Claiming Felicity (Ace Security #4)(33)

He’d said it over and over, but it never failed to make her feel better. “I know,” she reassured him.

Then he nodded, let go, and stood, all in one motion. Without a word, he pulled a handgun out of a holster somewhere on his body, Felicity had no idea from where, but she wasn’t concerned about the fact he’d been carrying. It was one more thing that reassured her about the big man who’d somehow attached himself to her.

As he stalked down the short hallway to check out the rest of the apartment, she made a decision. She’d tell him everything. All of it. Tonight.



Joseph lay on his bed, smirking. He wished he’d installed a few cameras in her apartment. He would’ve given anything to see her reaction to the photo he’d left for her. There was something very exciting and arousing about being in her apartment when she wasn’t there. He’d taken his time, looking in every cabinet and drawer, inspecting the apartment, learning about his prey.

And without a doubt, Megan Parkins was his prey. She’d pay for her interference . . . eventually. In the meantime, it was fun to mess with her. The electricity and other services were mere inconveniences. He knew she’d be able to get those straightened out easily. But the picture had to have freaked her out. He once again thought about how scared she had to have been when she realized he’d been in her space.

His hand moved down his body and slipped under his sweatpants. Joseph stroked himself, imagining what Megan had looked like when she saw his gift. Maybe she’d even cried. He loved it when bitches boo-hooed. He closed his eyes as he thought about all the plans he had for Megan.

Ryder would be a nuisance, but nothing he couldn’t deal with. He released himself from his pants and sighed in pleasure. He continued to run his hand up and down his length. He got more and more excited the more he thought about what he had in store for her.

She’d be freaked.

Scared out of her mind.

Ready to do whatever he said.

The smirk spread on his face as his hand moved faster and faster.

As he orgasmed, he imagined the look of horror and absolute terror on her face when she realized what he’d done. When she realized that she couldn’t outsmart him this time. That she’d never escape him again.





Chapter Ten

“Rex? It’s Ace.”

“What’s wrong?”

Ryder’s lips twitched. Figured his handler would immediately know something was up. “I have a situation that I could use your help with.”

“Shoot.”

“Right around the time my mom died, I found out I had three half brothers. They live in Castle Rock, and I came up to meet them. Stepped right in the middle of a situation.”

“What kind of situation?”

Ryder liked that his handler didn’t beat around the bush. “One involving a woman who has become very special to me, and a stalker who has gotten too close for comfort. He broke into her apartment tonight.”

“You need her locks changed right now? Or will the morning work?” Rex asked without hesitation.

Ryder sighed in relief. He knew he could ask his brothers for a locksmith recommendation, as they most likely had some connections in the area, but Rex offering to take care of it right now meant he could concentrate on making sure Felicity was all right sooner rather than later. “Morning will be fine. I’m not leaving her side tonight, so she’ll be okay until morning.”

“What else?”

“Joseph Waters. It’s who Felicity says is after her. From Chicago. Meat did some checking, but hasn’t come up with anything concrete.”

“I’ll get with Meat, see what he’s found, then see what I can come up with.”

“Appreciate it.”

“You might have turned in your resignation, Ace, but you’re still a part of this team and always will be. You need anything, especially if it concerns your woman, I’ll be pissed if you don’t call.”

And with that, the elusive Rex disconnected the call.

After hanging up, Ryder thought, not for the first time, how lucky he was to be a part of such a close-knit group of men. He knew it wouldn’t have mattered if he’d called Ro, Ball, or any of his other friends—they all would’ve been on their way up to Colorado Springs in a heartbeat if needed. They might not all work together on every mission, but Ryder knew without a doubt any one of the other men would lay down his life for him, as he would for them in return.

Ryder turned from the water cooler at a sound behind him to see Felicity standing in the entrance to the kitchen, looking unsure. Her short, black hair was sticking up in disarray, and her eyes were puffy with dark circles under them.

He clenched the glass of water in his hand tightly. He hated Joseph Waters with all he had in him. The man was a coward, and Ryder hated cowards. Oh, he didn’t like anyone who preyed on those weaker than they were, but he hadn’t come across anyone as manipulative, sneaky, and sadistic as Joseph in a long time.

He forced himself to relax, and took two steps to Felicity’s side. He held out the glass of water he’d poured for her, and she reached for it. She smiled up at him, but Ryder saw right through her bravado. She’d held it together extremely well as he searched her place, made his call, and encouraged her to get ready for bed. But he could see she was at the end of her rope. Physically and mentally.