I walk back to my office, hoping to grab a cup of coffee before the next meeting. I want to get a cup of coffee, go into my office, close to the door, and relax for a minute. The meetings have lasted most of the day. I’m tired of sitting in the boardroom but thrilled to be part of making some decisions. I haven’t been able to message Savannah all day.

She texts me daily with quotes her boss says. I smile, thinking of the messages I’m sure are sitting on my phone.

Rachel stops me as I pass her. “Savannah called. She sounded upset, asked you to call her back.”

I nod, saying, “Her boss is a real piece of work. She really didn’t want to go into the office today.”

“I hear that,” Rachel mutters under her breath.

“I heard that.”

She gives me a glowing smile. “I intended for you to hear it.” She turns back to her desk, getting back to work. I shake my head. Rachel has stepped up her game in messing with me since she met Savannah. Savannah gave her full permission to give me hell every chance she got.

I pull my phone from the drawer in my desk, waiting for it to turn back on. The smile fades from my face when I see several messages from Savannah and James.

I dial Savannah’s number, not breathing. She picks up on the second ring. Her voice sounds like gravel and breaks over the one word she utters.

“Liam?”

“What’s going on, baby?”

“He–” She starts crying.

“Savannah,” I whisper, my gut clenching that she’s not in my arms. I start packing up my things, keeping my phone pressed to my ear. I pick up a folder from my desk to take home with me. If I skip this next meeting, I’ll need this with me to finish some work tonight. “Baby, talk to me. I’m packing up my stuff. Tell me what’s going on. I’ll be there soon.”

“He’s out, Liam.”

“Who’s out?”

“Aiden. He found me.”

The folder in my other hand drops, spilling papers all over the floor. “I’m on my way, baby. Stay at the gym.”

“Okay,” she says softly.

I hang up, grab my keys, and run out of my office. “Cancel the rest of the day and tomorrow, Rachel. Emergency. I have to leave.”

I don’t wait for her reply. I hit the elevator call button over and over before deciding to run down the seven flights of stairs. I point my Jeep toward the gym, getting there in record time. I’m out of my car as soon as I slam it into park.

James is outside, leaning against the building. I run over to him, intent on getting to Savannah, having her in my arms and ensuring she is safe. “Where is she?” I demand.

“My office. Harper is with her.”

James follows me to his office. I yank open the door. Savannah flinches at the noise. She’s sitting on the couch next to Harper. They’re holding hands and huddled close together. I kneel in front of Savannah, framing her face in my hands. I look her over head to toe twice.

I smash my lips to hers in a bruising kiss. “Savannah,” I say against her lips.

Her hands fist in my suit jacket, pulling me closer. Harper puts her hand on my shoulder, giving it a squeeze. She whispers that she will be out in the gym. Savannah pops her head up looking at James.

“I got your girl.”

“Thanks, pancake.”

He rolls his eyes before shutting the door behind him. Once the door clicks shut, I turn back to Savannah. “Baby, tell me everything.”

She closes her eyes, taking one shuddering breath before turning her spine to steel. I watch her transform in front of me, wiping away the fear and turning into the fighter I know she is.

My blood turns to lava when she describes walking back to her desk and seeing those roses. Since she told me about how he used to give her roses and brought her some before he kidnapped her, I’ve hated them. I stand up and pace the office, primed to kill, when she tells me there was another set at her house waiting for her on her doorstep with a note basically telling her he was watching her.

“You and Harper are staying with me. Thank God Olivia set up the guest rooms last week.”

I’ve never seen his face, but I’m ready to tear this fucker limb from limb. I guarantee they’ll never find his body after I’m finished with him. I want to slaughter him like a pig for even making her worry.

Savannah’s hands are balled into fists, resting on her knees. She slams them down her knees. “I was supposed to get a call anytime anything happened. If he was transferred or up for parole, and definitely if he was fucking released. I haven’t even called to confirm that he was released yet.”

“Why not?” I am hoping beyond a doubt that it’s just some sick-fuck friend of Aiden’s playing games with her. I will still kill whoever is making her feel this way, but I fucking hope that Aiden is still locked behind bars, far away from my girl.

“There’s a case number ID that I don’t have memorized. It’s with my other important documents at home. I was on my way to get it when I saw the flowers. I was too scared to go inside. I didn’t know if he was in there or not, didn’t want to find out, either, so I just ran.”

“You did the right thing. We’ll get all that information when we go get your things.”

“You really don’t mind if Harper comes, too?”

I stare at her incredulously. Could she think that I would leave her friend and roommate at that house when the devil himself knows where they live? “Don’t even ask that,” I tell her, shaking my head. “Come on, baby. I want to get your stuff as quickly as possible.”

I pull her from the couch and bring her into my side. I want to surgically attach her there until this threat is over. Hell, I want to keep her glued to me even after this threat has passed.

We walk out of the office. James and Harper are in the boxing ring. James is instructing Harper how to punch. I’m thankful for that surly bastard. Thankful Savannah had somewhere safe to go while I was stuck oblivious in a meeting. I make a mental note to email my boss and request working from home for the time being. I don’t want to let either of these girls out of my sight.

When James and Harper spot us, they climb out of the ring. James nods toward the side, indicating he wants to speak with me privately. Once we’re out of earshot from the girls, he tells me, “I’m upgrading the security system that we put on your place. That one is good, but you need better.”

I cross my arms over my chest. “You’ll get no arguments from me. Both of them will be staying with me for the foreseeable future.”

“If you can’t be with them, let me know, and I’ll be there.”

I stick out my hand for him to shake. “I appreciate that, but both of them will have a hard time getting rid of me.”

James laughs. “Understood. I want to help though. Want to kill the fucker as much as you do.”