Page 65 of Texting the CEO's Obsession
I look grimly between her and the photos laid out on the table before shaking my head. There’s no note with the photos, but they’re enough of a threat on their own. Someone knows about our relationship, and they have far more details than I’m comfortable with. Whatever they want out of this, they’re obviously willing to play the long game by not making any demands.
They must not know that I’m not a patient man by any means, and certainly not when Riley is involved.
“I don’t know,” I admit, gritting my teeth. “I need to make a few calls.”
My lawyer. The friends I have down at the station. Thomas.
My brother.
Goddamnit.
“That’s not an answer!” she presses, throwing her hands up in frustration. “Who would do this? Why would anyone do this? What’s even thepoint?”
Riley looks utterly terrified, glancing at the photos every few seconds and then flinching away. I push off the couch and closethe distance between us, pulling her stiff form into my arms as I rub soothing circles over her back.
“Let me handle this, Riley.” My voice comes out more demanding than comforting, but I’ve never been good at being soft. “I’ll figure it all out. I won’t let anything happen to you.”
She shivers before melting forward against me and taking a slow, deep breath.
“Okay,” she whispers, sounding somewhere between scared and exhausted. “Okay.”
I don’t praise her, nor do I thank her for trusting me. Neither feels like the right move. Instead, I just lead her to my home office, sitting her down on the well-worn leather armchair in the corner of the room. After flicking on the lamp behind the chair, I wind my fingers into her hair, tugging until she gazes up at me.
“I’m going to take care of this,” I promise. “I’m going to take care ofyou.”
She nods, pulling the soft red blanket nearby over her lap as she lets out a small huff. She might be agreeing, but I can see the hesitation in her eyes. Her mind practically turning over it all.
Pulling my hand free of her hair, I make my way over to my desk. I have a spare phone stashed away with my brother’s emergency contact—exclusively for when shit hits the fan and I need something done quickly and quietly. I’m going to owe him one hell of a favor after this, but it’s going to be worth it. The thought of anyone other than me watching Riley has my knuckles itching for blood. I’m going to do whatever it takes to make sure I’m the only one who has access to her like that.
I’m the only one who deserves it.
Just as my fingers brush the phone I keep in the hidden drawer of my desk, another knock sounds at my door.
Riley jumps up from the armchair, eyes blown wide in fear. I make quick work of rounding the desk to place myself between her and the office door. Another knock echoes down the hall.
“Stay here,” I demand. “Sit and don’t move until I tell you it’s safe.”
“Safe?” Riley whimpers, grasping my wrist before I can step away. “What do you meansafe?”
My whole body is tense, but I keep my gaze steady when I glance back at her.
“I’m just being careful, Riley. Everything will be fine,” I assure her, even though I tense further at another, more insistent knock. “Just sit.”
Her eyes flit between me and the hallway nervously, but she lets my wrist fall free and obediently takes a seat.
“Be careful,” she urges as I step away, hands twisted in the blanket she’s once again pulled into her lap.
“I’ll be right back.”
I smile tightly as I close the door between us, locking it on my way out. The harder I can make it for anyone to get to her, the better.
All trace of gentleness melts away from my frame as soon as I’m out of her line of sight. Cracking my knuckles harshly, I shed my jacket to the floor before quickly pushing the scattered photos on the coffee table back into their envelope before moving towards the front door once more.
I feel the cool metal of my gun as I hold it, still tucked in the waistband of my pants as another knock sounds from in front of me.Impatient fuck.
Yanking the door open with a sneer, my fury hits a brick wall, shattering into utter confusion. The look of anger on my face falters and melts into a frown as I blink at my brother Bruno, standing before me.
“Bruno?”
