Page 19 of Hunted Innocence

My body is trembling as I stand in front of him. “We will protect you, Nadine,” he murmurs.

“Thank you,” I say.

“I’m serious.” His voice is stern. “We have you. No matter what happens, you will be safe.”

Then, before I can respond, he releases his hold on me, reaches out, and touches the button to call the elevator. It openswith a ding before we both walk inside. The elevator climbs to our floor, then dings again, and the doors slide open.

I’m met with Grayson standing right in front of the open doors. His smile is easy, and his gaze is focused on me. All the worry and trepidation I feel completely melts away at the sight of him.

GRAYSON

Nadine’s eyesare wild as the elevator car doors open. I knew that she would be having some kind of anxiety coming into work after being holed up in the safe house for so long, plus the threat of Landon, no doubt, isn’t helping her to feel secure and calm.

Which is why I’m waiting for her as she steps off the elevator. Theron jerks his chin toward me, but thankfully, he doesn’t stand around and watch me greet Nadine. I know that I only saw her a few hours ago, but I need to at least kiss her.

Feel the warmth and softness of her lips against mine. She doesn’t hesitate to move directly toward me. Her hands lift between us as she places her palms against my chest and tilts her head slightly, her gaze focused on mine.

Dipping my chin, I smile down at her. I cup her cheek as I slide my thumb along her bottom lip before I speak. Keeping my voice soothing and calm, I smile.

“Good morning.”

“It was hard driving to work this morning,” Nadine murmurs.

I assumed it would be, but I don’t tell her that. Instead, I continue to smile down at her, searching her gaze with mine. She doesn’t seem upset. Her eyes are clear, bright even, minus thedarkness that seems to always be somewhat present somewhere in the distance.

“It will get easier, and then hopefully soon, this feeling, this whole situation, will be nothing but a distant memory.”

I say the words, and I hope to hell that they come to fruition, but I’m also not confident in our ability to nail Landon Tate to the fucking wall. He’s broke and still pushing forward, still focused on Nadine. There is something bigger at work here. I’m just not sure what the fuck it could be.

Chapter Eight

GRAYSON

I leaveNadine at her desk. I know she has a shit ton to do if the piles of papers that caused her to gasp are any indication. Making my way to the surveillance room, I sink down on the rolling chair and let out a heavy sigh.

I have some work that I personally need to do, but also, I’m obsessed with Landon Tate finding his fucking way here. I want everything, anything, whatever on this man so that I can nail his balls to the wall, well, cut them off then nail them to the wall, because fuck him for what he did to Nadine.

Then I’m going to be having a lengthy, possibly physical conversation with Brody Ashford, because how did this fucker allow Landon Tate to have complete control of his sister? How did that shit even happen? Deadbeat, worthless parents and all, he should have had a better hold on that situation.

There is a light knock on the surveillance room door, and I tell whoever is on the other side to come in. I expect to see Nadine standing on the other side of the door, but it’s not her. It’s Lucille.

Arching a brow, I tilt my head to the side as I wait for her to speak. I’ve never known Lucille to be timid or shy in any way, so I’m a bit concerned as she stands in front of me, shifting from foot to foot.

“Lucille?”

She inhales a deep breath, holds it for a moment, then lets it out slowly. “I have drained that man’s accounts. I have drained his offshore accounts. And I have canceled all his credit cards. Tell me why he’s still here?”

“I would tell you if I knew.”

She looks over her shoulder, then moves into the room and closes the door behind her. She leans against it, her eyes finding mine and holding my gaze. I’m not sure what she’s about to tell me. She’s acting strangely, even for her. Well, to be fair, Lucille isn’t strange. She’s fucking crazy, but not strange.

“I might have done something bad,” she whispers.

“Lucille,” I warn.

“Just listen. I did it for a reason.”

I can’t imagine what she could have done that was bad for a reason. But spinning to face her in the chair, I cross my arms over my chest. “I had a chat with Nadine this morning, and it really seems like the only logical thing.”

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