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I pull into the car park, right next to her Audi.

Good girl.

I wanted to tell her about her Renault, but it could’ve fucked everything up. I don’t think I could handle what would’ve happened had I told her.

I want to tell her. I will eventually.

But how can I know that she won’t run? That she won’t leave me?

I need her to know that everything I do is for her. For her safety. To keep her safe.

I need her to understand that.

I grab my duffel bag from the passenger seat and lock the car behind me. The rain between the car park and DL is pelting down heavily now, almost blurring out the entire back entrance of the club. I tug my blazer over my head and take long strides towards the entrance. The wind whips at my body, almost knocking me off balance. The door shuts behind me, drowning out the sound of the storm. I dump my soaked blazer on the floor along with the bag and enter the main room.

“Camila?” I call out, but it’s completely empty. The lights have been dimmed back down to the low glow of pink after cleaning.

I pull my phone out of my back pocket, opening the cameras.

I flick through every screen, but… nothing.

Until the last camera, right outside of the dressing room. And there she is. Pressed up against the wall with one of the security guards.

White-hot rage surges through me as I slam open the doors to the backstage area. I throw the phone behind me, not giving a shit about whether it smashes.

I storm through the winding hallways, finally coming up to the one Camila is in. My pulse elevates at the sight, and my muscles twitch with adrenaline as I watch the fucker reaching out towards her.

I lean against the wall, steadying myself and my thought process.

Because if I come any closer, I might just put a bullet through this fucker’s head without warning.

“Take one more step towards her, and you’ll be crawling out of here,” I threaten, and I almost don’t recognise my own voice.

His blonde head snaps towards me as he jumps back from Camila.

Jayden has always been afraid of me. So it’s no surprise that now he’ll act like nothing was happening.

I flick my gaze to Camila, who looks just as surprised as Jayden does. My heart skips a beat as her green eyes assess me. I can’t see the colour of them in this light, but I’ve memorised every shade in those irises.

Her knees are shaking, and she's slowly inching away from Jayden.

My head turns dizzy with fury. I’d love nothing more than to snap the legs off this asshole in front of her and show her just how far I’m willing to go for her. But that would scare her off.

No one would know Jayden is missing. The cameras are easy to wipe.

But I’m keeping it all together for her.

I take a deep mental breath as I look at her, reminding myself who this restraint is for. Ignoring that obsessive voice in my head.

See? No need for medication. I can control it.

“I’m sorry, Mr Warren,” Jayden murmurs, dipping his head low and following the silent command my presence alone gives him.

He nears me, but before he can get past, I grip his arm firmly, halting him in place. Camila’s breath catches at the motion, but I keep my eyes locked on hers, attempting to mentally communicate that she’s safe.

I yank Jayden closer to me. I don’t try to be quiet; I want her to hear this. I need her to know the type of man that I am—that there are no bounds to the lengths I’d go to for her.

“If I ever see you talking to Camila again, I will rip your fucking tongue out of your mouth, do you understand me?”