Tease Me (Private Listing #4)

The spy that’s been contacting new customers and warning them about our “questionable morals.” We narrowed down which types of clients they’re contacting to set a trap. The only problem is Patrick.

“Are we sure the stalker isn’t Patrick?” I ask, because someone has to. “He knew Madison before.”

“He has a family.” Coop shakes his head. “He talks about his kids all the time. Shows me pictures. He barely remembers the current nanny’s name. I’m not surprised he doesn’t remember Madison. He’s at a benefit for work tonight so he couldn’t have been at the bar.”

Coop holds up a picture of Anna and Patrick Beck at a function.

I nod. It’s an alibi for tonight. If it was the stalker at the bar and not someone he hired like Valerie. Fuck. “I’ve called Bill. They’re going to check into the texts. But tonight we need to go to bed. It’s late.”

Seth nods. His gaze falls on Noah and Madison. “We can go to a hotel tonight. The team will do a sweep of the apartment tomorrow, just to make sure there aren’t any recording devices up here, but we can’t say for sure whether someone got into our suite during the false alarm.”

“If you think it’s safe, we can stay.” She turns her cheek to rest on Noah’s chest while she faces the rest of us. “I don’t want him to win. Obviously, he doesn’t want us to feel safe in our home.”

Standing, I step toward her. Her haunted eyes meet mine. I want to find that guy tonight and drag him through the same hell she’s been through. “Do you want to stay in my room or yours tonight?”

She sighs and releases Noah to come into my arms, wrapping her arms around my waist.

“We’ll all be more comfortable on your bed, but we can make mine work. For all of us.” I brush my hand over her hair and kiss the top of her head.

Her gaze lifts to mine. “We don’t have to?—‍”

“If it were just you and me, love, yeah, but we’re all gutted.” I meet all of their eyes, Seth’s, Coop’s, and Noah’s. These are my brothers and we won’t let our woman down. “We’re all together and we’re all here for you.”

Chapter 135

Goodwill

Madison

“I’ll be fine,” I assure Noah as we walk through the restaurant where I’m meeting Anna Beck for lunch. He wanted me to cancel, but I refuse to let the stalker control my life. A restaurant in the middle of the day should be safe.

The guys only agreed if one of them came with me.

“And I’ll be right here in case anything goes wrong.” His hand is on the small of my back. I’d prefer to be holding it, but while the stalker is on the loose, I’m Coop’s fiancée. Period.

Noah walks me all the way to the table where Anna stands, waiting. Her auburn hair is pulled into a loose bun with ringlets falling around her face. Her brown eyes smile at me. She’s wearing a pair of wide-leg pants that flow like a skirt to swirl around her nude high heels. Her matching wrap top is both stylish and simple. Diamonds flash at her ears and wrist and finger.

She looks effortlessly elegant. The first time I met her, I was in awe. She has a corporate job, a gorgeous home, a high-powered husband, and two adorable children. She’s living the dream.

“I’m so glad you could meet with me.” Anna grabs my arms and leans in to air-kiss next to my cheeks. She’s polite and a little cold, but I expect that. Her gaze flicks to Noah. “I didn’t know we’d have a plus-one.”

I glance at Noah and smile. “He isn’t staying.”

“Let me know when you’re ready to go.” He nods when I know he’d kiss me if he could. But we need to tackle one thing at a time. “Good seeing you again, Anna.”

“You too, Noah.” She smiles at his retreating form. “Bodyguard?”

“My bosses are a little protective right now since I was attacked.” I take the chair opposite her. “I was actually surprised you called so soon.”

It surprised me she called at all, but I don’t know what kind of agenda Anna might have. She was friendly enough when I worked for her, but we definitely weren’t lunch buddies back then. We rarely talked. I just watched her kids and did laundry and dishes when I could. I was the hired help. Maybe this is because of Coop?

She lifts her glass of white wine and swirls the liquid. “When I found out what happened at the benefit, I had to make sure you were okay. To be attacked by someone you used to know.” She shudders delicately and pouts at me. “I’m just glad my Patrick was there to save you.”

“Me too.” The memory of it isn’t as powerful as the incident with Jeff, but it still lingers. It was sudden and unexpected. If Patrick hadn’t shown up, I don’t know what I would have done. “You’ll have to thank him again for me. I’m just glad he was there before anything worse happened.”

“You’ll have a chance to thank him yourself when he’s in your office on Monday.” She sips her wine while observing me.

“I guess I’ll do that.” I’m not sure what she’s looking for or expecting from me. Taking a drink from my water glass, I glance around for the waiter. We don’t have menus, so I’m not sure if we’re just having a drink or lunch.