Her questions make me smile.
“We think the same, baby. I like that.” Reaching out, I run my finger down her face, and the burst of longing in her eyes surprises me.
What the fuck?
“Julius.”
Her hand snaps over mine, and for the longest moment she almost speaks, and then the elevator stops, and I pull away.
“Wait here, and if you hear anything, close the elevator and head for reception. Ask them to call the cops and request they take you back to the convent.”
Before she can say a thing, I head inside the room, removing my gun as I check every inch of the penthouse, the terrace included. I leave no bed unchecked, no cupboard unopened and only when I am assured we are alone, do I shout, “All clear.”
As Rose rushes out of the elevator, I make certain to disable it and breathe a sigh of relief that we are safe—for tonight, anyway.
“Those men–” Rose shivers, and I can tell the shock is setting in. “They tried to–”
“They didn’t succeed.”
If anything, I’m angry with myself for putting her in this position, and I hold open my arms and love how she rushes into them.
I want her close, to hold her close and protect herbecause every dangerous thought inside my head right now is tuned to keeping this woman safe. With me. Always with me.
As I hold her,my mind is in overdrive, and I run through the possibilities. It’s obvious our cover is blown, and who knows how many others are hot on our trail? A commercial flight home is the safest way to travel because safety in numbers, innocent people surrounding us, will ensure we reach American soil at least. When we’re there, my small army will protect us, and I curse the fact I allowed Eddie to persuade me otherwise.
My mind switches to my most trusted soldier, and for the merest second, doubt creeps in. Can I trust him?
I push the notion aside because until now I would have trusted Eddie with my life. Hell, I have done for several years now, but could it be a possibility he is working to his own agenda.
Rose whispers, “Thank you.”
I stroke the back of her head as I hold her close and instinctively lean down and whisper, “You’re safe with me, baby girl. I want you to understand that no matter what happens, I only have your best interests at heart.”
“I know.”
She sighs and nestles closer against my chest, and my heart is cracking under the strain. Why does this feel so right? I wasn’t supposed to care. I never have before, but Rose is different. She is the chink in my armor who exposes my vulnerable side, and I take a deep breath, reminding myself of who I am and who Ialways willbe.
“Julius, um–”
She hesitates, and I’m almost distracted as I kiss the top of her head. “What, Angel?”
“I, um, well, I don’t want to be alone tonight.”
“You’re not. I won’t leave you.”
She buries her face in my chest, and I almost think I’ve misheard when she whispers, “I mean, will you stay with me, in, um, my room?”
Lightning crackles overhead, and the devil arranges his chair because what the actual fuck. My first response should be no. Definitely not because even though I torture men for a living, this would break me in seconds. Imagining Rose curled up against my side, her soft skin against mine and knowing I must respect her position, tears me apart. I want her so badly I don’t even trust myself, and yet how can I deny her? She is scared, terrified of life, and has every reason to be. I am the biggest threat in her life right now, and she doesn’t even realize that.
I inhale sharply, and without permission, my words betray me.
“Of course. I won’t leave you, baby.”
If I could kick myself, thump some sense into me, I would, and as she pulls away, she gazes up at me with a soft smile.
“You will. Thank you but–” She giggles nervously. “I, well–”
“Shh.” I place my finger on her lips. “I’ll take the chair, and I promise not to invade your personal space.”
