Claiming Felicity (Ace Security #4)(49)

He knew exactly what he was going to do too.

He had arrangements to make.

Megan would rue the day she dared interfere with his relationship with . . . what’s-her-name . . . back in college.

Starting up the engine, Joseph sedately pulled out of the parking lot so as not to draw any attention to himself. He was much more calm now that his plan was coming to fruition.

“One more week, Megan. And you’ll belong to me. Mind, body, and soul. And I guarantee you won’t enjoy it. Not one second.”

His evil chuckle reverberated around the interior of the car as he drove away from downtown Castle Rock.



Two hours later, Ryder and Felicity were finally locked up safe and sound in her apartment. The cops had arrived quickly, and Ryder had a feeling the fact he was related to the Andersons had something to do with their speedy arrival. But he didn’t care. He had no problem using whatever connections possible if it meant getting results.

Thankfully, the detectives had listened to Felicity explain who she suspected had left the envelope with the pictures and why, and had taken the threat seriously. They’d encouraged her to file a protective order against Joseph. She hadn’t balked when the detectives said they wanted to take the envelope and pictures with them.

He watched as Felicity dropped her keys into the basket on the little table on the kitchen counter and headed straight for a cabinet. She took down a glass and went to the water dispenser. She filled it and immediately chugged down half of the water. She took a deep breath, then finished the rest. Then she refilled her glass before turning to him.

“You want some water?”

Ryder felt his lips quirk, but managed to suppress the grin that wanted to come out. He’d been extremely worried about her lack of a response to the pictures Joseph had sent, in fact still was, but seeing her maintain her nightly ritual calmed him somewhat. He shook his head. “I’m good.”

Felicity shrugged and turned to open another cabinet to the shelves that held her food. “You hungry? I could whip something up before we head to bed.”

Ryder stalked toward her and wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her back into him. She immediately melted into his embrace. Ryder used his free hand to pull the glass from her hand and safely set it on the counter before turning her to face him.

“I don’t want anything to eat. I want to know what you’re thinking.”

Felicity sighed and clasped her hands together at the small of his back. She gave him some of her body weight and looked up at him. “I’m okay.”

Ryder shook his head. “No, love. I want to know how you are. Seeing all those pictures of Grace, her kids, Joel and his friends, and my brothers couldn’t have been easy.”

Her lips quirked upward in a small smile. “It wasn’t. I’m pissed and scared out of my mind. I couldn’t deal with it if he hurts someone else because of me. But I’m trying not to freak. You’re here. Your brothers are aware of the danger, and I have no doubt Logan will sit on Grace and his boys until Joseph is found. It sucks, but frankly, I’m not surprised. He’s done shit like this to me before. Followed me around, put pictures of me in envelopes and left them for me to find. He likes freaking me out, and trust me, in the past, I was totally freaked.”

“But you’re not now?”

She didn’t answer right away, thinking about his question. Finally, she said, “I’m upset, yes. I don’t like the fact he followed Alexis and Blake and took pictures of them and Joel and his friends. I am definitely not happy he got close enough to Grace and her babies to take those pictures either. But you called everyone and told them what happened so they’ll be hyper alert. I have to believe that they’ll guard their loved ones with their lives.”

Her eyes dropped, and she stared at the top button of his shirt as she continued. “My mom didn’t have anyone to watch over her. Maybe if she had a man who loved her as much as Logan loves Grace, or Blake loves Alexis, or even Nathan loves Bailey, she wouldn’t have died.”

Ryder’s heart was breaking for the woman in his arms. He moved a hand under her chin and encouraged her to look up at him once more. When he had her eyes, he palmed the side of her head gently. “Men like Joseph are cowards. They get off on scaring those they think are weaker than them. When they find out their targets aren’t in fact scared, they usually back off.”

“Joseph isn’t going to back off,” Felicity said immediately.

“I know. That’s why me and my brothers aren’t going to let down our guard. Not only that, but now the police are involved. And my friends down in the Springs. I’m going to be at your side until he makes a mistake, love.”

“I know.” She took a deep breath and closed her eyes. “Can we be done talking about Joseph now?”

“Absolutely.” He’d give her whatever she wanted. “What do you want to talk about instead?”

She smiled then. A seductive smile that he felt in his dick. Her arms moved from behind him to his stomach. “How about if we don’t talk at all?” She slowly pulled the shirt from where it had been tucked into his jeans and began to unbutton it. Her fingertips brushed against his belly and chest as she moved upward. When she had it all the way open, she laid her palms flat against his chest and seductively ran them up and down.

“You might not be hungry,” she purred, “but I’m suddenly ravenous.”