Page 118 of Redeeming the Villain

Grabbing it, I turn around and launch it as far as I can without thinking twice. “What do you think?”

Sunny yelps as they close in tighter on me, someone probably stepping on her, and I feel like I’m going to explode like a bomb.

I have to protect her first. I know she’s just confused and scared.

Crouching down, I wrap my arms around her and take a deep breath before hauling her up. “Move!” I yell, my voice cracking with frustration.

I kick my leg out, and one of them grunts and shifts out of the way, opening a tiny gap in the wall of flashes. Bursting through it, I run, carrying Sunny’s fifty-pound body in my arms, each step feeling heavier than the last.

The group follows me at an uncomfortably close distance. When I set Sunny down, she immediately starts to jog with me, and we round the corner to the path toward the dorm.

“Thank God,” I exhale, seeing my heroes running right toward me.

I couldn’t be happier to see Malik and Phillip as they lead the group of hockey players, closing the distance between us.

Malik instantly tucks me behind him, spinning to me as the rest of the guys rush past us, chasing the reporters away.

“Hey, I’m right here,” Malik murmurs, assessing me for injuries, but he won’t see any on the outside.

My heart rate is rising, not only from the physical exertion of picking Sunny up and running, but also the stress of whatever the fuckthatwas. God, it’s been years since I had to deal with the press. But it’s even worse with my dad’s announcement of his run for US senator.

Walking out of the way of everyone else, I drop my backpack to the ground.

Crouching down, Malik stops me, but only for a second as he drops to the paved walkway, pulling me down into his lap, my side against his chest.

“I’ve got you. Deep breaths, baby.” Malik kisses my temple repeatedly, lightly wrapping his arms around me.

Sunny lies down, resting her head over my thighs, and I pet her, trying to distract my mind while I force the breaths in and out.

Sometimes, my panic will only worsen my symptoms. I need to calm myself, calm my heart rate. Freaking out only worsens it.

Malik rubs my back, whispering softly in my ear, “There you go. That’s it.”

After about five minutes, I’m feeling good enough to get moving. I just want to get home and lock myself inside. A few of the guys trickle back over to us after scaring the media away.

“Thank you.” I look up at them as they come to a stop in front of us.

“No problem.” Asher smiles. “It was fun actually. Besides, you’re practically a legend, like the rest of us.” His gaze falls from me to Malik.

Phillip crouches down in front of me. “Hey, how are you doing?”

Shrugging, I sigh. “Feeling better. But you know … how loving our dads can be.”

He clicks his tongue. “Sure do.”

“Come on, baby. Let’s get to your room,” Malik murmurs into my ear, sliding his arm beneath my knees and his other around my back.

I inch forward to slide off of him, but he grabs me firmly.

“Uh-uh. You’re not walking.”

I’m surprised he didn’t freak out over Phillip being here.

Phillip sticks his arm out, bends down, and grabs Sunny’s leash. “Why don’t I take this pretty girl for a walk while you get her settled in?”

Malik smirks. “Sounds good to me. Bug?”

Nodding, I agree, “She would love that. Besides, you’re probably far more at her pace than I am. Would you grab my backpack, please?”

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