She slung her bag over her shoulder. “What I need is to find Tom.”

She was shutting me out.

“Don’t leave.”

But she pushed past me, heading for the exit.

Willow

I didn’t know where I was going—certainly not back to the apartment—but I couldn’t handle Ronan’s questions or his gentle touch for a second longer. If he spent another minute looking all concerned and righteous on my behalf, I’d break down in tears. I wasn’t equipped to deal with his version of caring. Especially when I didn’t deserve it. I’d seen his face when he’d first arrived. He’d thought he’d caught me committing corporate espionage. And while that wasn’t what I’d been doing—this time—I couldn’t claim innocence on the whole. I’d betrayed the trust he’d shown by bringing me into King’s Security. I may not have found anything to use against him, but it wasn’t for lack of trying.

Whatever happened next, I knew I wouldn’t be continuing the subterfuge. The panic I’d felt when I’d seen who’d discovered me had made what I’d already known in my heart all along undeniably obvious. Lying and scheming wasn’t the way to protect my company. It wasn’t ethical, and Dad wouldn’t have approved. I was more than a little ashamed it had taken me this long to realize it.

I reached the elevator and jabbed the buttons, listening to his footsteps as he followed. The elevator doors opened; I stepped inside and prayed for them to shut quickly.

“Willow,” he called.

“I’m fine,” I yelled back.

I saw his face as the doors drew together and knew he’d have been able to put his arm inside and stop me if he wanted, but he didn’t. Thank God.

I arrived in the foyer, swiped my access card, and rushed down the front steps. I wasn’t sure whether Ronan was following close behind me, but I didn’t care to find out. I glanced in each direction, and during my moment of hesitation, a white van pulled up alongside me. The door opened, and two men in black hoods leaped out.

I stumbled backward.

Not again.

One of them lowered his shoulder and rammed into my midsection. I found myself hanging over his back, the pavement swimming beneath my face. I bit my lip and focused. I wouldn’t let these men manhandle me two days in a row.

I shoved my knee into his chest. “Let me go!”

It was daylight, and people were around. One of them had probably already called the police. I lashed out and listened to my abductor grunt when the blow struck true. A thump sounded nearby, and I lifted my head to see the other, black-masked man slump to the ground.

“Put her down.” I recognized Ronan’s voice above the rushing in my ears. My would-be kidnapper froze.

“You won’t risk hitting her.” I could tell from his voice that it was the man from last night. The one who’d wanted to hurt Sage.