Chapter 109
In an instant, Maeve felt as if a venomous snake was slithering up her spine. A lingering, icy dread paralyzed her, making it almost impossible to breathe.
Standing right next to her, Jonathan noticed her shoulders trembling. Her face, already pale from the cold, looked ghostly white under the streetlamps, completely drained of blood.
His fingers twitched at his sides. Suppressing the urge to reach out to her, he took a step forward, firmly positioning himself between Maeve and the looming threat.
Meeting Frederick’s murderous stare head-on, he spoke in an even tone.
“Maeve and I just grabbed some dinner p>
A cold, mocking smile tugged at the corner of Frederick’s mouth.
“I don’t recall asking p>
Jonathan frowned. Frederick’s gaze darkened as he stared right back.
Their eyes locked in a silent war.
Frederick’s eyes blazed with a fierce warning, like a dominant lion whose territory had just been breached, his entire body radiating hostility toward the intruder.
A second later, Frederick was the first to break eye contact. His gaze shifted to the sliver of Maeve’s light blue dress peeking out from behind Jonathan. His chest heaved as his eyes grew even darker.
“Maeve, come here p>
Maeve pressed her lips tightly together. She slipped Jonathan’s jacket off her shoulders, smoothed it out, and handed it back to him.
“Jonathan, thank you for today p>
Jonathan took the jacket. Looking at the fragile light fracturing in her eyes, he hesitated, swallowing his words several times.
Sensing his worry, she gave him a small, reassuring smile before turning to walk toward Frederick.
Jonathan watched her slender silhouette stretch out under the streetlights. She looked so ethereal that he feared a strong gust of wind might blow her away. A sharp ache pierced his heart as he watched her leave.
He waited until she had reached Frederick’s side before taking a deep breath and getting back into his car. Then, an idea striking him, he pulled out his phone and fired off a text.
[I need you to look into something for me p>
A reply came swiftly.
[Done p>
Inside the neighborhood complex.
Maeve and Frederick stared at each other in total silence.
She had fully expected him to barrage her with aggressive questions.
But he didn’t. Even though his body was rigid with tension and his dark expression screamed hiss displeasure, he didn’t interrogate her, nor did he storm over and roughly yank her arm like he used to
Yet Maeve still couldn’t relax.
Compared to the Frederick who wore his explosive temper on his sleeve, this disturbingly quiet version was entirely unpredictable.
Maeve’s chest tightened. Refusing to stand off with him any longer, she lowered her eyelashes and brushed past him, heading toward Wisteria Cove.
As she led the way, she could hear his steady footsteps trailing right behind her.
The dull thud of his expensive leather shoes against the cobblestone path chipped away at her fragile nerves.
A sudden wave of goosebumps broke out over Maeve’s arms, and she couldn’t help but quicken her pace.
She walked the rest of the way with her nerves strung tight. The moment she stepped into the living roomy she heard the heavy click of the front door locking behind them.
Panic exploded in her chest. Maeve broke into a frantic jog toward the staircase.
But in the next second, a pair of powerful arms clamped around her waist.
Maeve gasped, looking down at the arms imprisoning her. The veins beneath his skin bulged with raw, terrifying strength that she had no hope of fighting off.
She struggled wildly, but her strength was useless. She couldn’t move him an inch.
“Frederick, you p>
Suddenly, a hot, wet sensation pressed against her neck, accompanied by the sharp sting of teeth scraping against her flesh. The words died in her throat morphing into a strangled whimper.
“Mmph p>
Realizing exactly what he was doing, Maeve thrashed even harder, but it only earned her a tighter, more punishing grip.
The damp, searing kisses grew heavier, sucking mercilessly at her skin.
Vivid red marks bloomed across the luminous skin of her neck.
His broad, muscular chest pressed flush against her back, completely swallowing her smaller frame.