Page 145 of Until I Own You

I leap to my feet, rear my fist back, ready to throw another punch, but I find myself face to face with Lourdes.

She presses her palm to my fist, closes it up, and guides it down to my side. “We got it from here,” she says.

A fleet of security guards stampedes down the hallway.

I leap out of the way just before they descend on him.

“Seth.” A broken, beautiful voice.

Fuck, I’ve been so focused on destroying him I forgot…

I turn into the alcove.

Bridget has righted her dress and presses herself into the corner. Her arms are wrapped around herself, tight and terrified.

I want to grab her, pull her into my arms and carry her away from here. But she’s scared and vulnerable. I don’t want to scare her any more.

Holding out my hand to her, I try to smile, if one can smile in a situation like this. “It’s okay. You’re safe.”

Bridget’s trembling green eyes fall to my hand.

She reaches out to me in slow motion, as if she fears her hand might go right through me, that I’m some sort of hallucination.

The second her hand lands in mine, I pull on her.

She gives in, burying her face in my chest and letting out a sob.

“You’re safe. I’ve got you. I’ve got you.” I make sure my embrace is as protective as it can be.

I scrape my hands through her hair, press a kiss to her temple. “I won’t let anything happen to you. I promise. Nothing bad is going to happen.”

Lourdes appears at my side. “Carlton, get her out here, huh? Take her upstairs, to the Lyons Club. Police and paramedics are on their way.”

“She’s fine,” I say. “She doesn’t need para–”

“I’m talking about for you, Carlton,” Lourdes interrupts. “That hand of yours will need to be set.”

I glance at my hand and realize my ring finger is pointed at an angle it shouldn’t be.

Didn’t even fucking realize. Didn’t even feel the pain. Still don’t.

“I’ll be fine,” I say to myself.

With Bridget tucked in my arms, I guide her away from the commotion of the security guards and that fucking prick, muttering the same thing over and over.

“You’re safe with me. You’re always safe with me.”

Not only a reassurance to Bridget. It’s also a promise to myself.

As long as I live, I will be that safe place for Bridget. Even if she doesn’t want me anymore.

I will always be her safe place to land.

27

BRIDGET

“Take a deep breath in…” the EMT says to Seth.

---