เข้าสู่ระบบThe photo shoot took exactly two hours, just as she was promised. Lauren moved through the different setups with the lead actor, moody lighting against exposed brick, softer shots with gauzy fabric, dramatic poses that the creative director guided her through with enthusiasm.She was good at this part. The performing. The becoming someone else for the camera. It was easier than being herself right now, easier than thinking about Liam sitting in that diner, planning God knew what.Wyatt never moved from his position against the wall. She could feel his eyes on her the entire time, tracking every movement, every person who came near her. When a male photographer's assistant got a little too close while adjusting a reflector, Wyatt shifted, and the guy immediately stepped back without even looking at him.It was like Wyatt radiated some kind of invisible warning that only other men could sense. Even the leading man had looked towards Wyatt a time or two."That's a wrap!" the creative dir
Lauren woke to find Wyatt already up, dressed in jeans and a black polo shirt, standing at her bedroom window with his phone pressed to his ear. He was listening, and he mustn't like what he was hearing because his body language screamed tension.She pushed herself upright, watching him. The early morning light filtering through the curtains caught the hard line of his jaw, the set of his shoulders, the way his hand rested near his hip where she was guessing his weapon was already holstered."Okay... got it." He ended the call, turned, and found her watching him. "Morning.""Morning." Her voice came out rough with sleep. "Everything okay?""Nate's team has eyes on Liam. He didn't go home last night. Stayed at some dive bar in Brooklyn until closing, then went to a twenty-four-hour diner. He's there now, just... sitting. Drinking coffee. Staring at his phone.""Planning something," Lauren said, ice sliding down her spine."Most likely." Wyatt crossed to the bed, sat on the edge. "But w
The apartment door closed behind them. Lauren stood frozen in the entryway, Officer Clark's words still ringing in her ears. 'Sometimes people who stand between a stalker and their target have accidents. Car accidents. Muggings gone wrong.'Her hands were shaking. Her breath came in short, sharp gasps that she couldn't seem to control. The image of Wyatt lying in a pool of blood, of Liam standing over him with that twisted smile, of losing the one person who made her feel safe—"Lauren." Wyatt's voice cut through the spiral. "Hey. Look at me."She couldn't. Couldn't move. Couldn't breathe properly. Couldn't stop seeing— What if something happened to him because of her. She loved him.Then his hands were on her shoulders, firm and warm, pulling her against his chest. His arms came around her, solid and reassuring, and she collapsed into him, her fingers fisting in his shirt."I can't—" The words caught in her throat. "Wyatt, if he hurts you because of me, if something happens to you—"
Sarah showed her badge to the doorman, Tom, according to his name tag, and asked to be announced to Lauren Gardener's apartment. "Is she expecting you, Officer Clark?" Tom asked, reaching for the phone. "No, but she'll want to see me. It's about her case." Tom made the call, spoke quietly, then nodded. "You can go on up.” Sarah took the elevator up, using the ride to organize her thoughts. She had to be careful here. Had to give them enough information to protect themselves without explicitly violating the laws that kept Michelle Matthews case sealed. Liam had been a minor. The elevator doors opened, and she found Wyatt Heywood waiting in the hallway outside the apartment, arms crossed, his body language screaming pissed-off male. He had to know it wasn’t good news. Why else would she come by instead of calling? She was glad Lauren had him as protection. He was a fucking huge dude and, from what she could get on him, lethal. A lot of his file while in the SEALs was sealed. "Offi
"What kind of advice?"Sarah checked her weapon, made sure it was secure in her holster. "The kind that might keep her alive. The kind that says don't wait for us to save you, because by the time we can legally intervene, it might be too late. The kind that says trust your bodyguard, trust your instincts, and be ready to run if you have to. Get a firearms license and shoot the bastard if she gets a chance.""Sarah, that's not exactly protocol. What if she repeats it?""Fuck protocol." The words came out sharp, edged with all the frustration she'd been holding in. "You know how many domestic violence victims I've talked to who said they called us for help and we couldn't do anything? How many stalking victims who ended up dead because we had to wait for them to be in imminent danger before we could act? How many times imminent danger meant already dying? The restraining order means nothing to these guys."Roads didn't argue. He'd seen the same cases, attended the same funerals."Just b
Officer Sarah Clark sat at her desk, staring at the closed folder in front of her, her jaw so tight she could feel the muscle jumping beneath her skin. The interview with Liam Carr had gone exactly as she'd expected, which was precisely the problem. She had hoped he would slip and say something. But he’d been perfect. Too perfect, with the right amount of shock, the right amount of concern, the right amount of contrition mixed with righteous indignation. Every word carefully chosen, every emotion precisely calibrated to paint himself as the misunderstood nice guy rather than the obsessive stalker she knew he was.And she couldn't prove otherwise. Not yet."Fuck," she muttered under her breath, opening the folder again even though she'd memorized every detail.Lauren Gardener's case wasn't the first stalking situation she'd handled. Wouldn't be the last. But something about this one made her skin crawl in a way that went beyond professional concern. Maybe it was the progression. Maybe
After ending the call, Honey stood in the quiet penthouse for a moment, taking in her new temporary home. Floor-to-ceiling windows offered a breathtaking view of Central Park. The space was elegant, modern.This was freedom. Real freedom. But it wasn't her place or her home. She still might sell he
Tuesday, October 10th, late eveningHoney awakened from a light pleasure induced doze, her body still humming from the intense phone call with Sir. The hotel room cocooned her in its luxurious anonymity, a perfect sanctuary for a woman caught between identities. Her personal phone chimed with a tex
The day wore on slowly. Full of meetings. At 4:15PM they were all back in the conference room. Honey made appropriate notes, asked relevant questions, and maintained her professional facade.She and Sir had gone on to message each other all day. She had it in front of her tablet again so no one coul
"In the guest room, yeah." Defensiveness crept into Nate's tone. "Look, I know Trish can be intense, but she's family. She's been through everything with me."Grayson nodded, not wanting to push too hard. "I understand. I just... the timing of all this is strange. The messages seem… well, they’re j







