Page 27 (1/2)

Chapter 1

Dutch

“Well, well, well”

She gasps, whirling and her face going white as she spots ht or flight instinct snap across her face, and htens

“Uh-uh,” I groly I can see it in her eyes—thatto run for it

Not a smart idea

I’ I know exactly what she thinks she sees She thinks she sees a pauy in a suit, like the rest of the assholes at this party But, she’s wrong She doesn’t know the hardened hting instinct I’ve got inside, the sharpened senses, the coiled muscles ready to pounce

Her eyes flick again, but this time, I see her take a breath She tries to force a smile as she bats her eyes at me

“Oh, sorry, am I not supposed to be in—”

“No, you’re not” I growl

She fucking knows she’s not, too But then, she’s not in here by accident I’ staff outfit she’s wearing She looks too good, for one She doesn’t look like she’s been on her feet all day serving cocktails and hors d’oeuvres to douchebags in suits There’s not a lock of that gorgeous chestnut hair out of place on her head, and she’s in heels

Please Catering staff don’t wear heels to work

I’ any of it, which means she’s in here quite purposefully And I know exactly why

…I knohy, cause it’s the same damn reason I’m here

She sh-tech, highly secured display cabinet behind her—the one I’ to pick open, just like she’s cracked her way into this room, which was locked, by the way

She’s playing a dangerous gaerous it is