Page 17 of The Billionaire Who Saved My Cat From The Mafia

Sure, I love my white thigh-high PVC boots with five-inch heels.They give a super-sexy swagger to a spider spin on the pole.And on the floor, they accentuate the drama of a shoulder stand with a side split.But they’re sure as hell useless in the forest.

I glance over at Pussy, who’s staring at me with accusation because I’ve got her suited up inside the cabin.“What?I’m sorry, but I’m just being cautious.”

“Raaaoowr,” she says, her whiskers flicking.

She doesn’t like wearing her harness and leash indoors, but now I’m paranoid because of what MacLaine said about how bringing a pet here was a reckless thing to do.

Maybe this whole idea was a reckless mistake.But where else could I go?This is the only wilderness cabin I have the deed for!It’s the only middle-of-nowhere location I knew I could escape to!

And it’s the only place that has no connection whatsoever to my life, my work, or my past.After Dad died, I got out of Pine Haven, Oregon, and never looked back.Maybe it’s for the best that The Protectors don’t know what happened to me, where I moved to, or what I’m doing with my life.

But I have to admit that it’s almost amusing to imagine Niko’s men rolling up into Pine Haven, looking for a fight.I picture his Russian goons marching into town to interrogate members of Dad’s motorcycle club, insisting they tell them where the wayward daughter of the late Lou Lyles is hiding.

Almostamusing, anyway.

Truth is, I’m done with bloodshed, thank you very much.

I finish my Fluff.Pussy immediately jumps in my lap, harness and all.I stroke her coat.I know I’m going to have to go into town sooner or later for supplies.I need a lot more water.I need more food, and maybe even a vegetable or two.

A girl can’t live on Fluff alone.

I take a deep breath and decide it’s time.I really need to give a label to what’s poking at me, what’s at the core of my deep unease.Yes, Niko’s a very bad man.I get it.I’ve known this for a while now and have been trying to figure out a way to make a breakup seem like his idea.

Nothing was working.As soon as it looked like he might be growing tired of me, he yanked me back, holding onto me tighter than ever.I remained determined to find a way to do it.

This brings me right back to my deep unease—why did he insist that I not be late?Did he really want me to die in the ambush?Did he plan to pull the trigger himself?Slice me open with his own hand, maybe?

Or was his plan something else entirely?

I stop breathing.I cock my ear and hear the sound again.It’s an engine.Coming closer.Not overhead.On the ground.The vibration shakes the old wooden floor beneath me.

Oh shit oh shit oh shit oh shit.

Could Niko have found me?

“Meeeew!”

“Shhhh,” I tell Pussy.

I grab the gun and double-check that it’s loaded.Pussy jumps from my lap and I race to the window, pressing my back to the wall to stay out of sight.I release the safety.

If Niko’s men have found me, surprise is my only advantage.I’ve got twelve bullets and one chance to come out fighting.

I dare to peer around the window frame.

What the hell?

An ATV on steroids is rocking back and forth as it lurches up the steep, rocky trail.The hot rancher is back—and instead of a horse, he’s riding a badass toy.Did he bring the cops?What the actual fuck is the mandoing?

A big trailer drags behind the ATV.It’s piled with stuff.

MacLaine pulls up in front of the cabin.I engage the gun’s safety but keep it in my hand, then I grab Pussy’s leash.I open the door and stand in the threshold, puzzled.I watch him unload a series of items.Split firewood and kindling.Folded tarps.A lantern.

He doesn’t say a word.

“Hey bro,” I call out.“What the fuck do you think you’re doing?”

I watch him grab several cardboard boxes full of food, flashlights, batteries, blankets, sweaters, more jackets and coats, and water.