Page 143 of Rush the Edge

I sigh.

That they are.

Forty-Eight

KANE

I adjustmy tie in the mirror and see my phone lighting up on the bed. I’m certain it’s another text from my little devil, telling me once again that she isn’t going to the charity function as my date, but she is.

She’s worried about River, and I should be too, but what he doesn’t know won’t kill him. If he questions it, I’ll feed him the same excuse I’m going to feed Daisy: She’s the Blue Devils’ mascot, and it’s required that she gowithan escort. Sure, I had to talk Cindy into that bit, but it worked.

Hence the reason I purchased…with Reese’s help…three dresses the same shade of blue as her mascot costume.

I’m eager to see which one she picked out and even more eager to strip it off of her.

I’m so fucked.

River’s reaction wasn’t quite what I’d hoped for, and now I’m not only in a state of denial, but there’s a twinge of wrongdoing lingering in the back of my head too.

After running my hand through my hair and fixing the collar of my shirt, I shrug my suit jacket on and swipe my phone.

I don’t bother looking at her text, because regardless of her refusal, she’ll be by my side tonight.

The ride down to her floor takes longer than I’d like.

My hands itch to touch her. It’s only been forty-eight hours, but the way I crave her drives me insane. Games on the road were never a bother to me because I’d get to explore the city after and usually end up with someone in a bar bathroom, but now the thought of sleeping in a building that isn’t shared with Daisy makes me impatient and irritated.

I rap my knuckles on her door and glance at the camera in the corner of the hall. The red light blinks and calms me.

It’s not that I’m a stalker or creep, though it does feel sort of controlling in a sense. I’m possessive, yes, and there’s a jealous surge that winds through me when it comes to Daisy, but this is none of those things.

This is for protection.

River had one thing right: I am protective over Daisy.

When Miles was assaulted and moved in with me to hide—orrecover,if you ask him—I installed cameras outside of my apartment door as a safety measure. It only felt right to install one on her floor too, especially with the increasing texts and calls from random numbers.

“Daisy,” I call out. “Open the door.”

I sigh impatiently when she doesn’t answer.

I could go back upstairs and grab the spare key that River gave me, but then I’d really be invading her privacy.

Right?

I knock again before pulling my phone out to call her.

My hand tightens on the thin device when I see that it wasn’t her who had texted me minutes ago.

Unknown

3966 N Roscoe St. 11pm, two days from now.

The address isn’t foreign to me.

I text Miles with anger brushing against my neck.

Me

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