Page 26 of Mated To My Boss

"Watch this." I make a left turn, heading away from our destination. Madeline keeps her eyes on the side mirror. "I don't see anything."

I check my mirror. "You're right, maybe I—wait, there it is!"

The car appears again, maintaining a careful distance but definitely following our route. I take another random turn, and soon the Buick follows.

"What the heck is going on?" she asks, her voice rising with tension. "Who is that?"

I notice how her face has paled, her knuckles white as she grips the edge of her seat. This isn't just concern—it's fear. Deep, visceral fear.

"I don't know," I say, "but I'm not going to let them chase us." I accelerate, making a series of quick turns until I'm certain we've lost our tail.

Madeline breathes, still looking behind us. "Do you think those were hunters?"

"Nope," I lie, not wanting to frighten her further. "Probably just people looking for someone to rob." But I'm not convinced by my own explanation. The precision of that tail, this wasn't random. Someone is tracking us.

I reach across and take her hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze. "We're safe now. You don't have to worry."

She takes a deep breath and nods, but I can feel her trembling slightly.

I drive us toward the hotel, constantly checking the mirrors for any sign of the Buick. The afternoon plans we'd made moments ago now feel distant, replaced by an immediate threat. But strangely, I find I don't mind.

Protecting Madeline has become my priority, trumping everything else.

When we arrive, I come around to her side of the car and open the door. She reaches for my hand immediately, and I'm struck by how natural it feels to keep her close.

"Come on," she says. "Let's get inside."

As we walk toward the hotel entrance, I take one more look around, scanning the street and parking lot.

My protective instincts are in overdrive, every sense alert for danger. Whatever's going on I’m going to make sure she’s not a target.

No one threatens my mate and gets away with it—regardless of what happens between us.

Chapter 10

MADELINE

I'm safe. I'm safe. I'm safe.

Nate standing in front of me is reassuring.

Once the hotel room door closes, I feel safe when he searches the street below, satisfied that they've lost our tail.

We take one look at each other and decide on something else to occupy our minds. I take a deep breath. My hands are still trembling slightly from the adrenaline of being followed.

"You're safe now," Nate says, reaching to place his hands reassuringly over mine.

I nod, trying to calm my racing heart. "I know. It just caught me off guard."

"Hey," Nate says gently, "I won't let anything happen to you."

The sincerity in his voice draws my attention to him. Despite the circumstances, there's something undeniably appealing about the way he's looking after me.

"Thank you," I say softly.

For what?"

"For caring enough to protect me."

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