Silence fell over the car.
“Did you hear me?” Saint prompted.
“Stop talking,” Talia bit out. “I’m trying to think of all the ways I can ruin that fucking pap’s life.”
“Jacob was just doing his job,” Saint explained softly. “Just like he was earlier with Jonny.”
Talia went quiet for a moment, and I could almost hear the cogs turning in her head. “The cops may turn up at your place, Saint. If they do, call me immediately. Let them in and answer their questions, explain what happened, and don’t leave anything out. Even the underwear thing. With any luck, I can get them to go back to the pap and try to pin him with some kind of sexual assault charge.” She started murmuring to herself. “We could use this to our advantage. Saint’s bodyguard is of such high moral standing that he won’t allow some pervert to take advantage of his client. I can work with that, no problem.”
“The guy was a fucking creeper,” I retorted.
I felt Saint’s shoulders tense up again, and I twisted my head to kiss her temple.
“I’ll go through all the online footage and patch some shit together,” Talia stated. “The other paps will be out to take you down, so their footage will favor the guy you dragged, but there’s also phone footage from some of the Dischordium fans who were outside waiting to see the boys. I could ask Noah to go onto his Instagram page and ask if any of them would send in what they’ve got. I’ll arrange a meet and greet to convey our gratitude.”
“Thanks, Tally,” Saint breathed.
“Remember. If the cops show up, call me. I’m too hyped to sleep, anyway. The guys from the security company are coming out, too, so I don’t think you two will get much rest either.” Talia sighed. “I’ve canceled your credit card, too, and your new cell phone should be with you by nine in the morning.”
Saint smiled, shaking her head. “What would I do without you?”
“Live a phoneless, keyless, and broke life because somebody maxed out your credit card,” Talia replied. “Remember, keep me posted.” And with that, the line clicked as Talia ended the call.
Despite the disastrous night, I chuckled. “I should take you to Virginia before we go to New York. You need some fucking peace from all this bullshit.”
Saint’s neck twisted, and she peered into my eyes. “Really?”
“I was joking, baby. Our home and base is an old hotel, which is great if you’re a biker, but I’m not sure it’s the kind of place you’ll feel comfortable in. The guys are great, but they’re fuckin’ crazy, and we’d get zero privacy.”
“Do you share a room?” she asked.
“No, I’ve got my own space, but I live communally. I keep meaning to look for places nearer town, but there’s been no urgent need, and with my work, I’m not there all the time, anyway. Still, your pad puts mine to shame.”
“I love my house,” Saint mused. “But it’s just a house. With all this stalker bullshit, it’s lost its shine a little because I don’t feel totally comfortable there anymore. It’s made me realize that home is about safety and the people in it, not the environment.” Her eyes held mine, and she smiled softly. “Home wouldn’t be home without you.”
“Baby,” I murmured, my voice husky with emotion. I cupped her jaw and turned her face toward me, lowering my head to kiss her bottom lip and suck it gently until Saint’s lips parted under mine, and her hands came up to rest lightly on my chest.
She pulled back slightly, and her eyes searched mine. “I missed you.”
I kissed her forehead, feeling the weight of her words settle over me. “I missed you, too, baby. Every fucking day, I’d hear one of your songs on the radio and have to change the station ‘cause I couldn’t fuckin’stand how much I ached for you. Everywhere I went, I saw reminders of you, and they drove me insane.”
She leaned up and kissed me softly, her hand going to my cheek, her thumb stroking gently across my stubble.
My gut was filled with a sense of fierce protectiveness for the beautiful woman in my arms.
I’d never let anything happen to her. Nothing would touch her when she was with me. Fans, photographers, even stalkers; none of them stood a fuckin’ chance.
I’d burn the world down for Saint McClure, and if anybody tried to take her from me, they’d burn with it.
CHAPTER TEN
SAINT
My thumb strummed my eight-string, my gaze studying Jacob, who lay naked and completely exposed on my white sheets, watching me languidly with his eyes half-mast.
He was so confident about his body, but then he had every reason to be. His skin was toned and tanned, his defined muscles rippling every time he moved. I loved the smattering of fine, dark-blond hair sprinkled across his pecs and the large tattoo across his collarbone in a semi-circle that read,dream, achieve, believein sweeping, cursive script.
His shoulders and biceps were covered in tribal patterns, intricately weaved together, almost creating balance for the words on his chest. My eyes dipped to glance at the beautiful dreamcatcher inked into his ribs, probably my favorite tattoo of his because it was a protective symbol that reminded me of my guy’s equally protective nature.
