"What do you mean?" she asked, standing beside the car, utterly confused.
The front of the building wasn't as crowded as it had been when she first arrived. Only three or four people wandered about, and none of them were paying her or the SUV any attention.
"I'm leaving for Italy, and I need a companion. We'll make negotiations on our way. Get in—my flight is waiting."
"B-B-B-but why? I don't understand. I can't go to Italy just like that. I don't even have my passport."
He sighed and rolled his eyes. "We're going on my private jet. Now get on."
Italy? Just like that?
It was almost noon. If they were truly going to Italy, they wouldn't be back until the next day.
What would she even tell Alpha Vincent when she returned?
She remembered the one time she got home past curfew—Alpha Vincent had punished her brutally. The memory alone made her shake her head.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Riggs. I can't go to another country without the permission of my..."
She paused, swallowing hard. It was humiliating to even say it.
"Of my father. You can find someone else for the job."
She turned around slowly, her heart breaking as she did, and began walking down the path past the building.
Suddenly, a hand grabbed her and swirled her around. Her breath hitched when she saw who it was.
Can her day get any worse?
"I was having my doubts when I caught your scent, but it's really you, baby. What are you doing here?" Caden asked, glancing up at the building.
"Alpha Yefat works here. He asked me to deliver the July layout report file. Why are you here? For delivery?"
She jerked her hand from his tight grip.
"Y-yes. I delivered a package."
"That's great. I've also delivered the file to Alpha Yefat. Let's go home."
He gripped her hand again, more forcefully this time, but she yanked away.
"N-no. You go on your way."
He grabbed her again—this time more aggressively, more intentionally.
"Now, I've been putting up with you being such an insolent bitch. Enough of your stubbornness, okay?"
She struggled to break free, but he was too strong. It felt like being trapped under a boulder—his wolf strength was no match for hers.
"Uhm, Caden?"
He turned to her, that wicked scowl replaced by a wide, suspicious smile.
"I just remembered—I forgot my purse in the restroom in the building. Can I go get it?"
He studied her carefully, trying to detect a lie. He could hear her heartbeat, so she'd learned how to control it whenever she was around him.
A grin spread across his face, and he let her go.
"Don't be late, okay? I'll be waiting."
She forced a smile and turned, walking calmly back toward the building. But the moment Caden was out of sight, she picked up her pace—and then started running. Running away from Caden and toward Mr. Riggs's SUV.
But it was gone.
She whipped her head around—and there it was, the SUV driving away in the opposite direction.
She broke into a full sprint, chasing after it with every ounce of strength she had.
Universe, for once, be kind to me. Or Moon Goddess. Father always told me the Moon Goddess hears him. Moon Goddess, hear me. Help me, she whispered under her breath as she ran.
Caden was probably already sensing her lie. He'd be looking for her by now. If he found her—she was done.
Her pace quickened, desperation rising like a knot in her throat. She was getting closer but couldn't catch up. Her legs, already trembling, finally gave out. She slowed to a stop, watching helplessly as the SUV disappeared into the distance.
A tear slipped down her cheek as she collapsed onto the ground.
From the corner of her eye, she spotted Caden whipping his head around, sniffing the air, scanning for her.
He hadn't seen her yet—but he was close.
A loud honk cut through the air. She looked up.
The SUV had stopped.
Just as Caden turned and locked eyes with her, she scrambled to her feet and ran—straight for the SUV. She yanked the back door open and threw herself inside, slamming it shut behind her.
Her chest rose and fell in sharp gasps as she peeked through the back window.
Caden was now in view, squinting at the SUV, trying to make sense of what he'd just seen.
But after a moment, he turned away, continuing his furious search for her—still unsure, still angry.
She collapsed onto the leather seat, drawing in a shaky breath and struggling to steady it.
Realization hit her, and her gaze darted immediately to Mr. Riggs, who was seated right beside her, regarding her with a calm intensity. An ipad rested on his palm, a stylus poised effortlessly between his fingers.
She shifted uncomfortably in her seat.
"Sorry about that. I just needed an escape route."
"Who was that?"
The question caught her off guard. It was calm—gentle, even. Like he truly cared.
She swallowed, quickly pushing the thought aside. There was no way in hell he did. Men like him didn't care about girls like her. And besides, he looked married.
"That was my..."
She paused. There was no point lying.
"My adoptive brother."
"Was he trying to hurt you?"
How could a voice be that smooth? That beautiful? It sounded like music—like something that wrapped itself around her and lulled her into safety.
She nodded silently, her eyes glued to her fingers as she nervously picked at them.
"Are you okay?"
Her head snapped up, startled by the question.
Their eyes met—and for a moment, time seemed to freeze.
She was caught in his blue gaze, as if spellbound, unable to pull herself free.
She quickly cleared her throat.
"Uhm... y-yes. Thank you."
She sank back into the seat, letting it cradle her. It was the safest she'd felt in years—since before she was taken in by Vincent.
But then she blinked and noticed the car still hadn't moved.
She turned to him again.
"Aren't we going?"
"To where?"
"Didn't you say you needed me to accompany you to Italy?"