Page 56 of Bound to the Bodyguard

“Shh, I’ve got you,” I murmured, my eyes darting across the interior for any hidden dangers, any remnants of the threat that had snatched her from the safety of her world.

The vehicle was a disarray of strewn belongings—a purse upended with its contents spilled like a trail of breadcrumbs, a cell phone cracked and abandoned. But none of that mattered now. I wrapped my arms around her, pulling her close against my chest. An instinctual shield. My senses were heightened, every muscle tensed for action, but my embrace was gentle, a fortress built from my own flesh and bone.

“Safe,” I whispered into her hair, feeling her shudder against me. “I’ve got you.”

“Jerome,” she breathed out, her fingers clutching at the fabric of my jacket, grounding herself in my solidity. “I didn’t think—”

“Think later. Right now, just breathe.” I felt the rise and fall of her chest against my own, a syncopation that grounded my racing thoughts. “You’re safe with me. Always.”

The clamor outside grew, the night suddenly alive with flashing red and blue lights painting the dark canvas of the city. But within the confines of the vehicle, I created a bubble of calm, a temporary haven amidst the storm. My protective hold was the only thing I could offer her amidst the uncertainty.

My hands, honed from years of military precision, moved swiftly yet with a deliberate gentleness over Raven’s arms, over her shoulders, down to her legs. I was looking for any sign of injury, any reason to call out for more than the already approaching sirens.

“Jerome,” Raven said, her voice trembling slightly in the cocoon of my arms, “I’m okay, they didn’t... they didn’t hurt me.”

“Are you sure?” My voice was low and controlled, trying to veil the torrent of concern that threatened to spill over. “Did they do anything to you, Raven? Anything at all?”

Raven shook her head, a cascade of emotions flickering across her striking features. In the dim light that filtered through the broken windows, her eyes held a depth that went beyond their usual resilience. “No, but I recognized a voice, Jerome. One of them... I’ve heard it before.”

My protective instincts flared. A burning need to shield her from even the shadow of what she’d endured. But I tempered it, keeping my voice steady for her sake. “We’ll figure this out. We’ll find them.”

“Jerome,” she whispered, gripping my arm, “I know we will. I trust you.” Her words were imbued with a certainty that reached deep into the core of me, anchoring me amidst the chaos that swirled just beyond their sanctuary.

My arms remained locked around Raven, heart hammering against the walls of my chest. I felt her body tremble within my grasp, a silent testament to the terror she’d faced. In the tight space of the vehicle, every breath seemed amplified, every beat of silence stretched taut with unsaid words.

“Who was it, Raven?” I pressed gently, voice a low rumble. “Whose voice did you recognize?”

Raven’s eyes met mine, and in that moment, I could see the wheels turning behind those expressive orbs, weighing the risks of speaking out. She bit down on her lower lip, a habit I’d come to recognize when she was battling with indecision.

“I...” she began, faltering, her gaze drifting past me then snapping back as if tethered to mine. “I can’t say right now, Jerome. It’s not safe.”

Her refusal to divulge more knotted my insides. I understood the stakes, the need for caution, but every instinct screamed to eliminate the threat that had dared to lay hands on her.

“Okay, okay,” I conceded, though my jaw clenched tight. There would be time for answers later; keeping her shielded was paramount.

“Jerome,” she whispered, her voice strained, “they talked about... about leverage. Using me against someone.” Her admission hung between us, heavy with implications.

“Nothing is going to happen to you,” I vowed, my hold on her tightening. My mind raced through potential suspects, past threats, and anyone with a vendetta against her—or even me. The list was disturbingly long.

“Did they do anything else? I need to know, Raven.” My question was soft but urgent, my gaze sweeping over her face, searching. For a fleeting second, vulnerability flashed across her features, a rare glimpse into the depths of her fear before she masked it once again with that resilient veneer.

“Talk,” she murmured. “They just talked. But their words...” She shuddered, and he felt it ripple through me like a cold wave. “Their threats felt real.”

“Words are weapons too,” I acknowledged, my protective instincts flaring anew. “But I’m here now. And I’m not going anywhere. We’ll get to the bottom of this together.”

Her nod was almost imperceptible, but I saw it, felt the slight easing of her tense frame. Silence fell, but it was no longer the oppressive kind from before. It was a silent pact between us, an unspoken agreement that we would face whatever came next—side by side.

My pulse hammered in my ears, a relentless drumbeat that matched the growing wail of sirens slicing through the night. Red and blue lights splashed across the dark alleyway, casting eerie shadows that danced over Raven’s pale face. I felt her shiver in my arms, her own heartbeat a frenetic counterpoint to mine.

“Stay with me, Raven. Help is here,” I whispered, more to steady my own nerves than hers.

“Jerome,” she said weakly, her gaze flitting toward the approaching clamor. “They’re coming.”

I glanced over my shoulder as police cars skidded to a halt, doors flying open before the vehicles had fully stopped. Officers spilled out, their movements sharp and practiced as they descended upon the scene. The urgency of the situation clawed at me, a stark reminder that the danger wasn’t over—not by a long shot.

“Sir, step away from the woman!” a stern voice called out.

I turned back to Raven, jaw set. I knew protocol; I had been on the other side once. But letting go of her felt like leaving her exposed all over again. Still, I couldn’t let my emotions override what needed to be done.

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