Stolen Moment [Enslaved & Enticed] (Siren Publishing Classic) by Tatum Throne

against the backdrop of a fading sun. The picture was beautiful and taken six months before her sister died.
    “Rylie?”
    “Were you following me?” she asked.
    “Rylie, let me explain.”
    She stood up and backed away. “Explain then.”
    “I funded several of your trips abroad.”
    She shook her head, confused. “Were you ever going to tell me?” she asked.
    “Yes. I was waiting for the right time.” He brushed a hand through his messed hair. “I was going to tell you this morning. I needed to know how you did it. How you found the things we were looking for.”
    She snorted and paced back, trying to get away. “You used me?”
    “No. I didn’t use you. Did it matter to you who gave you the money to do what you loved?”
    She let out a harsh breath. “No. Did you know the pendant was cursed?”
    “Not until I heard the news about your sister and brother-in-law. Please trust me. I would’ve saved all of you had I known about the curse. I’m sorry. I should’ve known.”
    “Why should I trust you? Why should I believe you?”
    He turned her chin gently until she faced him. “You aren’t like any other woman I’ve ever met before. I wasn’t using you.”
    “Trey.”
    “I’ve told you everything. There’s nothing else you don’t know.”
    Could she trust him? Did she want to trust him? She had no true answer to that. All she could hold onto was how good he made her feel. There were more secrets swirling through this man. Would he ever trust her enough to tell her everything?
    Swirls of orange clouded her vision from the sunlight rising about the tree line.
    She was tired of trying to figure everything out. She needed time. She needed distance to clear her head. When she was with Trey, her heart took the lead and her mind followed.
    “I won’t hurt you.”
    “I wish you would’ve told me.”
    Trey drew her in for a slow passionate dance of their lips. The kiss stole her breath away and made her think about a future with Trey, one that involved them living happily ever after. That had her opening her eyes and pulling away.
    “I’m sorry I didn’t, beautiful,” Trey said. “We’re a team. I won’t be keeping anything from you ever again. I promise. It’s not just you. I keep track of all my people before I bring them on.”
    She looked toward the files on the table. “What happens now?”
    “Our next meeting is Friday night. We’ll be going over our next target. I want you there.”
    “I will be.”
    She ran her hands through her hair. She didn’t want to think about the future and the possibility that Trey didn’t want the same things she did. What if she asked about the long-term and he said no? It would totally ruin what they had now. She couldn’t and wouldn’t ruin what they had by asking Trey for more. Rylie had to get out of there. She could see herself falling so hard that she couldn’t ever recover from the impact.
    “I have to get to work,” she said.
    “I’ll drive you home.”

Chapter Fifteen
     
    Rylie’s heart was hammering as she pulled up to Trey’s house. There were a line of cars down the driveway. Rylie had spent the last forty-eight hours catching up at work and playing phone tag with Trey. They both led busy lives. The front door to Trey’s opened before she could knock. Trey was on the other side in jeans and a button down shirt. He stepped out onto the porch, closing the door behind him . His hands came to her face.
    “Hey, babe.” They kissed passionately , and he was smiling when he pulled away. “You ready to do this?”
    “I am.”
    Trey led the way inside and into his living room. Only half his team was there. “You remember Poppy Bishop, Tice Avery, and Caven Pride.”
    “Hello again,” Rylie said.
    She sat down next to Caven on the leather couch. Poppy and Tice were on the other. Trey came in with a file and passed it to Tice.
    “As promised. I got those pictures of the cuff. It’s our next target,” Trey began.
    “Has it