Page 37 of Sip
With her leaning against the door, I slowly turn the knob and ease into the opening. My magnificent angel scrambles up from the carpet and crashes into me. Enveloping her in my embrace is easier than breathing.
“You’re okay!”
“Why wouldn’t I be?”
Uncertain what she knows, I play dumb. Ignorance is more than bliss in a situation like this. I’ve never protected anyone from the truth before, but instinct tells me I need to shield her.
“My door was locked and when I beat on it no one came for me or let me out.”
All I can think about now is her injuring herself in her escape attempt. I push her from my chest and grab her delicate hands, twisting her wrists side to side as I examine her smooth skin. No marks or bruises. Her fingers aren’t even red. The tension squeezing me releases, although my irritation ratchets up with her huffing and struggling. She has no right to be mad at me after what she’s done. “Never do anything to hurt yourself or my baby or I will light up that gorgeous ass of yours until you can’t sit down.”
I’ve never manhandled her this blatantly before, and her eyes widen while a gasp escapes her o-shaped mouth. She appears more shocked than upset. Her body leans toward me, almost in anticipation that doesn’t escape me. Despite her fear, she’s aroused by me touching her too. By my threat of spanking her. Although of course she still pouts a little.
“Well, I didn’t know what was going on. I was scared we were being attacked again and I–”
I lift her face to see mine. “You never have to be afraid.”
Breathing deep, I relax but don’t release my grip on her. “I would never let anything happen to you.”
“I know.”
She whispers and nods, watching me like I’m a wolf, and she’s my prey. Which is accurate.
“You also know I love you.”
An adorable blush blooms on her pretty face. She knows but guilt prevents her from easily admitting she loves me back. That’s okay. We’ve got plenty of time for her to feel comfortable telling me the truth.
“Why was I locked in? Did something happen?”
Oh yeah, Shane. I forgot all about him worrying over her. “Yes, but I don’t want to get into it right now. I have a meeting that might get a little dicey so I’m having Dees take you out of the house for a while just as a precaution.”
When she grabs my shirt all worried and fussy, I smile like a loon. My fragile pixie angel imagines she’s tough and wants to protect me.
“I don’t want to leave. What if you need me?”
I’ll always need you. “I’ll be fine. I’ll take care of this and then I’ll come get you.”
“You’ll come for me?”
Rather than my brother she means. “Yes me.”
Doubt creeps in, and she starts to look over my shoulder, already thinking ahead and out of this room. “What about Shane? I should make sure he’s okay with it, especially now that I’m pregnant. He said–”
“I don’t give a damn what he said.” My hand instinctively flies to her belly. The fierce love I have for him matches what I feel for her despite only knowing him for a few hours. Now I understand why people go ape shit over their kids, yet a few idiots don’t and I can’t fathom the ones who won’t kill for their children. “He’s not going to stop you. He always wants you to be safe too regardless of anything he said to you.”
Neither assertion is a lie. Although she still frowns, pondering if she should argue more. I kiss her forehead and drop to my knee to kiss my child too. When her hands drift through my hair, keeping the three of us connected, bonding our little family together, she proves I’ve done the right thing eliminating Shane from our lives before he could do anything to harm her.
“Killian.”
Her voice breaks, full of hormonal emotion, I guess. “I love him too baby girl, don’t ever forget that.”
I rise and engulf her until her breathing settles. Once the tears pass, I lead her downstairs to waiting Dees so he can keep her safe until I can do the job myself.
A glance at the closed office door confirms she’s still agonizing over leaving. Although I don’t allow myself to wonder if the concern is for him or me. Otherwise, the monster hiding within me will come out in a full jealous rage for a man I’ve already ended to protect them. I do permit myself a caress of her cheek and kiss on top of her head Dees’s opinion be damned. He’ll find out soon enough she’s mine now.
Ansel ensures our SUVs are already waiting. I escort her to the backseat of the bullet proof Bentayga. She deserves and receives the vehicle with the most power, Some fool may attempt to give chase but no one will outrun the protection I’ve set up for my girl.
Once she’s settled, still with her shoulders hunched in apprehension, but safe nonetheless, I hustle to the other Bentley and climb in the backseat as well. Loathe to be chauffeured around like a pussy, I play my part. The boss rarely drives himself to these kinds of discussion. I’ll get used to the new role, just like I will for being a husband and father.
