Aiden is beside me in an instant, wrapping an arm around my waist to hold me upright.
“I’m here to take you home, darling,” he murmurs. “You’re safe now.”
He pulls me closer.
“Your father and I were very worried. He made yet another mistake in hiring these… bodyguards.” His mouth twists. “But don’t concern yourself with that. I’ll handle it.”
“No.” I push at his chest trying to break free, but only manage to cough harder. Spots dance in my vision.
“Easy, love.” His hand tightens on my waist.
I feel him shift and reel back when I see the gun in his hand. It’s pointed at the man who choked me. “I was clear. She was not to be harmed.”
The man holds up his hands. “Yes, boss. She was trying to?—”
His body crumples as the shot echoes in the room.
I jerk, covering my eyes. He just shot his own man! For hurting me.
Panic squeezes my chest, and I search out Bronco.
Three men have him pinned.
Rage and fear contort his handsome features.
When our eyes meet, pain sears my heart. This is all my fault. If I’d just accepted my fate...
Aiden turns his gun on Bronco.
“No!” I struggle to grab the weapon.
He tsks like I’m a disobedient child and pushes me toward another man. “Take her outside.”
“Don’t hurt him!” I fight with all I have, but this new thug drags me toward the door.
Aiden ignores my protests and approaches Bronco. He stops a few feet away, studying him. “You thought you could steal from me? Take what’s mine?”
Bronco spits blood at his feet. “You think she’s yours?”
“Camille Whitaker belongs to me. Nothing you or your little group can do but accept it.”
“Don’t count on it, Frost.”
Aiden shrugs. “As we speak, your services are formally being terminated. If you come within a mile of her or me, it’ll be the last thing you do. Call it a restraining order without the paperwork. Do we understand one another?”
Bronco licks his lips. “See you soon.”
My gut clenches and I grab the doorframe, hanging on with all my strength. “Bronco!”
Something flits over Aiden’s face that looks a lot like a mix of annoyance and fear. He nods to the men holding Bronco. “Finish it.” Then he turns and strides toward me, blocking my view.
I hear a pained grunt and snarl, then something heavy hit the floor.
The space behind Aiden opens and the last thing I see as I’m carted away is Bronco sprawled on the ground. Bloody and unmoving.
My world closes in on itself as my heart breaks.
I should never have run from Aiden.
