Page 77 of Forbidden Billionaire Protector

I shake my head, heading for the closet to properly hide my little secret. Meanwhile, Lily watches the news, certainly trying to see if she or the tour are mentioned somewhere.

“Stop worrying so much, princess,” I say as I remove my jacket and the gun holster.

“I can’t,” she says, “it’s been too quiet.”

And I sigh, pulling my t-shirt over my head to unfasten the vest. It’s been quiet indeed, so quiet it’s been unnerving. It’s to the point where I often catch myself biting on my nails.

I kick off my boots and go lie in bed with Lily, and she nestles herself against me like a baby bird under its mother’s wing. Her big, concerned eyes are glued to the television and, in my best attempt to divert her attention from it, I kiss the corner of her mouth until I see a smile.

“How about we watch a movie and let go of the news for a while, huh?” I suggest.

“Ugh, agreed,” she says. “Wanna help us pick a movie, Eric?”

Eric pauses the game again and looks at her with an interested expression. “Is it okay if it’s a cartoon, Ms. Rockwell?”

“Eric, I’m no longer your teacher… Call me Lily,” she says. “And a cartoon sounds great!”

We watch the cartoon. Later, Lily and I both hop in the shower - one at a time - and it’s time to leave for the venue.

I’m fully suited again and feeling in my natural element. This is war, after all, and I’m a soldier ready for battle.

“Dad, do you really have to wear that bulletproof vest?” Eric asks, peeking from behind his plushie, the worry in his voice breaking my heart.

“It’s just for safety, Eric.” I walk over to him and lean down to kiss the top of his head. He rubs the kiss away abruptly, but I’m still happy to get some affection. “Nothing will happen.”

“Let’s go?” Lily says, walking out of the bathroom in a miniskirt, tons of black studded belts, and a punk t-shirt, her makeup impeccable and her hair curled in sweet soft locks.

“Let’s,” I give her my arm to take, but she moves towards Eric first.

“Are you going to be okay alone, Eric?” she asks, full of concern. Eric just nods. “When you’re hungry just pick up the hotel phone and order room service.Your father is paying,” she confides to him in a loud whisper.

Lily comes to me and finally takes my arm. We walk through the door, and I give the final instructions to the security officer. In no time, we’re back at the concert venue, where I leave Lily in her dressing room, in the care of one of my officers. I then head straight into the crew’s break room, where my staff waits for their shifts to begin.

“Is everybody here?” I say in a loud tone to make sure I’m heard.

“Everyone but the one already on duty, sir,” a young man says.

“Good enough,” I say. “Now I want you to listen, and I want you to listen carefully. Just because this stalker has gone silent doesn’t mean we should start getting comfortable. We have to stay vigilant and not let our guard down.”

I look around the room. Everyone stands, hands tucked behind their backs, men and women alike ready to pounce at the first sign of danger.

"Nothing will pass through you," I continue, "You will notice every detail. You will search every purse and backpack. You will closely examine everyone's face to ensure no one in disguise gets in again. Is that clear?"

“Yes, sir,” the room replies as one.

“Good,” I say. “You’re free to go about your business.”

And with that, the people in the room resume their activities, some leaving for their duties, other resuming their breaks.

I leave the room as well, going back to the dressing rooms. There’s another officer posted at Sweets’ door, and I check in with him to see if everything is going alright. Thankfully, it is.

There’s less than half an hour until the show, and Lily’s band is gathered at her dressing room, smoking and drinking, and just being loud and free.

“Good night to all,” I say in a loud voice. The drummer puts out a suspicious cigarette and stashes it in his pocket.

I hide a smile, “Hey, I’m not a cop.”

The boy sighs with relief, and I pass by him, putting a hand on his shoulder to assure him that his vices are fine by me.

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