I’m barefoot when I head back to the living room, but my head is in the right space.
Colt is sitting on the couch and he stands when I enter. His gaze roams up and down my frame, stopping at my feet before he grins.
“Do I need shoes for this?”
He chuckles. “No, and you have sexy feet. You never need shoes.” He reaches for me.
I come to him and let him tug me onto the couch next to him.
“I just want to bring you up to speed so you’re not in the dark.”
“Okay.”
“That was my boss who called this morning. They got another tip this morning. Someone called in on the non-emergency line.”
I swallow. “What did they say?”
“That they saw me with you last night and knew I was a cop and that someone should warn me that you’re not safe and I should remain diligent.”
I gasp. “Shit.”
“Yeah.” He grabs my hand. “I’m not going to let anyone near you, Eve.”
I nod slowly. “Okay.” I glance at the window. “You think that man who’s following me has anything to do with this?”
He sighs. “He definitely has something to do with it. The question is which side is he on? Is he working for the seller or is he keeping an eye on you and calling in the tips?”
“Right. I hadn’t thought of that. But you’re worried someone from the club called in the tip, aren’t you? That’s why you met with Roman, Julius, and Davis.”
“Yes. Or at least I want them to be aware of the possibility. Part of me thinks it’s not related to the club at all. But someone is watching us. On the other hand, if that’s the case, how has anyone gotten close enough to peg me as a cop?”
I bite my lip and release it. “Maybe since that same person called in the first tip, they’re just assuming I have a cop with me?”
He shrugs. “Perhaps. Something doesn’t add up though. I don’t like it.”
“I don’t either.” That’s an understatement. “What do we do now?”
He meets my gaze. “You’re not going to like my idea.”
I cringe. “Tell me.”
“I don’t want to leave you unprotected during the day anymore.”
I stare at him. “You want to go to work with me?”
He nods. “Yes.”
I groan as I tip my head back and stare at the ceiling.
“I know you hate that plan, and it’s horribly inconvenient for you, but I can’t in good conscience leave you alone. I can’t be sure someone in your office isn’t the seller at this point, Eve.”
I jerk my head up. “You think one of my coworkers is going to sell me to human traffickers?”
“I don’t know. I’ve never met any of them. I’ve only seen them once, at lunch the other day. I can’t begin to know that. I just don’t want to take a chance.” He watches me closely before continuing. “Look, I know this will be hard on you. I know that you have trouble staying in your adult persona when I’m around. I get that. I’ll do my best to stay out of your way so you can work, but please let me protect you.”
I jerk my hand out of his grasp and jump to my feet.
“Eve?”
I take several steps backward, putting some space between us. “Colt, my hesitation has nothing to do with your dominance. All you have to do is turn that shit off and I’ll be fine. It’s when you fucking go all Dom on me that I struggle to hold my adult space. You’re not doing it now, and see? I’m fine. As long as you’re my equal, or—God forbid—below equal to me, I can be an adult just fine.”
He flinches. “Why are you so upset then?”
I throw my hands in the air. “Colt. You’re not the invisible man. What the hell am I supposed to tell my coworkers? Huh? That some asshole is trying to sell me and you’re my bodyguard? Or, wait, let’s not forget that at least one of my coworkers saw us kissing the other day. What will she think? That I’m fucking my bodyguard? And even if everyone did know all that, then what? In a few days or a week, you end this and disappear. Then what do I tell them? That I was fucking my bodyguard and I fell for him and now he’s moved on?” I shake my head. “Because no fucking way, Colton. Not a chance in hell. I’m a respected member of the team. They see me as strong and independent with my head fully screwed onto my shoulders. I’m not the sort of person who needs protection from anything, especially not at work. Already, I have no way of knowing who saw us kissing that morning. If Lacy saw us, who’s to say ten other people didn’t and they just haven’t said anything?”
Colt stands slowly, seeming to be unwilling to make any quick movements, and that’s a good thing. “Eve, you’re human. Surely no one thinks you don’t have a life outside of the office. Why do you care if they find out you have a boyfriend? Everyone has a life.”
I shake my head. “No. Not really. I’m in the middle of climbing the ladder in an industry that doesn’t recognize women as equals.” I roll my eyes. “Like all industries. I have to work longer and harder than anyone else to get the same promotion. So, no. I’m not really permitted to have a life. I can have pretty things I keep on a shelf but not anything that might affect my job.”
He jerks, hurt by my words. Good.
I stand firm, my hands on my hips, wishing now I’d put on a pair of heels. I’m fierce in heels. “It’s not the end of the world that Lacy saw me with you. She’s a woman. She’s my friend. She won’t mention it to anyone. But men… Colt, men don’t see things the same way. If they got wind that I wasn’t
