Page 88 of Receiving His Mercy
“I’m losing my fucking mind. I can’t believe I thought that she was safely taking wedding photos and here she is . . . going into the most dangerous places on Earth and taking images like these.”
“To be fair, I think being a wedding photographer would come with its own dangers,” Rory said. “I’m so glad that Lacey wasn’t a bridezilla. Could you imagine if you messed up someone’s photos for their big day, though? What if you left the lens cap on? That would be a nightmare.”
There was a lot of noise from across the room and he turned.
Christ.
There she was.
She was toned down. Well, for her. She still stood out in a sea of muted tones, wearing a pink jumpsuit with a tie around thewaist and long sleeves. Her hair was pulled back off her face and had been curled. She even wore makeup.
God.
She was incredible.
His heart actually sped up as he watched her talking to the people around her. They were all gathering close, each one of them trying to speak to her.
He frowned. She was starting to look panicked. Her cheeks were growing pale.
Her agent was next to her. But instead of protecting her from the horde, he appeared to be pushing her into them.
“Can’t he see that she’s uncomfortable?” he grumbled as he took a step toward her. If that asshole wasn’t going to take care of her . . . well, Travis would have to step in.
Of course, her agent probably wouldn’t like how he did that. Neither would Caren.
“Whoa, what is he doing? Where is he going?” Rory asked. “Is he just going over there?”
“Yeah, I think so. Caren looks really uncomfortable, like she needs some help.”
Travis pushed his way through the crowd, people hurrying to get out of his way when they caught a glimpse of him, the irritated response dying on their lips. He stood behind a man who was getting right into her space. To the point that in an effort to get some space, she was about to overbalance and fall.
“You’re in her personal space. Back up.”
“Excuse me?” The man turned with a sneer. “Who the hell are you? Wait your turn. I’m talking to Ms. Stanford.”
“Well, Ms. Stanford is actually my girlfriend. So you’re the one who is going to have to wait their turn.”
The guy started spluttering, but Travis simply ignored him as he reached around and took hold of Caren’s hand, pulling her toward him.
Her mouth opened then shut as he drew her into his side, wrapping his arm around her waist.
“What are you doing?” she whispered.
“Do you want some help with this crowd? Do you want them out of your face?”
They were risky questions. She might say no that she was enjoying herself. But that would be a lie. She was extremely tense and he’d seen the pure discomfort on her face.
“Yes,” she replied.
“Then follow along with me.”
He wanted to tell her that he wasn’t acting. That she was going to be his. But this wasn’t really the time for that conversation. He hadn’t even sorted it all out properly in his head.
“I don’t know how you came to be here, but thanks,” she told him, sounding breathless.
There was still panic on her face which he didn’t like. He knew she’d be mortified if she had a panic attack here.
But how to help her? He was shit at this, but Tyler wasn’t here to guide him so he’d just have to do his best.
