Page 46 of Knot your Princess
More tears fall when the realisation hits me. He cares about me, and not just in a bodyguard getting a fuck now and again way, but real feelings. I can see it swimming in his eyes.
Not knowing what to say, I lean against him again, pressing my lips to his warm skin as he tightens his arm around me.
The rest of the ride home is in silence which I’m grateful for because I have some things to figure out, and fast.
ChapterThirty-Two
Nico
When the van pulls up to the gates of the compound, I realise that Sophia has fallen asleep, leaning against me. I was so wrapped up in my failure to save her from whatever horrors had befallen her while she was held hostage that I didn’t even notice.
The electric gate slides open, and we drive through, pulling up the driveway outside the compound.
Quinn is waiting for us.
Franco called ahead to say we had Sophia with us. I’m not sure how we are going to explain this to Francesca, but that is Quinn’s problem. Not mine. My only concern is ensuring that nothing else happens to Sophia for the rest of her days.
When the van stops, the door is opened by Quinn.
“Sophia,” I murmur, gently nudging her awake.
“Hmm?” She opens her eyes and blinks slowly.
“We’re back at home.”
“Oh,” she says and sits upright. “Daddy.”
“Are you hurt?” Quinn asks gruffly, but I know it’s just to cover up his guilt and his pain over having lost her for this short period of time.
“I’m okay,” she says.
Franco, Cain, and Atlas climb out of the van first, but I wait with Sophia. When she smiles a wobbly smile up at me, I get out and hold my hand for her. She takes it, the other one clutching the blanket that is wrapped around her tightly.
As soon as her feet hit the ground, I sweep her up into my arms, holding her close. She is shivering.
“Let’s get you inside,” I murmur.
“Wait,” Quinn says.
“Later,” I state and brush past him, taking Sophia into the compound through the private entrance to the side. Whatever Quinn wants, it can wait. He has seen that she is alive, but she needs to rest right now.
“You’re cold,” I say, taking her into her room and closing the door.
Placing her on the bed, I pull the covers up over her. She turns her face into the pillow and lets out a soft sob that wrenches my heart.
“I’m so sorry,” I whisper to her. “I will never leave you again.”
“I’m glad you’re still alive,” she mutters. “I’m sorry that I put you in that position, and that I left you to die…”
I smile softly and brush her hair off her forehead. “You have nothing to apologise for. You didn’t leave me to die. I’m fine. I’m sorry you were taken, princess. It’s my job to protect you. I didn’t do that, and you were harmed.”
“No, I’m okay…”
“I found you stripped naked and nesting on the edge of your heat. That is not okay, Sophia. I will avenge you, I promise.”
“No…”
“Ssh,” I murmur, “Rest now. Your father will want to interrogate you, and you will need your strength for that tomorrow.”
