“Let’s not get carried away. I’ll have someone reach out about us trying again in a few days.” This time it’s him that surprises me.
Locke doesn’t wait for anyone to say any goodbyes before he is leading me out of the suite and toward the back service elevators. They slide open, and we step on. I expect him to let my hand go, but he doesn't. I don’t try to pull away either because I find it comforting.
“Thank you,” I say when the door closes and we’re all alone. I swear the elevator has shrunk, but I know it’s Locke’s size that has it feeling that way. The man is massive. My hand is engulfed in his.
“You’re not pissed?” I shake my head no. “Good. That’s going to make a lot of things easier.” Before I can ask what he means by that, the elevator doors are opening again. I gasp when I see all the photographers outside of them. They click away, taking their pictures. The ones they’ll use to write lies about me.
Locke pulls me against him, wrapping his arm around me. I melt into him, hiding my face in his side. I think they’re all shocked at seeing me with him because it takes them a second to start firing off their questions.
“Were the nude pictures ones you sent to Charlie?”
“Are you two finally admitting you're together?”
“Was it Charlie who leaked the photos in revenge?”
“Is this the man you left Charlie for?”
Locke guides me out of the elevator. It takes a moment for their questions to actually sink in. The pictures are out. I knew it was only a matter of time. This must have been why Locke said we needed to leave. A pang of disappointment fills me. I thought he made up a lie to get me out of Randle’s suite and the bed he was trying to get me into. I know it’s irrational. The only thing that matters is that he got me out of there.
“In,” Locke says. I lift my head to see we’re now outside and next to the open door of an SUV. He doesn’t give me a chance to get in. His hold on me releases but only to move to my hips. He lifts me into the SUV, shutting the door quickly once I’m in. The spot where his fingers had dug into my hips tingles, the feel of his touch lingering on me.
I expect the vehicle to take off. But to my surprise, the other back door opens, and Locke slips in. Once his door is shut, we finally take off.
“Charlie!” I remember going for my purse to call him.
“Who is Charlie?” Locke's deep voice rumbles inside the vehicle. Is it me or does he sound annoyed?
“Wright,” the driver answers, before I can give Locke Charlie's last name.
“We already have him. He’s speaking to one of my men now.”
“Your men?” I ask.
“I own Locke Security.”
“Right.” He must think I’m so stupid. “Why do you have Charlie?”
“Going over a few details.”
“The pictures? He doesn't even know about them.” I’m quick to defend Charlie. He’s one of the few people I’ve met in Hollywood that is genuine. He would never betray me.
“It’s standard protocol when I take on a case. I talk to everyone close to my client. Is that going to be a problem for you?” he challenges. I shake my head no. “You’re not what I was expecting.”
“What does that mean?” I fold my arms over my chest, going on the defensive.
“You’re not getting all worked up.” He shrugs almost dismissively as he pulls out his phone and starts clicking away for a second.
My arms tighten around myself. I don’t know why hurt fills me suddenly, but it does. I want to be the brat he thinks I’m going to be and grab his phone out of his hand. His hand tightens on his phone. I gasp when a loud crack comes from it. The whole mood in the car shifts.
“Sir?” the man from the front seat says.
“I’m fine,” Locke growls out.
“The pictures?” I ask before I turn to stare out the window.
“Yes.”
“I didn’t take them.” I feel the need to defend myself.
“I know.”
“Right.” Of course he knows. It’s why he’s here to begin with. “What happens now?”
“I need you to understand how I operate,” Locke says, pulling my attention away from the window and back to him. “When you’re under my protection I all but own you.” The car suddenly jerks. My hand reaches to grab ahold of Locke.
“Rob,” Locke snaps at the driver.
“Sorry, sir,” the man rushes to say.
I suck in a breath as the unexpected lick of heat slips down my spine, ending between my thighs at Locke saying he’d own me. What the heck is going on with me?
“Your place is shit for security. I want to take you home with me for now. I can keep you safe there, not only from whoever this stalker is, but the tabloids won’t be able to get to you.”