Page 25 of His Forbidden Alliance

“No. I’m going home like Remington told me to.”

“Fine. We’ll go to your house, but you’re not going anywhere alone.”

I scowled at him. “You’re not coming to my fucking house.”

“You shouldn’t be on your own. We can’t be sure why he came for you or that he was working alone.”

“Like you give a fuck what happens to me.”

“God help me, I think I do.”

Oh no. I did not feel a flutter in my chest. I was not interested in anything but hate-fucking this asshole. “I don’t need you.”

“You did a few minutes ago.”

“If you want to come with me, then you have to tell me who you are and what is going on.”

“Or I could wait around and tell whoever your family sends.”

I snarled at him. “Get the fuck out of here.”

“Not without you.”

I met his gaze and watched his eyes darken. He wanted me as much as I wanted him. “Are you going to shoot me or not?”

“I haven’t decided yet.”

“Fuck off.” I pushed the gun away, and he laughed as he shoved it into his pants.

“I’m going to follow you wherever you go. “

Why did that sound so fun? “You really think I can’t lose you?”

“I’m not even sure you want to.”

I wasn’t either, and that pissed me off. Xavier said G wasn’t connected to Ivanov. He also told me to stay away from him, but since when did I listen? “Good luck, Grover.”

11

ZACH

“Not my name,” I yelled as Rafe took off running. I managed to keep pace with him, but when he turned into a parking lot next to a warehouse, I knew I was fucked. He jumped on a motorcycle that was under a carport, revved the engine, and took off. There was another beside it, but I’d only ridden once or twice. No way would I catch him on a bike.

I raced through the parking lot to a black sedan. I didn’t even hesitate to commandeer it. I was working, or something like that. It probably belonged to Rafe’s family anyway, or they had stolen it.

I pulled out tools I thankfully never left home without, jimmied the lock, and like a GTA champ, I had the thing started and out of there in seconds. I prayed I could catch up to Rafe. I’d done my best to pay attention to the direction he headed, then listen for the sound of the motor once he was out of sight, but I was more or less relying on luck and a little bit of instinct.

After I made a few turns, I was almost certain I’d lost him, but then I saw him in the distance. I darted in and out of traffic, making my way to him. He led me on a chase across town and into the French Quarter. He must be headed home, and he had to know I would have found his address by now.

I lost him again, but I headed for his house. As I turned on Orleans Street, I saw him jump off the bike and run toward his town house. Did he think closing the door behind him would save him? I’d break it the fuck down.

I pulled into a small parking lot, jumped out, and ran back to his house. I charged onto the porch before reason assaulted me. What the fuck was I doing? I was about to break down Rafe’s door or come through his window, and he’d have every right to shoot me. My death wouldn’t even be considered a crime. He was just standing his ground.

I’d lost my mind. I was here to investigate Ivanov, and I was chasing Rafe across town. Literally. In a stolen car. That I did not need to commandeer. I really hoped it belonged to him or someone in his family.

Suddenly, the door opened, and Rafe stood there grinning. “Are you coming in or not?”

What the fuck?