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"Damn it," she whispered, clutching Blake's arm. "He saw me."
"Stay close," Blake ordered. "We need to move. Now."
But it was too late.
The lean man's furious gaze bore down on Savannah like a hawk zeroing in on a rabbit. His lips twisted into a sneer as he spat out his words, "Well, well, look who we have here. Interesting hair you have tonight. Guess even a wig is an improvement on that frizzy red stuff you have naturally. Where’s your secret camera tonight, Freckles? Guess I’ll have to conduct averythorough search to find it." He reached out for her breast, but Blake swatted it away.
“Hands off, asshole. She’s mine.”
Savannah's heart hammered in her chest, adrenaline surging through her veins. Why did it feel so good hearing Blake say she was his just then?
"Think you can protect her?" the wiry man taunted, his eyes narrowing with malice. "You're in over your head, pretty boy. This girl’s got a target on her back."
"Talk is cheap," Blake retorted, his perfectly timed fist connecting with the man's jaw. The impact sent him sprawling to the ground, momentarily stunned by the force of the blow.
Savannah gasped.
"Come on," Blake urged, grabbing Savannah's hand and pulling her through the crowd. As they made their escape, she found herself marveling at Blake’s strength and quick thinking.
"Where are we going?" she asked, her breath coming in short gasps as they dodged partygoers and navigated the dimly lit club.
"Somewhere safe," Blake replied without missing a beat, his grip on her hand reassuringly firm.
As they slipped out a side exit and into the cool night air, relief washed over Savannah. They raced as they darted through the shadows of a narrow alleyway, the damp air clinging to her skin. She could feel Blake's hand tightening around hers.
"Are we safe now?" she panted, her chest heaving with exertion.
"Keep moving," Blake urged, his voice low and tense. "We can't risk stopping until we're far enough away."
“My place is in the other direction,” she said weakly.
"Listen," Blake said, stopping abruptly and gripping her shoulders. "You need to trust me right now. I'm doing what I need to do to protect you."
She looked into his eyes, searching for anything that would betray his intentions. But all she saw was fierce resolve and something else . . . a hint of vulnerability?
"Fine," she relented, her voice softer than before. "But only because I don't have any other choice."
Chapter five
BLAKE
They sat across from each other in the dimly lit roadside diner, sipping on scalding hot coffee. The memory of that kiss burned even hotter than the coffee on Blake’s lips, but right now, he was too mad to enjoy the feeling. His eyes bored into Savannah’s, searching for answers.
"Look, Savannah," he said gruffly, gripping the edge of the table, "I need to know everything that’s going on if I'm going to protect you. What was that guy at the Lucifer Club talking about? Said something about a secret camera?"
Savannah clenched her jaw, then crossed her arms defensively, her green eyes narrowing. "Yes, he may have found a secret camera on me last night. Then he stole it. No biggie.”
“No biggie?” Blake asked, feeling his blood begin to boil. “Some asshole at the dodgiest nightclub in the city finds you with a secret camera and it’s no fucking biggie?”
Savannah flinched at his raised voice. She looked away from him, her eyes scanning anywhere but his gaze. Her voice was strained when she finally spoke, “Look, Blake, I know it soundsbad, but that’s why I hired you. I needed protection. Not a lecture.”
“And in order to protect you, I need honesty, Savannah. What are you investigating? Who are these guys? What’s your deal, Savannah?”
Savannah shook her head. “I don’t need to tell you anything,” she said, pouting. “You’re just a grunt. You’re not my . . .” She trailed off.
“Not yourwhat, Savannah?” he pressed her cruelly. “Not your Daddy?” He instantly regretted his words.
Her eyes widened. “My Daddy? What are you talking about, Blake? I was going to say you’re not my business partner. I hired you for one night. And now that night is over. Finito. We blew it. And if you hadn’t kissed me—”
