Page 14 of Protected By Her Daddy

“Dr. Sanderson ran various tests. He saw your scars when he treated your wound. Said several of them look like cigarette burns,” Gabriel clarifies, his jaw clenching as if he’s angry on my behalf. Is he?

I don’t confirm or deny his unspoken question. Raising my chin, I hold his gaze. “How do you know so much about me?”

“It’s my business to know. I own a security company, so I had Ed run a background check on you,” he says unapologetically.

I furrow my brow. “Ed? The guy who was with you earlier?”

Gabriel nods. “He’s my best friend and second in command.”

I raise an eyebrow. “Second in command? You sound like a general.”

His deep chuckle does odd things to my lower belly despite the discomfort from my wound.

“Captain, actually. Or I was. Ed and I are ex-Navy SEALs. Grew up together. Served together. Bass was also in our unit. I used my government connections to establish Burns SafeGuard when we mustered out and brought Ed in with me.”

I narrow my eyes suspiciously. “You’re very… forthcoming for someone whose business depends on covertness.”

His mouth quirks in a sexy half-smile. “Oh, believe me, I’m usually a very private man. But I want you to trust me, Wren.”

“Why?” I ask bluntly.

“Because despite your circumstances and all the people who’ve let you down, you still threw yourself between a knife-wielding maniac and a perfect stranger with no thought for your safety.”

I shrug my uninjured shoulder. “Don’t read too much into it. I acted on instinct.”

Gabriel smiles slightly, eyes narrowing as if he sees right through me. “Instinct is the purest expression of who we are at our core. At that moment, your instinct wasn’t about survival but protecting someone else. I trust my instincts, and they tell me that you’re an honest person in a situation not of your making. Who put you in that situation, Wren? Gregory Sanchez?”

I shudder at the mention of his name, fighting tears as I drop my eyes to the luxurious bedsheets. Egyptian cotton, no doubt, judging by the luxury surrounding me. It’s evident that Gabriel is a wealthy man.

“What did he do to you?”

“He destroyed what little hope I had left. Turned my mother into an addict and made my life a living nightmare. That’s why I… why I ran.” I don’t mention Gregory and Jerry’s plans for me. I’m not ready to share that with anyone, even this man who seems too good to be true. Those secrets are mine alone. “And I left her,” I whisper as a hot tear slides down my cheek. “I left my mom with him.”

Gabriel raises my head with a gentle finger under my chin, wiping away the solitary tear with his thumb. “Your mother is safe, Wren. I had Ed go to your house with two of my men. Gregory was gone, but your mother was there. She’s being moved to a rehabilitation facility run by a friend of mine as we speak. She’ll be safe there, and she’ll get the help she needs.”

I look at Gabriel in shock, unable to form words.

“Gregory won’t harm you or your mother again, Wren. No one will because you’re under my protection now. You’ll stay here while you recover. Longer, if you choose. It’s the least I can do after you saved my life. You’re safe here. You have my word.”

Does he know how much I want to believe him? How long it’s been since I felt safe? How often I feared the worst living with Gregory?

I don’t know why, but I believe him. I shouldn’t, but he’s saying all the right things. Trust is hard for me. But something about Gabriel calms some of those deep-seated splinters of fear. Not all of them. Some are buried so deep that they may never work their way to the surface.

But he came to my rescue in that alley when he didn’t have to. He risked his life for me. He could’ve driven on by and left me to my fate—another unfortunate crime statistic.

I sigh, exhaustion and pain winning over my uncertainty. All the shit I’ve buried deep that I never wanted to think about ever again comes rushing to the surface, and I allow myself to cry for the first time in years. Huge, gut-wrenching, gasping sobs that probably sound like I’m dying. But I’m not dying, thanks to this man.

I tense as Gabriel gathers me carefully into his arms. And then I sag against him, accepting the comfort I so desperately crave. I give into the need to have someone look after me, to take the weight of the world off my shoulders, even if it’s only for a little while. I’ve battled alone for so long, and I’m so tired. I feel so much older than twenty-one.

Gabriel cups my head to his chest with one hand, stroking the other over my back as he croons words of comfort. “I’ve got you, sweetheart. Let it all out.”

Minutes pass as I do just that while Gabriel shelters me in his strong arms, keeping the world at bay while I release years of sadness and fear and uncertainty. So many emotions.

Finally, the sobs slow to hiccups and then sniffles. I disentangle myself reluctantly from the haven of Gabriel’s embrace, leaning against the pillows, exhausted from the emotional release and the discomfort of my shoulder.

“I… Thank you. Not many people would have done what you did. What you’re doing.” I sniffle softly, hating that I feel so weak. “All this”—I wave a hand around me—“It’s... a lot.” I close my eyes briefly. “I can’t think straight. And, ugh, I got your shirt all wet.”

Gabriel’s large hand stalls mine as I dab ineffectually at the wet spots on his white shirt from my tears. He enfolds my right hand in his, resting it on his thigh. “I have plenty more. Rest now. You need to heal. We can talk more tomorrow.”

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