Page 90 of Unleashed

“I guess you aren’t the only one putting cameras on my house, huh?” She stares at the frozen screen displaying the man with his dog. “How much do you think they could see if they put a camera right there?”

I bring a hand up to rub at the back of my neck, suddenly understanding how invasive my actions were. “If it’s a single lens, the field of vision would be pretty limited. If it’s a fisheye, the view would be distorted, but more complete.”

Maren nods, rubbing her lips together. “I think there’s something wrong with me.”

The shift in conversation stuns me for a second, but then I’m rushing to her side. “Are you okay? Do you feel sick?” I press one hand on her forehead, trying to identify the problem.

She shoves at my arm, pushing me away. “Not like that.” Her eyes go back to the camera feed and she sighs. “I hate thinking some stranger was watching me.” Her focus shifts to me. “But I kind of liked it when I knew you were.”

“That’s probably a good thing, because I’m not sure I’ll be letting you out of my sight anytime soon.” I take a deep breath before confessing the full extent of my sins. “And someone from Alaskan Security is coming to town. He’s going to be assigned to protect Zara until we get this all figured out.”

I expect her to fight me. Zara having a normal life is of the utmost importance to Maren. She’s busted her ass to make sure her sister has the kind of childhood she never had. And now I’m about to put an armed guard at the five-year-old’s side. Not exactly normal childhood material.

“You can’t do that.” Her argument is much less aggressive than I anticipated.

“I know it’s not what you want, but it has to hap⁠—”

“No. I mean her school isn’t going to let you.” Maren’s eyes narrow. “I’d love for her to have an armed guard who shoots the shit out of anybody who tries to hurt her.”

“Vicious.” I lean in, pressing my lips to hers. “I love it.”

I take another kiss, but stop there. It’ll be a slippery slope if I’m not careful. Making Maren feel good makes me feel good, and right now I could really stand to feel good.

But I need to take care of all the loose ends before I can even consider that.

“Are you sure they won’t allow it?” I run both hands up and down the front of her thighs, the connection helping me think. “I’m sure I could get some sort of a note or permission slip if they need it.”

Maren snorts. “I’m pretty sure it would take more than a note for them to allow an armed mercenary on school grounds.”

I would think having an armed mercenary on school grounds would be a great benefit, all things considered, but that’s not a fight I’m currently in a position to take up. “What do they allow?”

Maren begins explaining. “Teachers and aides, obviously. School secretaries, lunch ladies, nurses⁠—”

An idea sparks. “What if Zara needed special care? Would they let her bring a medical aide?”

Maren considers. “Probably, but she would definitely need a doctor’s note for that. And they would need to run a full background check on whoever⁠—”

“Not a problem. I can make all that happen.” Relief courses through me, chased quickly by the desire I tamped down earlier. Leaning close, I breathe in a lungful of her scent, letting my lips tease against her ear. “I can also add a thousand dollars to your bank account if you’re interested.”

Maren angles a brow at me, her lips curving. “I could be persuaded.”

28

Maren

Pretty sure I’m not right in the head.

Not only did I just admit to Trevor that I liked knowing he was watching out for me on the cameras he stealthily set up around my home, but now I’m practically sprinting through the halls of his company, hand gripped tightly in his, as we race to his office.

To fuck on the clock.

I’m relieved to see Ruth’s desk is empty as we rush past. I’ve already traumatized her once. I’d really feel like a jerk if we did it again.

Trevor slams the door behind us so hard, I jump, giving me zero time to recover as he presses me against it, his mouth claiming mine. There’s a sense of urgency I can’t quite shake as I grab at his belt and attempt to work it loose. Urgency I don’t believe has anything to do with the fear of being caught. This is about something deeper. Something I don’t know how to name. I wouldn’t even if I could, because it would probably freak me all the way out.

When I fumble with the buckle a little too long, Trevor pulls his mouth from mine and takes over. I redirect my attention to something I am capable of removing. Hooking my fingers into the waistband of my panties, I shimmy them down, unwind the satin and lace from my ankles, and shove them in the pocket of his pants. “Hold on to those for me.”

Trevor pushes down the front of his pants, then shucks his jacket, giving me a devilish smile. “What if I don’t want to give them back?”