Page 201 of Indecent Obsession

In the elevator, I put on Peabody’s leash and keep him in my arms as he licks my chin.

“I love you too, buddy.” Fuck, I forgot my phone.

The elevator doors open on the first floor and a woman narrows her eyes at me before stepping on. She looks vaguely familiar, but I dismiss her as I walk across the lobby. The doorman tips his head to me.

I smile and head out into the night. The street is mostly quiet as I wait for the light to change and take Peabody over to the edge of the park. I definitely don’t want to venture too far away from the building or into the park. From here, the doorman can still see me.

A little shiver races through me as I search the street while Peabody does his business. A few black cars linger outside buildings. It’s Saturday night, so it’s not out of the ordinary. Peabody yips at me.

“You all done?” I stoop to pick him up and walk to the curb as a black car rolls by slowly. The hair stands up on the back of my neck and I take a step away. I try to shake off the weird feeling, but the car stops in front of me.

I glance over at the building lobby, but I don’t see the doorman.

Fuck this. I hurry to the end of the car to walk around it.

“Excuse me, Ms. Morris.”

I pause at Peter Sokolov’s voice and turn to see him stepping out from the black car. My brow furrows and everything inside me screams, Run. That would be ridiculous. My mother’s voice tells me to behave and act like the lady I am.

What the hell is he doing here?

He smiles. “Like I said, you’re very hard to find alone, but I must insist you come with me.”

“I need to get back to bed.” My pulse quickens and my hands shake. I should have run.

I take a step in the opposite direction of him and hit a wall with my shoulder. Peabody barks. My gaze collides with a black jacket and rises to the man who watched me in the bar. And the street outside our townhouse.

The bottom drops out of my stomach. I gasp and turn to run too late. His hand grabs my upper arm. Peabody growls but I keep him from biting the man. I don’t want them to hurt my dog.

“Join me, Ms. Morris. It’s not a request.”