Page 55 of Protected By the Billionaire Ex-SEAL

One punch isn’t enough for the fury I feel and the image of Raven in my mind, trapped and helpless. So, I land in another punch, then stop there when blood spurts from the man’s nose. Still feeling the fury running in my veins, I grab his shirt next and drag him up, then flatten him against the wall with a raging force.

Sam coughs and stutters.

“What—”

“You’re trespassing on my property.” I push him harder. “You’re also harassing a person you shouldn’t even be in the same space as, and both counts as a criminal offense and can get you charged.”

I want to say more, including what a fucking piece of scum he is and how I can mess him up so badly that he won’t be able to walk straight ever again. My hands are shaking to act on it. But I’m aware of Raven still here—of the utmost fear on her face—and how I need to deal with it first.

I inhale quietly, needing it to have a semblance of calm in my system. Then I look him in the eye.

“You don’t need to say a word. Not a fucking word. I’m going to detain you until the cops get here.” I let that sink in. “And you will be happy when they get here fast because the longer you stay here, the more I might be tempted to use every connection I have to make sure you rot in jail.”

He’s defiant at first, but every word has his eyes widening until they’re about to bug out. Maybe it’s my grave face or my authoritative tone—or hell, the murderous vibe I’m emitting from my very pores. I don’t care.

All I know is that it works as he pales, no longer looking like the hotshot asshole he did a minute ago. I know I’ve scared him with my threat and he believes it, but I keep him where he is.

Then I turn to Raven.

“Raven, you can press charges now.”

I hate that I have to put her on the spot like this, but this is necessary, too. I implore her with my eyes to say yes, already anticipating the answer in my bones. But she gives me a different one.

“No. I just want him out of here.”

Disbelief runs through me. Then, understanding that she’s barely holding herself together comes in, and it’s all I can take not to cross the distance between us. But I don’t let any of my emotions show as I return my attention to the guy.

“You heard her. You’re a lucky bastard.”

He’s frustrated but still pale…and defeated. I know when men aren’t cowed and when they don’t think it’s worth it, and this guy has already decided that Raven isn’t worth it. It should leave me with a sense of satisfaction, but all I feel is my fury and the hollow pit in my stomach that he decided this after making her go through hell.

I call the cops, and it’s a good thing that two come quickly and make the arrest right away. They’re rookie cops, so I call the town sheriff, too, briefing him about the incident and getting his promise that he’ll be waiting at the police station. It’s a short call since he already knows what my assignment is, a decision I made from the start and is now paying off.

It means that Sam will be taken care of, even if I’m not directly involved.

After they leave, I head over toward Raven, who’s still frozen in place where the asshole left her. My heart aches, already anticipating injuries, but the relief is stark when I check her and she’s physically fine. Mentally, though…

“Do you want to visit the town doctor?”

She shakes her head and doesn’t say a word.

“Do you want me to go with them?”

Another shake of her head, but this time, her hand trembles as it reaches for my shirt, as if she wants to keep me there. Her other hand does, too, and then the rest of her body until she’s one quaking force. I recognize the look of a traumatized person when I see it.

And I’ve never felt more helpless in my life.

But I know she needs me to be strong, so I gather her in my arms until I can at least absorb some of her shaking. I stay there, quiet and still, until she finally gives in and melts against me. It’s a sign of trust that I will always cherish.

It’s also one that blows my mind, considering it’s me out of all people that she trusts.

We stay there like that, just holding each other until I feel her knees wobbling. I lift her and carry her to the couch, then sit her on my lap so she can be more comfortable. Again, we stay just like that, basking in the silence that’s safe now.

But I know it’s a temporary safety, at least in her mind. I know that him entering the space she considered safe will plague her for a while, and she’ll be looking around every corner with doubt. She won’t sleep well and it’ll take its toll on her.

“Do you want to visit San Diego? Your parents? Or come with me to visit my agency in Coronado?”

It’s a spontaneous thought, one that pops up with my other thoughts when I consider the repercussions of staying here while the incident is still fresh. I don’t expect it to go anywhere except more silence from her.

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