CHAPTER 004
1141 Words
Chapter 004
LOGAN'S POINT OF VIEW
I wasn't prepared for this.
I believed I was in charge. I always do. However, something broke the moment she entered the room last night. I've been chasing Riley Dawson in my mind ever since that one night years ago, and now I'm standing in front of her. I couldn't forget the stranger in the mask.
She also has no memory of anything.
Riley's voice is as cool as ice water on a burn as she says, "Let's get something straight.. “This is business. Nothing more.”
I should’ve laughed. Should’ve agreed, signed on the dotted line, and kept my hands clean.
However, I don't play fairly.
“Sure,” I say, leaning back in my chair. “Strictly business.”
Liar.
The way her mouth moves when she’s annoyed, the sharp spark in those eyes… yeah, I’m screwed.
She passes me by, getting close enough to hit me with her perfume. It has a hint of vanilla and a darker undertone. Flashbacks include a silk mask, tangled sheets, and names that were whispered, but neither of us mentioned.
Not just yet.
She asks, "Are you happy with the contract or what?"
I fake a smile. "I can behave without a contract."
"All right," she laughs. "Because self-control is a trait of men like you."
I almost respond intelligently, but I restrain myself. She is luring me in. I also enjoy it far too much.
We get together to review the agreement. I need her business. Mine desires hers. This is the intended outcome. neatly cut. Simple.
Riley is clean, though.
She looks through papers and asks, "Is your office still in Midtown?"
"Do you now remember my office address?" I make fun of it.
"Avoid flattering yourself. I looked it up on Google.
That makes one smile. "Yes, you did."
My tongue feels heavy with the truth. I wish to inform her that she is the one. That I was chasing a ghost of every faceless girl in my bed every single night. But how do you drop that on a girl you barely know without sounding insane?
You don't.
So I don't say anything.
However, I don't intend to keep it that way for very long.
"Do you require non-disclosure agreements this extensive from your business partners on a regular basis?" I turn a page and ask.
"Just the people I don't trust."
"You hurt me."
She raises her gaze. "You'll survive."
She's impossible, my god. And I'm not sure if I should pull her into my lap or punch a wall.
Maybe both.
Her cell buzzes. Something flickers in her face for a moment as she looks at it. Fear? Fury? I am unable to tell. However, it has vanished as quickly as it appeared.
"Is there a problem?" I enquire.
"You have nothing to worry about."
However, it does. Now I'm worried about everything about her.
With my elbows resting on the table, I bend forward. "Are you certain about that?"
"I'm positive."
Tell a lie. She is concealing something.
And I'll discover what.
The air between us crackles like a storm about to break, but we end the meeting in silence. For a moment, we are too close, and I stand when she does. I take a right step while she appears to be taking a left. Our bodies come into contact.
electrical.
She gasps. Mine does as well.
We don't move.
Then she suddenly takes a step back.
"See you on Monday, Pierce."
Pierce. Not Logan. Cold, far away.
Alright. Does she wish to participate in this game? I came up with it.
"You will, Dawson."
She walks away. I follow her every move.
And as soon as she disappears, I reach for my phone.
“Find everything you can on Riley Dawson,” I tell my assistant. Medical records, family history, and background. I'd like to know what she has for breakfast.
"You got it."
I end the call and look at the blank room where she was standing.
Riley, do you believe you can put your past behind you?
Not when I'm around.
I recall her.
She has no memory of me.
However, she will.
Because I will not allow her to vanish once more.
I feel like a complete i***t as I lie in bed later that night and stare at the ceiling. I’ve had women before. Too many. Names I forget before morning.
But her? I can't get her out of my head.
She's everywhere. She can be found in every woman with dark hair walking down the street. This can be found in the half-empty glass of every bar. in each and every nightmare.
And she's here now. Actual.
pretending nothing had occurred.
I snort to myself, "Business." "Yes."
My phone is buzzing.
A message.
Unknown figure.
**I warned you not to return. You have no place here. Avoid her.
It chills my blood.
My heart pounding, I leap up.
Who the devil—
One more text.
A second warning will not be given to you.
I'm getting up and reaching for my gun on the bedside table. Old habits don't go away easily.
Who is observing her? Who is aware of us?
I clench my fists and pace the room.
What is mine is not threatened by anyone.
Not even a ghost from her past.
And that's what this is.
Someone from earlier.
She's having problems. And she won’t tell me.
I'll find out, though.
even if it means destroying the entire city.
I pick up my keys and jacket.
not holding off until morning.
I go directly to her house.
Because they will have to go through me first if they are coming for her.
I also don't play nice.
The lights are out when I arrive. There isn't a car in the driveway.
I look at my phone.
No response.
Where on earth is she?
The bad feeling in my gut twists hard.
And that's when one ugly thought hits me so hard that it nearly topples me.
What if it's too late?
What if she’s already—
No. Not taking place.
I touch her door with my hand.
Then I hear it.
A gentle thud from within.
My heartbeat quickens.
There is a visitor.
It's not her, either.
I pull my gun.
Because whoever it is, they picked the wrong night to mess with Logan Pierce.
I turn the knob.
Unlocked.
The darkness engulfs me as soon as I step inside.
"Riley?" I make a call.
Not a word.
Then there was a voice in the darkness.
"Logan, you ought to have stayed away."
All of my preconceived notions about this game abruptly changed.
Because what's the actual risk?
We have only just begun.
Who on earth is in her home? What do they hope to gain from her?
- Writer
