I was looking directly at Cameron so his intense study of me didn’t go unnoticed, but it was Wyatt’s I sensed. I couldn’t see it, but I could feel his penetrating attention, and it scared the crap out of me.

I felt Adam’s hand on my bare thigh. I didn’t know what I expected, maybe for him to go all Mr. Grey on me, and despite what he said about not sharing me with anyone, slide his hand up and see if he could make me squirm. But his hand didn’t move, his thumb did—slowly and gently skimming my leg. The touch was too much to be a friendly gesture, but it wasn’t sexual either. It was familiar but calming. And when my gaze shifted to Adam, suddenly I understood all those stares he’d given me over the last few months and why I sought them out. He settled my nerves, he calmed my thoughts, he was my touchstone when I was so far out of my element, I thought I’d go crazy.

It wasn’t until Adam joined the club that I felt comfortable there, safe.

Protected.

How weird was that?

I pulled in a breath, shoved aside my terrifying thoughts, and rallied.

“Adam said you’re looking for a small meet and greet.” I looked around the small deck before my gaze settled on Wyatt. “This place is beautiful, the view is great, but the parking is horrible even for a small party. I have a few connections for venues. We could do Hollywood Hills or if you want the beach, I know a property owner in Malibu.”

“Malibu.”

“Good choice.” I nodded and reached for my tablet in my purse.

Adam gave my leg a squeeze. I ignored the thrill I felt and slipped into my role as an event planner.

And, yes, I did this knowing Adam was sitting next to me offering me more of his comfort, safety, and protection.

The question was, who or what was Adam protecting me from? Something wasn’t quite adding up. Something was off. Something that should’ve made me run from Adam but instead pulled me in.

The answers to those questions came sooner than I thought.

Much sooner.

I’d also learn the door I heard slamming was the door to my old life. It clicked closed and when I tried to reopen it—it was locked.

9

“I’ll dig deeper,” Cole told me as soon as I entered the house from walking Sloane to her car.

He’d been in Sloane’s presence for two hours, though all it had taken was fifteen minutes for him to see what I saw.

“That’d be good since I thought we agreed to that last night.”

“We did, but I wasn’t fully committed. Or I should say I wasn’t fully sold, now I am.”

I wasn’t sure if I was pissed or pleased but I didn’t get a chance to fully examine my feelings before Wilson walked in from the back, phone to his ear, eyes on me.