Tease Me (Private Listing #4)

As I put the last box of pasta in the cabinet, my phone buzzes in my pocket.

Hope! It has to be. I pull my phone out and bring up my messages.

Unknown:

Now!

What the hell? An ear-shattering alarm goes off in the apartment. My heart pounds as I look around. I’m all alone, but the alarm is familiar. I need to remain calm. The guys checked the elevator first.

I grab my access card and slip it into my pocket with my phone. When I get to the door, I open it and someone shoves me back. I glimpse black as I stagger on my heels back into the apartment.

When I straighten, the figure is at the door locking it. They’re covered in black from head to toe, but male and taller than me. He turns to face me, and a mask completely covers his face.

A scream locks in my throat. My breath stutters in and out. Adrenaline pumps through my body. My brain screams at me, run!

I kick my shoes at the intruder before running to my room, whipping the door open, and slamming it shut. I go to lock it but remember the alarm releases all the locks for emergency personnel to get in. As I glance around for a weapon, my gaze lands on the stairway door. I bolt over to it and open it right as my door bangs on the wall.

Racing through, I pace myself on the stairs to make sure I don’t do something stupid like twist an ankle. The guy is right behind me. His breathing is heavy like mine. When I reach a landing, he grabs my arm in a punishing grip and jerks me to a halt.

My blood chills as I tug on my arm, but he tightens his grip. For a second, I give in to panic. Let the icy dread roll through me as I stare at my assailant. Black gloves, black shoes, black shirt, black pants. The mask is black with no holes.

Fuck that noise. Stepping closer, I grab his arm at the pressure point like Blake taught me and kick the guy in the nuts as hard as I can. When his grip falls away, I push his shoulders hoping he goes over, but I don’t stick around to find out. I charge down the stairs.

Chapter 156

White Knight

Madison

My heart hurts it’s pounding so hard, but I don’t hesitate. I don’t stop to rest but keep winding down the stairs. The cold concrete hurts my bare feet, but I don’t care. I need to escape. The only way out is at the bottom of these stairs. I need to reach the bottom. There’s no other way out.

The intruder recovers much quicker than I would have liked. His heavy steps echo mine until they’re like a drumbeat in my ears. The only other sound is our breath. My stomach twists. If he gets ahold of me again, he won’t be so easy to shake.

My phone vibrates in my pocket, but I can’t do anything to lose my lead. One moment of hesitation is all it will take for him to catch me. That’s not happening. I’m not going to be this guy’s victim. I’m done with that.

One more floor. Tears stream down my face. My heart feels like it’s going to explode, my side aches, and my lungs are on fire. As I round the corner, a body collides with mine. I don’t think. Just react.

I shove, but it doesn’t move the person. I open my mouth to scream.

“Madison, it’s me!” Blake’s voice drains all the fight out of me. I lift my gaze to his face, closing my mouth. I collapse and wrap my arms around him. My heart still thunders in my ears. I was all alone. I can’t catch my breath. But I’m safe.

Blake turns to lead me down the steps, but I tug on his shirt.

“Someone’s. Following. Me.” Every breath is a struggle.

His green eyes meet mine and we both wait. The footsteps that were steadily following me are gone. The flashing emergency light is the only thing that moves.

“Go outside. I’ll look.” Blake tries to pry me off him, but I cling tighter and shake my head.

Fuck that. I’ve found my safety and won’t let him go. If I have to, I’ll wrap myself around him and he can drag me with.

“Please.” I tug him toward the exit. I don’t want to be left alone again. Safety is right outside that door, but what if whoever attacked me has someone waiting?

Blake hesitates. He wants to go after the intruder. I can read it in his body language. His green eyes search mine. Whatever he sees is enough to convince him. He takes my hand and we begin down the stairs. Tension unwinds from my heart.

With every step, the adrenaline slowly leaves my body. Everything hurts and my feet begin to ache. When I lag behind, he turns and glances down at my bare feet.

Without a word, he swings me up into his arms, with one under my knees and the other under my shoulders, and carries me down the stairs. I wrap my arms around his neck and rest my chin on his shoulder.