After one final rinse, I’m spinning the water off when the shower curtain suddenly whips open. A cold draft of air makes my skin prickle, and I turn around with a frown, on the verge of muttering a fuck-off to whatever assclown doesn’t understand how a private shower stall works.
But the words die on my lips.
A gorgeous woman wearing a hoodie stands there. Her steel-gray gaze dips, following a water droplet as it slides down my chest, abs, and then disappears in the trail of dark hair leading to my cock. I can’t help but smirk. This isn’t a peep show, but what the hell did she expect?
Her eyes snap up from my crotch, and the potent scent of jasmine hits me.
Holy shit.It can’t be.Bella fucking Diamond?
Before I can say anything, she lifts a stun gun, angling it toward the family jewels.Oh, fuck no.I quickly cover my dick with both hands and narrow my eyes at her.
“Hello, Ryder,” she murmurs, an appreciative glimmer in her silver eyes as she lifts a pair of cuffs in her opposite hand. “I’m going to need you to put these on.Now.”
Looks like I won’t be getting that carryout after all. Because shit just got interesting.
Chapter Three: Bella
One Hour Earlier...
Idon’t have time to mess around with an extensive disguise. Besides, there’s really no point. Since Ryder is going to be traveling with me, he’s going to see what I really look like at some point. But it feels weird going out without some sort of veil over the real me.
I throw my hair in a low ponytail, pop in a pair of gray contacts and pull the hood on my sweatshirt up. That’ll work well enough. I also grab my stun gun and handcuffs. Zip ties make me nervous. They can snap far too easily, especially if someone is trained to get out of them. Considering who he works for, I would imagine Ryder is. And once I have him where I want him, I can’t risk Ryder escaping.
Tossing my duffel bag into the boot of my Vanquish, I slip behind the wheel and decide to head over toA-Squared where Ryder works. I have no idea where he lives and figure I might be able to catch him there.
I’m in luck, and I immediately spot his ride in the car park. A jet-black Lamborghini Aventador. Sleek and utterly mouthwatering. Just like its owner. There’s something about a fast car that excites me. I mean, how can I not appreciate a man who has excellent taste and drives that beautiful beast?
Like his flashy ride, mine also draws attention. And as my plan relies on surprise, I need to ensure he can’t see me. Parking across the street and behind an SUV, I settle down in my seat, keeping an eye on the building’s entrance. Eventually, my stakeout pays off, and he walks out with a mountain of a man, better known as Lincoln Decker. I’ve done my research and know who comprises Ryder’s crew because there’s always the possibility I’ll run up against them in the field.
And I’m the kind of woman who likes being prepared as much as possible.
They exchange a few words and then split off, each going to his own vehicle. I can hear the roar of the Lambo’s engine all the way across the street, and I can’t help but smile. Such a pretty growl. I get the feeling Ryder and I both have a penchant for nice things. It’s hard not to notice how well he dresses—whether it’s a bespoke suit or a pair of designer jeans—because they fit him with precise perfection.
Tapping my index finger on the wheel, I watch and wait. If I pull out and start following him right away, he’ll most likely see me. But I also don’t want to lose him. I force myself to wait five more seconds then pull out and follow him.Drive casual,I tell myself. I can’t help but snort out a laugh since it occurs to me I rarely do anything casually.
Both he and Decker head to a nearby gym. It’s the nicest one in Denver, and I can’t say I’m surprised. After all, even a surface level internet dive on Mr. McKay offers all sorts of tidbits, including how his family has billions of dollars.
Billions!I can’t even begin to imagine how much that money would’ve helped my dad. It might’ve even saved him.
The what-ifs will always haunt me. What if we would’ve discovered he was sick sooner? What if his insurance company hadn’t dropped him? What if I would’ve had enough money to make sure he got the best and fastest possible treatment?
Would he still be alive and now in remission?
No.I shake my head hard.Don’t go there.
Imagining my dad still here with me only hurts. It’s living in an alternate reality, a dream world that doesn’t truly exist. A distraction. All I have is the here and now. Just me.
Bella Diamond against the world.
Loneliness creeps in. Sometimes I remember what it was like having friends. Growing up in Manningtree, me and my best mate Vicky always hung out when I wasn’t on adig with Dad. We walked to school together then spent our free time exploring and pretending to go on grand adventures. Last I heard, Vicky is happily divorced, has a fantastic job and lives in Mistley with her mother and daughter.
I shake my head, pushing yet another distraction to the back of my mind, and focus on the present.
Once Ryder and Decker stroll into the gym together, I pull into the alley behind the building. There are several doors back here, a few unlabeled, but one has a big sign identifying it as belonging to Leaf & Seed, the cute restaurant attached to the gym. Since I don’t have a membership to Denver’s swankiest sweat club, I’ll be sneaking in through there.
I pull my Aston Martin into the loading zone, flip on the hazard lights, and park like she belongs there as a plan begins to form in my head. I can’t help but smirk. If all goes off without a hitch, I’ll be catching Mr. McKay with his pants down. Er, off.
Grabbing the stun gun and cuffs, I slip them into the hoodie’s pocket and climb out. My sweatshirt and leggings will allow me to blend right in with the other gym rats. I’m actually very good at blending in when I want. It’s a bit like an artform. Just look like you belong, and people usually assume you do.