Chapter 20 The Greatest Escape

KREW

I threw all curses known to humans for the reason that I couldn’t just fire him. His wife just gave birth to their firstborn.

I was a little bit impressed if I was being honest. And I should have known that River would escape. I didn't see she had that in her. I guessed she was right. I didn’t know anything about River. I gave her credit for doing what she thought the best for her.

All I wanted was what was best for her despite declining my offer. I had not told her anything, yet she was already running away. I should have been careful with my approach, but she didn’t even give me a chance to explain what I truly wanted and what secrets I had been keeping from her that either could change or jeopardize our relationship. Now she was gone.

Before she left to get her things, I could see the pain and disappointment in her eyes. That was why I decided to let her go, for now. Maybe she could think when she was far from me. When she was not carried away by our feelings. There were a lot of maybes. I regretted it, though. I regretted that I didn’t say goodbye to her, but I knew in my bones that it was far from over.

For the second time, my phone buzzed in less than thirty minutes. I knew the call was from Conner. I arrived just an hour after them with the company jet.

“Mr. Selik, the light in her apartment is still on. I couldn’t confirm if it was her or not.”

“Stay where you are until I get there.” I hung up the call and instructed my driver to send me to River’s apartment.

I knew the building owner and the landlord. I had someone talked to them about River’s case, and they made sure to inform me if Briar appeared at the front door.

In less than an hour, my driver parked the car in front of the building. I was instantly approached by Conner, looking guilty that a woman outsmarted him.

“The lights were off after my call, but she did not go out.”

“Go home. I can take it from here,” I dismissed him.

“Lake, go home. I’ll be fine.” My driver happened to be my bodyguard when I was not sulking in my home. My brother made sure he hired someone who could protect me even from those women who wanted to throw themselves at me. Kai’s words, not mine.

“Are you sure, Mr. Selik?” He did not look happy with my decision.

“Yeah. I might stay until morning. Go ahead. I’ll ring up if I need you.” I climbed out of the car before he could say something like protocol or details shit like that.

The landlord and the guard walked in my direction as I entered the lobby. “Good evening, Mr. Selik. Good to see you this fine evening.”

“You know the reason why I am here. You talked to one of my men days ago.”

“Yes, Mr. Selik. Miss Rouge has arrived this afternoon with her roommate. And she didn't have any visitors so far. Let me assist you in her apartment.”

I raised my hand. “That won’t be necessary.”

He handed me the key. “Eighth floor, apartment 808.”

“There’s no deadbolt in her door, is there?”

“No sir.”

“So my PI is right. How about your fire exit?”

“It’s functional, sir. The building has passed its inspection, and we just renewed our permit six months ago.”

“Just make sure to inform me when that asshole shows his ass into the premises.”

“Of course, sir.”

I entered the elevator and pressed button number eight. I was still on edge for not telling her my plan, and she thought that I was just throwing her out of the curb because I didn’t get what I wanted. And it hurt like fuck. On the other thought, I was excited to see those beautiful eyes again, and I wasn’t sure how she would react upon seeing me again. In her room.

She was paranoid and terrified enough that I might give her a heart attack. So I unlocked the door and entered, making sure I didn’t create any noise. Once I was in, I went towards her room. It wasn’t that I was here before, but my PI sent me a few photographs of the apartment with the floor plan.

I happened to call her friend Journey earlier the moment Conner informed me that River managed to escape on his watch. Luckily, Journey was glad to help me for the sake of her friend.

I unlocked the door of her room, slowly squeezed the doorknob, and opened it enough that I could fit in. River liked to sleep in the dark while I chose to keep the lights on. I tiptoed like a thief and flicked the lamp on her nightstand.

She sounded asleep on the right side of the bed. The space was calling me. She managed to sleep like dead while I was still wide awake worried about her well-being and safety. I sat on the sofa and watched her asleep like the fucking creep I was.

I silenced my phone and slipped it back into my coat after I texted her friend.

I could watch her sleep all night, and I wouldn’t get tired of looking at how beautiful and peaceful her face was. She was like a calm current in the sea, so unpredictable. She looked like she could barely hurt a fly when asleep, but she could break and hurt even just through her words.

A few hours later, I yawned. I took off my jacket and placed it on the armchair of the sofa. I stretched my legs and arms. When River stirred, I froze and prayed she would not wake up. Too late. She must have felt someone’s presence. I knew that feeling—the feeling of being watched.

She stopped, froze, jolted to sit on the bed with a horror look on her face. River stared at me for a few seconds, didn’t move nor blink. Her beautiful blue eyes were enormous.

I tried hard to hold into my sanity not to crawl to her to bed, kiss her senseless, and tell her it’s just me.

She denied me, and as much as I wanted to kiss her and fuck her all night, I wouldn’t do that. I had no problem with my self-control even she would dance naked in front of me. The latter wasn’t entirely true.

Finally, she gulped and pulled the blanket up her neck. “What the hell are you doing here? And how did you get into my apartment, into my freaking room?” Her voice was shaky. Poor girl, I completely frightened her. “Don’t tell you bought this building or bribed the guard down.”

“I’m hurt that you even have to ask. I have resources, access, money, and power, River. But no. I didn't buy or pay anyone. I did a little chitchat with the owner of the building and your landlord, though. I can be a little persuasive when I wanted something,” I told her the truth.

“Stop doing this, Krew. I could have died in a heart attack.”

I sighed. I needed to calm down. “There should be a deadbolt in each of the doors, River.”

“You did not answer my question? And that something, what’s that supposed to mean?”

“You managed to escape from Conner. Why did you do that? And why did you come back here when you know that the first thing your ex would be looking for you is here.”

“I’m not under your protection program anymore. The moment you threw me out of your house like a rag, I had nothing to do with you anymore. And I don’t care if he comes to haunt me. I will dial 911 the moment he appears on my door. I should have done that first thing before I ran to you asking for help. Obviously, coming to you was a mistake.”

“I didn’t throw you out. If you only followed Conner, you would understand why I asked you to go with him.”

“You did not ask me. You ordered. No. You commanded me to pack my things because I’m leaving. Those are your words, not mine.”

I sighed deeply. “I’m sorry. I was upset about how my proposal has ended. Then I watched how you and Aaren interacted pretty well.”

“And? We worked together as an instructor and a student. What’s wrong with being polite? You should try it sometimes and not just bark around like a rabid dog.”

“And he also wanted to fuck you the first time he saw you,” I grunted. I would lose my sanity and developed a brain stroke if I stayed calm.

She scoffed, eyes round like marbles. “You’ve misread Aaren, dumbass. And so what if he wanted to fuck me? At least he acted upon his wants.”

I hesitated for a moment if I should say something out of my anger or I should keep it to myself, but I chose what my guts told me. “So if I do what I want right now, would it please you?” My nose flared. Dangerous adrenaline began to work up through my blood, making me feel like to control this situation.

She gulped and licked her lips. She must have noticed my change of mood into lethal and feral like an animal to its prey. “Why are you here?”

Breaking my gaze, I breathed deeply and raked my fingers through my hair. “To take you home.”