bored of me and we’ll end up only having sex on birthdays and Christmas.”

I tossed her onto the bed and stood over her. “I’ll say this one last time, Cas. You’re it for me. I could have spent my life having endless affairs like Dad or in The Midnight Rooms. I choose you. Simple.”

“No one ever chooses me,” she whispered, propping herself up on her elbows.

I crawled on the bed, deliberately looming over her. “I’ve already followed you once, don’t make me do it again.”

She flushed, her eyes locking with mine. I had the tracker inserted into her ankle when she was still groggy from all the medication after her assault. There was no way she’d ever run or be taken again without me knowing.

“What if you run?”

My lips hovered over hers. “I’m not going anywhere,” I replied.

Cassandra wrapped her arms around my neck, hauling me down to her. I’d never wanted anything permanent until she walked into my life, but now I couldn’t envisage my world without her in the centre of it.

She’d arrived at the most turbulent era of my life with enemies starting to appear at every turn. A trickle of fear rippled down my back at the thought of anything happening to her. Nothing else mattered anymore except keeping her safe from the predators stalking me.

***

Chapter Sixteen

Cassandra

Megan and I were officially under house arrest. After much protesting, we were driven to work and picked up at the end of every day. Both of us carried a personal alarm and I was sure the new guy downstairs on the security desk had been put there by Xavier.

Before my abduction, I would have felt suffocated; now I was glad that someone was watching over me. Perspective was a pair of glasses everyone should wear before they judged others. Much to Xavier’s displeasure my ring was in my handbag. It pissed him off even more that Jordan accompanied Megan and me to buy new trousers and skirts since I no longer fit into my office clothes. I would have to announce my pregnancy soon.

“I’m leaving for my medical appointment, Sasha,” I said from the door as I left for the day. My scan was in half an hour and Xavier was waiting for me in the carpark.

“Are you feeling okay, Cas? You’ve been very quiet lately.” She stared at me with motherly concern, since she’d semi-adopted me since I arrived here.

“Yeah, I’m still not feeling great after that cold and then the fall.” That fake smile I’d perfected over the years appeared on my lips. “Honestly, you need to stop worrying.”

I waved and used the back elevator down to the carpark. Xavier tended to use his Jaguar when he drove me around since it was bigger inside than some of his other cars. The glass made it impossible to see who was inside. I slid in without knocking, and he was in the middle of a full argument on the phone.

“I don’t give a fuck who they are. If they come near me or anyone I care for, tell them I’ve got a bullet with their name on it. I don’t take threats lightly.” He hung up, face tight with anger. I jumped when he slammed his fist into the steering wheel.

Xavier groaned. “Sorry, baby. My world is a shit storm at the moment. You were meant to text on your way down.”

I stared at him wordlessly because I rarely saw the aggressive Xavier. His emotions pulsed off him in waves that made me feel shame. I’d been so wrapped up in my own problems, that it never occurred to me to ask why everyone was living in our building or what the repercussions about Malcolm were.

“Let’s go to the doctor and then when we get home, you can tell me all about what’s been happening.”

He sighed and leaned his head back against the headrest. “There’s nothing for you to worry about. I’m just trying to balance a few things at the moment.”

I slapped his arm and glared at him. Xavier turned to face me with his eyebrows raised. “If you want me to live in your world and wear your ring, then you’ll damn well tell me what the fuck is going on.”

His gaze roved over my face even as his shoulders stiffened.

“You have to let me in, Zee. Where’s the man who could tell me anything in the dark? I need that man right now because I’m frightened.”

His hand cupped my cheek. “I need to keep you safe.”

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