Page 122 of Ruined By Protection
I understand her fear. I've seen what violence does to people—how it changes them, marks them. But Hazel has an unwavering quality that she doesn't fully recognize yet.
"You'll still be you," I promise her. "The same courageous, beautiful woman who walked away from security to save herself. The same woman who makes me laugh and drives me crazy and sees things in me that no one else even bothers to look for."
Her lips curve into a small smile. "When you say it like that I almost believe it."
"Believe it," I tell her, leaning in to press my forehead to hers. "I'm not going anywhere, Hazel. Not unless you tell me to."
CHAPTER 38
Matteo
Iwatch Hazel from across the private jet's cabin. She's been staring out the window since takeoff, her delicate profile outlined against the darkening sky. The plane's engines hum steadily but the cabin remains quiet, heavy with unspoken tension.
Daniel and Noah sit farther back, giving us space. Noah scrolls through something on his phone, his face unreadable, while Daniel reviews the security plans for the Montgomery estate one last time.
It's been five hours since Hazel texted Elliott, agreeing to meet him at their country house outside Austin. Five hours of this silence that's slowly eating away at me.
I want to reach for her but something in her posture keeps me rooted to my seat. The soft leather creaks beneath me as I shift my weight, checking my watch for the dozenth time. We'll land in Austin in just under two hours.
"You should try to rest," I finally say, my voice sounding too loud.
"I can't sleep," she says simply.
I nod, understanding completely. "Water? Something stronger?"
"Water would be good."
I retrieve a bottle from the small galley, twist off the cap, and bring it to her with a crystal glass. Our fingers connect as she takes it and I feel her slight tremor.
"Sit with me?" she asks, barely audible.
I slide into the seat beside her, close enough to feel her warmth and take her hand. Outside the oval window, darkness has swallowed the clouds, leaving only our reflection in the glass.
She looks down at our joined hands. "I need to prepare for one of two scenarios. Either he'll make me pay for leaving or he'll try to convince me he can be a good husband." Her voice catches. "Either way, the hard part is that I need to act like I want this when I see him."
"You're stronger than you think, bella." I brush a strand of hair from her face. "I’ll be close by and you won't be alone with him for long."
She swallows hard. "I know. I know the plan."
"The moment you put your foot on the ground, we move in." I promise.
Hazel's head drops onto my shoulder. I watch her eyelids flutter, fighting sleep, before she finally surrenders to exhaustion.
My mind drifts back to last year: Lucrezia after her kidnapping. The haunted look in her eyes when we found her. The way she flinched at any sudden movement. How she'd check the corners of every room before entering, map her escape routes without even realizing she was doing it.
For weeks she barely spoke. Just sat by windows, staring out with empty eyes. The bruises faded from her skin long before the ones inside began to heal.
I remember the rage I felt then—cold, professional fury. I've known Lucrezia since she was seven years old, trailing after her brother with pigtails and a stubborn chin. I helped her with math homework. Taught her to drive. Watched her grow into a fierce, brilliant woman.
Seeing her broken like that—it was like watching someone snuff out the sun.
But this thing with Hazel... it's different.
With Lucrezia, I wanted justice. With Hazel, I want blood.
Hazel
I stand in the arrivals lounge, watching passengers stream out of the terminal. My heart pounds so hard I'm surprised no one can hear it. Every face that isn't Elliott's both relieves and terrifies me.
