Page 53 of Protected By My Playboy Billionaire

Without another thought, I rise and run out the double doors. Shit. I’m blinded by the rain for a moment, the wind blowing it in my face. I pull the hood of my jacket over my head, shielding myself. With a muttered curse, I break into a run, the cold water mingling with my tears as I blur the world around me.

I don’t know where I’m going; I only need to be anywhere but here.

The rain pelts down harder, soaking me to the bone, but I press on, running along the sidewalk. Each step takes me farther from the building, farther from Adrian. I have to get somewhere dry.

Lilly! Yes, I can call Lilly.

I dart into a narrow alleyway, hoping to find some shelter from the storm. Huddled beneath a small overhang, I fumble for my phone, fingers trembling with cold and all the emotions running through me. With wet, shaky hands, I unlock my phone.

But before I can hit the call button, a sinking feeling washes over me as I catch sight of a familiar figure approaching through the veil of rain. No.No. No. My heart lurches in my chest as Carson emerges from the mist, his smirk slicing through the darkness like a blade.

Cursing under my breath, I shrink back against the cold, damp wall, my instincts screaming at me to flee. But it’s too late. Carson’s wicked smile widens as he draws nearer, his eyes gleaming maliciously.

“Caught in the rain, are we?” he drawls, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

I grit my teeth and steel myself against the wall, my hands clenching into fists at my sides.

“Carson?” I choke out, my voice trembling with fear and defiance. Why the hell is he here? Has he been following me?

His smirk widens into a predatory grin as he steps closer.

“I’ve finally caught you without your guard dog,” he purrs, his tone oozing with malice. “Lucky me.”

My stomach churns with dread. I swallow hard, my mind racing for a way to escape. He wouldn’t be stupid enough to try anything. He can’t be.

But as Carson draws closer, his eyes alight with something sinister, I realize there’s nowhere left to run. Shit.

“How did you find me?” I will my voice to be steady but fail miserably.

“You can’tfindsomething that you don’t let out of sight. I’ve been watching, Elana. I’ve been waiting for an opportunity to get you alone, away from that motherfucker who broke my nose just for talking to you.”

“You’ve been following me?” I demand, my voice trembling. He’s been watching me. How much of my breakdown in the lobby did he see?

Carson shrugs nonchalantly, his smirk widening into a menacing grin.

“Let’s say I’ve been keeping an eye on things, you know? Waiting for the perfect opportunity to come say hi without that bastard around. I wonder what happened to get you running out like that. Did he make you do fucked-up shit? I wouldn’t be surprised. After all, his reputation precedes him.”

Every fiber of my being recoils at his callous words, the hairs on the back of my neck standingon end. I step back, the cold brick wall pressing against my spine even more as I struggle to maintain my composure.

“What do you want from me, Carson?” I hiss, hoping he doesn’t hear the fear in my voice.

He steps closer, his gaze piercing through me.

“What does Adrian have that I don’t?” he murmurs. “What makes him so special that you fucked him instead of me?”

I swallow hard, my mind racing for a response, a way to diffuse the tension before it escalates any further. But as Carson looms closer, his breath hot against my skin, I realize there’s no reasoning with him, no escape from whatever scenario he’s made up in his mind.

“Why are you doing all of this? Because you want me back? Do you really think you’ll get me back by harassing me?” I snap, my voice trembling with suppressed fury. “Leave me alone, Carson!”

But Carson merely chuckles, his eyes glinting with sadistic amusement.

“Oh, I intend to,” he purrs, his hand reaching out to brush against my cheek. “But first, I think it’s time we had a little chat about old times and what you refused to do with me. About what you do with him.”

As Carson’s hand grazes my cheek, a wave of revulsion courses through me, his touch igniting a primal instinct to flee.

“There’s nothing to talk about,” I retort, even though dread creeps up my spine. “We have nothing to say to each other.”

Carson’s lips curl into a predatory smile, his gaze darkening with malice as he takes another step closer, trapping me against the cold brick wall.