Chapter 4 (TIMOTHY’s POV)

I swung the tennis bat hard at the incoming ball, and it flew back to my opponent. He returned it just as hard, but I was quicker, sending it back before he could react.

“Shit!” Vincent, my personal assistant, spat, throwing his bat aside. He looked utterly defeated, again, after the umpteenth loss in the last two hours.

“You still suck, Vin,” I said flatly, my tone cold as I walked over to grab a bottle of water and chugged it down. Sweat was beginning to make me feel grimy.

“No. You’re just too good at this,” he mumbled, walking over. “Honestly…is there one thing you aren’t good at?”

I didn’t answer, passing the bottle back to him. “What’s next on my schedule?” I exhaled heavily, eyes roaming the tennis court.

“Lunch first, then a dinner meeting at 8 with the Brooks.”

My eyes snapped to his blue ones. “The Brooks?”

“Yes.” He lowered his voice. “They still haven’t decided to work with Tad Davenhall, so this may be our chance.”

Hearing his name alone made a surge of disgust rise in me.

“Perfect. We meet them, prepare everything needed, and seal the deal today.”

Vincent nodded immediately. “And sir?”

My gaze shifted to him.

“Mrs. Davenhall…”

“What about her?” I cut him off quickly.

“She’s out today, at a restaurant. The one she frequents.”

“The French one?” I asked, and he nodded quickly. A low chuckle escaped my lips. “Perfect. Lunch alone, then.” With that, I walked off, Vin trailing behind me.

My eyes were on Alice Ashbourne, now Alice Davenhall. I’d always had my eyes and ears on her, even though she had no idea.

I’d kept my distance intentionally. All I ever wanted was to protect her from afar.

But ever since last night at her mother’s anniversary, part of me kept tempting me to break the rules, to tear down the walls I’d built around her… around myself.

Thirty minutes later, I pulled up at a familiar restaurant, adjusting my wristwatch as I stepped out. I headed straight for the entrance when the door suddenly burst open, and a familiar, gorgeous face came barreling toward me.

My eyes caught her heels instantly. She was moving way too fast.

Before I could process anything, her shoulder slammed into me, a sharp scream escaping her as she collapsed to the ground.

Fuck…can she just stay still for once?

“Why run so hard in heels for fuck’s sake?” I blurted, voice sharp, too fast to think it through.

Her jade eyes lifted to mine, wide and apologetic. Pain was written all over her face as she clutched her ankle, a soft groan slipping past her lips, her eyes glassy, almost red.

“Apologies… I wasn’t looking,” she murmured, voice shaky, gaze darting everywhere except at me.

I crouched and checked her ankle anyway. Sprained. Great.

My eyes lifted to hers again. She was staring off into the distance, like she was searching for someone, then glancing down at her already swollen ankle. I followed her gaze.

Nothing.

“Uhm…” she muttered, snapping me back. “I’m fine. It’s nothing serious,” she said, gently pushing my hands away.

Lies. I could see straight through her. She was in pain.

I ignored it, sliding my hands behind her knees, ready to lift her. “Come on. We need to go to the hospital.”

“Oh no, no…” she blurted, pushing me away and moving back. “This is so inappropriate, Mr. Daven…I mean..Timothy. I’m completely fine. Just a scratch. I can walk perfectly.”

I peered straight into those gorgeous jade eyes, reading her face while she clearly read mine. She knew I wasn’t taking no for an answer.

“But still…” she hesitated, glancing around. “I don’t want the media twisting this. I can manage to get to the car with a little help. This isn’t appropriate, and you know how Tad can be. What if he…?” Her voice trailed off.

“I don’t deal with the media. And they don’t deal with me, so we’re good.” I cut her off, deliberately ignoring whatever Tad might think.

I couldn’t care less what headlines he read or what conclusions he jumped to.

Before she could protest again, I lifted her easily. Her hands instinctively came around my neck, fingers tightening like her body had decided for her before her mind could catch up.

A sweet vanilla scent hit me, tempting me to lean in closer, but I forced myself to hold back.

I moved quickly to the car, helping her in and clicking her seatbelt into place. In the blink of an eye, we were out of the parking lot.

******

I watched as the doctor bandaged her foot, Alice looking everywhere but at me. She was clearly uncomfortable, so I decided to step out.

My phone buzzed. Vincent.

“Hello?”

“I sent you some pictures, sir. You should check them out.”

I sighed. “It can wait. I’m busy with Alice right now and—”

“It’s about… Mrs. Davenhall,” he cut in sharply. I hated it when people interrupted me, but judging by his, I swiped the call away and opened his message.

Pictures of Alice out in public. Then I noticed it. A pattern. In almost every shot, a figure dressed in black lingered in the corner. Always there.

“What is going on here?” I demanded. “Who the hell is that?”

“It appears Mrs. Davenhall may have a stalker, sir.”

My ears rang. I quickened my steps, turning into a quiet corner.

“The fuck do you mean by that?” I growled.

“A particular individual has been trailing her movements. One of our men says it started a few days ago.”

My jaw tightened. “Find out who the fucker is. Track him. Bring him to me.”

A pause. “And as usual,” I added, voice dropping, “do it without her knowledge.”

“Yes, sir.”

“And increase the number of men around her.” I cut the call, my eyes sweeping the hallway.

What if that fucker had followed us to the hospital? What if he were bold enough to try something?

I wouldn’t allow it. Not a single strand of her hair. Not with me here. Not ever.

I moved fast, heading back to her ward. The moment I reached the door, my chest tightened.

It was empty. No Alice. No doctor. No nurses.

“Alice?” I called out sharply.

I turned and grabbed the first nurse passing by. “Alice Davenhall,” I snapped. “The woman was admitted to this room. Where the fuck is she?”

My nails bit into her skin. She gasped and yanked herself free, eyes wide with shock.

“She should… be in there, sir. We only stepped out a few minutes ago.” Her voice shook as she moved past me, opening the ward to check for herself. She turned back, confusion written all over her face.

Fuck.

“Alert security,” I ordered instantly. “A woman is missing. Mid-twenties. Black hair. 5’4ft. White flowery dress, black heels.” I paused, jaw tightening. “White ribbon in her hair.”

With that, I took off, breaking into a jog.

My hand went straight to my phone as I dialed her number. I’d had it saved for years. Never once used it.

This would be the first time.

“Please be safe,” I muttered under my breath as the call kept ringing, my eyes scanning every corner, every corridor of the hospital.

Because God knows, deep in my chest where I bury my worst instincts, anyone who dared touch her would be erased without a trace.