His Innocent Temptation

Under His Watch

Chapter 5: Under His Watch

Sleep never came.

I stared at the threatening messages until my eyes burned, reading them over and over as if the words would suddenly make sense.

Stay away from Ryder Knight.

This is your only warning.

"Mia..." I whispered.

She looked up from her bed.

"You still awake?"

I held out my phone.

The color drained from her face.

"I knew this was bad," she muttered. "I didn't think it'd get this bad."

"Should I report it?"

"You should."

"But what would I even say? 'Hi, someone I don't know texted me because I accidentally talked to the campus bad boy?'"

She sighed.

"Just... be careful, okay?"

I nodded, though I wasn't sure I could.

---

The next morning, I left my dorm earlier than usual.

The campus was quiet, the morning breeze cool against my skin.

For the first time since arriving at Westbridge University, I kept looking over my shoulder.

Maybe I was overthinking.

Maybe the messages were just a prank.

I was halfway across the parking lot when I heard the familiar growl of a motorcycle engine.

I didn't have to turn around.

I already knew who it was.

Ryder pulled up beside me and killed the engine.

He removed his helmet, running a hand through his dark hair.

"You got the messages."

It wasn't a question.

I frowned.

"How do you know?"

"Answer me."

"Yes."

His jaw tightened.

"Show me."

"I don't take orders from you."

"Lily."

"I said no."

For a second, his eyes flashed with irritation.

Then he held out his hand.

"Phone."

I stared at him.

"No."

Before I could react, he stepped closer.

"So stubborn."

"So controlling."

"I prefer persistent."

Against my better judgment, I handed him my phone.

He read the messages in silence.

The playful smirk I'd seen before disappeared completely.

His face turned cold.

Dangerously cold.

"Did anyone follow you?"

"No."

"Did you tell anyone besides your roommate?"

"No."

He handed the phone back.

"Good."

"Good?" I repeated. "Someone threatened me and all you can say is 'good'?"

He took a deep breath, clearly trying to stay calm.

"It means whoever sent this doesn't know much about you."

"How is that supposed to make me feel better?"

"It isn't."

Before I could say another word, he looked over my shoulder.

His eyes narrowed.

"What?"

"Don't turn around."

"What?"

"Lily."

Of course I turned around.

A black SUV was parked across the street.

Its windows were too dark to see inside.

The engine was running.

A strange feeling settled in my stomach.

"Do you know them?"

Ryder didn't answer.

Instead, he took my wrist—not roughly, but firmly—and guided me behind him.

"Get on the bike."

I blinked.

"What?"

"Now."

"I'm not getting on your motorcycle."

His gaze never left the SUV.

"You have two choices."

"I don't—"

"Lily."

His voice was low.

Serious.

Not angry.

Just... urgent.

For the first time since I'd met him, I realized he wasn't trying to win an argument.

He was trying to keep me safe.

The SUV's engine suddenly roared.

It began moving toward us.

Ryder swore under his breath.

"Get on."

Without thinking, I climbed onto the motorcycle.

The moment my hands hesitantly gripped the sides of his jacket, he started the engine.

"Hold on."

"I'm not—"

He accelerated before I could finish.

A startled squeal escaped my lips as the bike shot forward.

Instinct took over.

I wrapped my arms around his waist.

For a brief second, I felt him tense beneath my touch.

Then...

A small smile tugged at the corner of his lips.

Hidden beneath his helmet, where I couldn't see it.

Behind them, the black SUV turned the corner and followed.

And for the first time...

Lily Carter realized that knowing Ryder Knight might be far more dangerous than hating him ever was.