Page 25 of Protected By Her Daddy

She nods, understanding without needing further explanation. Moving close, she wraps her arms around me, tucking her head beneath my chin. “I’m here with you now, Gabe. I know you’ll keep me safe.”

Gabe. Only my mother called me Gabe, but it feels right on Wren’s lips. Intimate. Having her warm, soft body in my arms dissipates the last of my anger.

Wren pulls back to look at me. She reaches up, cupping my cheek, her blue eyes searching mine. “You’re always looking after others. But you’re important to me, and I need you to promise me you’ll keep yourself safe too.”

I drop my forehead to hers. I know I’m walking a tightrope. If I fall, I’ll dive headfirst into this amazing woman, whether she’s ready or not.

“Promise me,” she repeats.

I hold her tighter and summon a smile. “Cross my heart.”

She lets out a surprised yelp as I lift her into my arms and carry her to the sofa. I set her down gently and cover her with a blanket.

“Rest. I’ll be back soon.”

“Gabriel?” She snags my hand as I turn away. Her smile lifts in a smile, lighting up the room like sunshine breaking through storm clouds. “Thank you.”

I raise her hand to my mouth, pressing a kiss to her knuckles. “I’d tear this city apart brick by brick to keep you safe, keep you smiling like that.”

But as I leave her reading a book on her phone and head to my office to make some calls, a nagging question worms its way into my thoughts: how long can I keep her safe from me?

“Focus, Gabriel,” I chide myself, picking up the phone. Time to break some necks. Figuratively speaking—for now.

Chapter 8

Wren

I stand at the floor-to-ceiling windows of the penthouse, gazing at the rain-soaked city below. Car headlights stream like rivers of light through the streets, and the occasional flicker of traffic signals adds a pulse to the city's heartbeat. Reflections shimmer on wet surfaces, turning the night into a canvas of illuminated wonder. I shiver despite the warmth of the room, knowing the dangers that lurk out there.

Moving to the couch, I tuck my legs beneath me and sip my hot chocolate.

“Enjoying your drink?” Gabriel asks, sauntering into the living room from the kitchen with his mug of black coffee.

“It’s delicious. Who knew billionaires could make hot chocolate from scratch?” I tease.

“Just one of my many skills.” He grins, sitting beside me, an arm stretched along the back of the couch.

When he’s close, I feel it all over. And every time I move away from him, the magnetic pull of his presence tugs me back to his side.

But it’s been three days since I told him the reason I fled my house, and he hasn’t touched me since. It’s confusing, this dance we’re doing, and I still can’t figure him out.

His reaction that night was revealing. He wanted to kill Gregory and Jerry. For me. No one has ever had my back like Gabriel. I love how protective he is. I’m starting to love him. But is falling in love a risk I can take? Letting Gabriel in would be like handing my entire future to him and trusting him to take care of it. Can I do that?

My heart stutters as I set my mug down on the coffee table. “Gabriel?”

“Yes, Wren?” He turns slightly toward me, his body language open but cautious.

“Have you ever felt, I don’t know, like you wanted something you shouldn’t?” The words tumble out before I can stop them.

I hold my breath, waiting for his reply. For a moment, he watches me, but I can’t read his expression.His hand moves, brushing a stray lock of hair from my forehead, and my whole body leans into that fleeting touch.

“Sometimes, wanting isn’t the problem,” he finally says. “It’s whether it’s wise to act on those wants.”

“Right,” I whisper, looking down at my hands. “Wise.” That’s Gabriel. And me? Not so much. But my heart pounds with the possibility of being reckless for once.

Gabriel downs his coffee—the man’s mouth must be lined with Teflon—and clears his throat. “I, uh, have a surprise for you,” he says, standing abruptly.

“A surprise?” I echo. My heart does an odd flip. I’m not used to surprises, at least not pleasant ones.

---