Page 66 of While She Sleeps

I am actually going to make sure she eats, because I get the impression from her fridge that she forgets to do such a simple task, but first, I need answers.

Without hesitation, I cross back to the bedroom and pick up her phone from the bedside table.

The code is easy to guess, her brother’s birthday, and I quickly move through the steps of installing the software to access her call and text logs, hiding it in one of the folders I’m sure she doesn’t use often. Something tells me she has little use for the compass.

Once it’s installed, and I’ve checked it’s working, I click into her texts and find the messages she shared with Lucas last night, and each word has me bristling.

That motherfucker’s days are numbered if he keeps talking to her like this.

Lucas: Don’t forget to get payment from your little boyfriend for this little date you’re on.

Ember: What the fuck are you talking about?

Lucas: Moving your dates from the club elsewhere isn’t going to save moneybags any cash. I expect payment in full before the end of the evening.

Ember: You’re certifiable. I’m not a prostitute, and I’d appreciate you stop treating me like one.

Lucas: If I tell you to fuck him, that’s exactly what you’ll do, right up until the last dollar of your debt is paid.

I have a lot of questions as I read through the thread, but when I hear the shower turn off, I quickly click out of the texts and put the phone back where I found it.

Once I’m back in the kitchen working on breakfast, I consider my options.

Lucas is beginning to wear out his usefulness, as well as constantly questioning me and going behind my back to try to take me out.

I could just kill him.

That would solve a lot of issues, but it would leave room for someone who’s worse to step into his place.

Lucas may be a fucking asshole, and he may be trying to unmask the Hunter, but at least I know what I’m getting with him.

What I’m sure of is that I need to find out more about this debt he mentioned.

What could Ember possibly owe him? And why?

Regardless, I’ll more than happily pay whatever it is to free her from his clutches before he can hurt her. His intentions have never been pure where Ember is involved, and I’m not willing to risk her when I have more than enough money to clear whatever the debt is.

The question is, do I pay it as Orion Henderson? Or do I do it from the Hunter?

It will probably pack more of a punch if it comes from my alter ego, but it also might lead him closer to finding my true identity, and I’d rather not help him along with his vendetta.

The bathroom door swings open, and Ember steps out, her hair wrapped in a towel on the top of her head and a short, fluffy robe wrapped around her body.

Fuck, she’s beautiful. I don’t think I’ll ever get enough of seeing her in her own space. I just can’t wait for that to be my home.

Soon.

“I want to talk about Lucas,” I say, making sure there’s not a hint of anger in my tone.

“What about him?”

“From my more recent interactions with him, it seems as if he’s getting more…aggressive when it comes to you. Would you agree?”

She nibbles at her bottom lip, the only tell that she’s uncomfortable as she takes a seat at the dining table. “Maybe a little since the night you first came to the club,” she tells me honestly. “He’s always been an asshole, but recently it’s like someone shit in his morning coffee every day.”

I choke on my laugh as I plate the omelets I’ve made before crossing to the table and dropping both plates to the worn surface. “That’s a visual.” I chuckle.

Ember smirks and reaches for the fork I got out while the eggs were cooking, taking a bite of the cheesy eggs. A soft groan escapes her throat, and I shift slightly to give my hardening cock room. At least I’m only in my underwear because a hard on against a zipper hurts like a bitch.

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