Page 96 of Once A Villain

She doesn’t wake, but her body tenses slightly.

I need to stop this.

I rise, lifting her easily. Her body is light, her head against my shoulder, her breath warming my skin. I carry her to the bed, laying her down. The marks I left—bruises, bites—stand out on her skin.

I pull the blanket over her and step back.

Fuck, I’m losing my goddamn mind.

The next morning,the phone’s shrill ring drags me from sleep. I fumble for the damn thing, squinting against the glare.

“Yeah?”

“Hawthorne—Vegas. I need you there now.” Isaac’s voice is clipped, taut with urgency.

“When do I leave?”

“Immediately. Intel’s hot and won’t stay that way long. I need this fucking bastard dead.”

“Understood,” I grunt, dragging a hand through my disheveled hair. “I’ll be there.”

After a brisk shower, I’m swiftly dressed and prepared to depart. But first, there’s a conversation I need to have with Rory. I’ve tightened security while she’s been away, and she needs to stick to a strict schedule until I return. I’m the Dolore target, but that doesn’t mean I’m leaving her vulnerable.

I head downstairs, stride to her bedroom door, and raise a hand to knock. Before I can, the door flies open, and Rory barrels into me, eyes wide with surprise. Her earbuds are in, and she stumbles against me. I catch her, steadying her with a firm grip as she blinks up at me.

“Jesus!” she yelps, yanking out her earbuds. “You scared me.” She pushes off my chest and steps back, irritation flashing in her eyes. “What the hell are you doing lurking outside my bedroom?”

“Lurking? That’s a bit melodramatic, don’t you think?”

“Well, what are you doing?”

She’s dressed in the tiniest running shorts I’ve ever seen and a sports bra.

“Enjoying the view.” My eyes travel over her, the sight of her toned body causing a stirring in my cock. She crosses her arms over her chest and rolls her eyes. “Where are you going?”

“On a run. Or was that not obvious?” Her feisty little attitude makes me want to bend her over and spank her ass.

“I need to talk to you,” I say, taking a step toward her.

She backs up, and the door closes.

“No,” she retorts. “You need to get out of my way.”

“Rory. I need you to listen.” She huffs at my serious tone and crosses her arms. “I’m leaving for a mission. There are rules you need to follow.” Her eyes narrow, her expression hard. “I’ve arranged for a different vehicle for you—a Range Rover. That’s the only one you’ll drive. It’ll be parked outside.”

“What? Why?” She frowns, clearly puzzled. “I like my car.”

“I don’t have time to explain,” I snap. “Just don’t go anywhere without clearing it with Griffen first. You’ll be under surveillance, and if you break the rules, I’ll know immediately. Trust me—you won’t like the consequences.”

I brace for her usual defiance. But instead, something shifts—her expression softens, catching me completely off guard. “So, it’s true...There are people after you?”

Figures. Spencer or Conrad must’ve have said something. And I can guarantee neither of them had the balls to admit that all of this is Conrad’s fucking fault. Not that it matters if she knows the truth.

“It doesn’t matter,” I say, my tone dismissive, cutting off any further questions.

She doesn’t need to know there’s a target on my back, or that her father and Spencer are scrambling like limp useless dicks, trying to contain the shitstorm he’s caused.

“How long will you be gone?”

---