Page 18 of Protected By the Billionaire Ex-SEAL

“The note threats didn’t come until a month later, with him telling me the things he’ll do if he caught me alone…which he did, a lot of times, begging to talk, but in public. So, I always walked with groups. And I was always careful. I even filed a restraining order.”

“But he broke into your home.”

My body trembles again, an icy feeling slithering in. I nod. “Yeah. He caught me when I was just closing the door and forced his way in. It’s all blurry from there, but I remember talking to him and pretending that we’d be fine until I could run for my bedroom. Then I locked the bedroom door and called the cops from the bathroom.”

“Smart girl. See? He never had a chance.”

“But he almost did. Because I wasn’t careful.”

“He tried. But he failed.”

“And he’s still hiding from the cops. He’s biding his time.”

“Except you’re here now and he can’t find you. And you have me.” The last words sink in. “I’ll protect you, Raven. I promise that I’ll move heaven and earth just to make sure he doesn’t lay a finger on you again.”

There’s so much fierceness to his tone, along with a sincerity that I know stems from the truth. He’s not lying for the sake of diplomacy. This here is the true Christian, the one who made it his lifetime goal to protect people in need.

“Moving heaven and earth might be an impossible task.”

I don’t see his smile, but I feel it.

“How about breaking his fingers instead?”

It’s a violent offer, but strangely, it does wonders to ease my nerves. I nod.

“I could do with that.”

We’re quiet after that, just…I don’t know. Me basking in the promise of protection he’s offering? They’re just words, but I’ve never felt this safe since I arrived here.

Maybe it’s the knowledge that he’s a professional who knows what he’s doing. Maybe it’s all those self-defense methods he taught me, reminding me that I have avenues to explore to not be helpless again.

Or maybe it’s just him and his presence, so strong and sure, as he keeps me encompassed in so much warmth.

“Thank you.”

“For what?”

“For taking care of me.”

“I mean, if you keep screaming like that, the neighbors might hear. Do you know how much they thrive on gossip?”

My eyes widen at the lightness in his tone.

“Oh?”

“My best friend’s a rockstar and my sister married him. Imagine the scandal that caused around here. Everyone wanted to know the juicy details.”

Oh, I can imagine. It makes me smile.

“I bet.” But I turn to him. “But seriously. I mean it. Thank you.”

His face softens.

“Anytime.”

“It helps. It helps a lot. You helped.”

“Anytime.”

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