Page 114 of Bastian

That is another thing…

How do I make the most stubborn woman I know give in and move into my home like she was always meant to?

* * *

ARIANNA

“You made quite the show tonight, Mr. President. Expect to be all over tomorrow’s news…” I hold onto Sebastian’s arm as he helps me walk down the stairs that lead to the back door of the building. No main entrance for the president.

I can’t help but smile when he shrugs and says, “Fucking love that the world knows you’re mine.”

Trying hard not to laugh, I reply. “Psycho, watch your mouth.”

We take the last steps before Nix, Sebastian’s guard, opens the back door for us, leading us outside the museum. Sebastian turns and roughly grabs me by the neck and kisses my lips softly before pulling back. “Yours.” He breathes out after stealing the air out of my lungs.

Yes.

Mine.

But I am not admitting that. At least not yet.

The warm breeze hits my face as soon as we’re outside while the night obscures us a bit, giving us the privacy, we need to make it to the waiting cars so we can head out of there. Sebastian’s guards form a barricade around us so they can shield and protect us from any threat that might come our way.

I was aware Sebastian’s life was in danger everywhere he went because as much as people love him. Some don’t quite agree with him and those are the real threats. Sebastian is not only the most powerful man in the United States but he’s also a threat to other countries. To our enemies around the world. Apart from the fact that my tyrant loves to piss people off with his honesty and condescending behavior, of course. My hand instinctively tightened around his and whatever he sees in my face softened his expression. As if he read my mind, he speaks up while we move towards our vehicle, holding me close to his body. “Make no mistake, Arianna. I’d burn the fucking world down before I let anyone hurt you.”

My heart flails in my chest at his declaration.

I stare at him for a beat too long before I murmur, “It is not me I am worried about.”

His smile turns soft. “Are you worried about me, love?” He looks cocky as hell.

I flip him the bird and roll my eyes, making him laugh.

What an odd…odd…man.

Once we’re almost to the black vehicles lined up waiting for us, I feel something slip from my wrist and fall to the ground. Shit. Sebastian’s gift. Our sweet memories. Looking down, I watch as it falls into a puddle. Shit. Pulling my hand from Sebastian’s, I bend and reach for it. In other circumstances, I would leave the bracelet in the dirty water, but this bracelet means something to both of us.

I don’t want to lose it.

I should have left it alone.

I should have not let go of Sebastian’s hand and gotten out of the barricade because, the next thing I know, he is shouting at me with fear in his eyes. “Arianna, don’t!” The scene starts in slow motion, but then it’s too fast. I am unable to register what is going on. For a moment, I think I am stuck in a nightmare. That is until Sebastian tackles me from the side, taking me down so hard that my arm lands funny, raw pain shooting from my fingertips to my shoulder blade. I feel a sharp pain when the back of my head hits the ground.

I cry out in agony, and that’s when I realized that Sebastian wasn’t getting up.

He stays down on top of me so long that I start to panic. Pop. Pop. Pop. “Do not move,” Sebastian’s dark, angry voice growls. I close my eyes as silent tears start to slip down my cheeks. “What is going on? Are you okay? Oh, Christ, Sebastian, are you okay?” I scream afraid and in pain, tears clogging my throat. But he doesn’t answer me. Instead, he stays exactly where he is, and that is when I register what is happening. Sebastian’s security team hovers, protecting us while others leave the barricade and spread out with their guns in the air. Shooting at whoever is behind the attack.

No.

This is not happening.

Not to us.

We are under attack and if something happens it will be my fault.

It is all my fault.

“Sebastian!” I yell when he doesn’t get off me. Oh, God, no. He’s not responding.

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