CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
TAYLOR
Victor hurried Taylor through the swarm of reporters that had been camped out at her house since Rosemary revealed that she was alive. He ushered her into the back seat of the SUV and climbed in after her. Earlier, he’d called and told her to pack a bag because they were going to be staying in the penthouse indefinitely. Taylor was already packed. After seeing the news, she was expecting the call. She instantly went from being immensely proud of her man to shocked and horrified by the sight of Rosemary coming out of Tiffany’s.
“Governor, your wife, and brother are waiting for you at your apartment,” Gregor informed.
Hearing him refer to Rosemary as Victor’swifewas like taking a bullet.
“Thank you, Gregor. Has anyone been able to reach the detective?”
“No, sir.”
Victor turned to Taylor. “Have you talked to Bella?” “No. I tried calling her, but her phone went straight to voicemail.”
Victor ran his fingers through his thick hair and blew out a frustrated breath. Taylor used her index finger to turn Victor’s face toward hers. Once they were eye to eye, Taylor smiled. “Hello,” she said with a raised brow.
Victor closed his eyes and sighed. “Aw, baby, I’m so sorry,” he whispered. “Hi. How was your day?”
“It was cool. I went to see my parents. When my dad saw my cast, he was ready to kill somebody.” Taylor chuckled.
“Yeah, I know how he feels,” Victor muttered.
He draped his arm over Taylor’s shoulder and pulled her into the nook. Taylor inhaled the familiar scent of the man she loved.
“I love you,” he whispered.
“I know you do, babe.”
Taylor relaxed against Victor until they arrived at Storm Tower. They waited behind the shielding of the tinted windows until Gregor and his team secured the area. Once they were escorted out, Gregor and his team shielded them from reporters. He ushered them inside the building and tucked them into the elevator. They were ascending to the penthouse when Victor turned to Taylor with a concerned look in his eyes.
“What?” Taylor asked.
“I think we should stay at the mansion for a while.”
Taylor didn’t mind spending weekends in the governor’s mansion, but she didn’t want to live there. It was so big and very far from everyone and everything that was important to Taylor. From the moment Victor found out that she’d been attacked, she knew that he was going to suggest that they retreat to Springfield.
“Baby, let’s deal with one thing at a time,” Taylor said as the elevator doors opened
Victor gave her a look that said that he knew that she was avoiding the subject. Taylor grinned and exited the elevator. Victor opened the door, and as soon as they stepped inside, they were practically bum-rushed by Rosemary.
“Victor, hear me out,” she started.
Taylor looked past Rosemary to Lucas’ angry face. He took a sip from the glass he was holding and shot fiery darts at the back of Rosemary’s head.
“What the fuck were you thinking, Rosemary?” Victor admonished.
“Look at Taylor!” Rosemary shrieked. “I can’t keep putting the people that surround me in danger. Taylor and her friends could’ve have been killed, Victor!” Rosemary shook her head emphatically. “I’m sorry, but I just can’t live with that.”
“So, you threw yourself out there as bait?” Taylor asked.
“Yes. I won’t have another person’s death on my conscience, especially not the people that I love.”
Taylor cleared her throat.
“I don’t believe that Lucas was even on this woman’s radar, and Victor has more security than the royal family. I know you’re not throwing yourself out there becauseIgot hurt.”
“But I am, Taylor.” Rosemary sighed. “I know that you don’t know me very well, but I love Victor so very much, and he loves you. Like, he’sin lovewith you. He deserves that. And I’ll have nothing to do with taking that away from him.”
