Page 65 of Fiercely Protective

“I just stepped out of the shower, why? Are you alright? Did you quit your job yet?”

I looked up to see Rogue’s eyes narrow slightly. “I just saw you in Chicago.”

She laughed softly and my stomach sank. “Chicago? It wasn’t me, Bri. Do you not think I would have called to tell you I was coming? I wouldn’t have just shown up.”

I didn’t know what to say. I had been so certain. “I saw your coat, the horrible green one I tease you about wearing all the time.”

“My goodness, Bri. I am not the only woman in the world who likes the color green.” She paused. “Are you alright? I don’t feel good about this at all. You sound different.”

I shook the fog from my brain. “I’m just disappointed that it wasn’t you. A little homesick, I suppose. I miss you.”

“I miss you too, Bri. You need to come home. We will figure something out when it comes to Tony. You can’t stay in Chicago forever.”

I looked up at Rogue, his face set in stone. “I have to go, Allison. I’ll call you back tomorrow or the next day. Trust me, I am alright. No worries.”

I hung the phone up and handed it back to Rogue.

“Keep it. It is yours until I buy you an updated version.”

My head dropped and I turned to open the car door, but Rogue beat me to it. He helped me inside and then moved to the other side of the car.Could I have imagined it? I was a little tired, but was I so exhausted that I was starting to hallucinate?

Rogue’s hand covered mine and I turned to him. “I was so certain that I saw her. How could I have been so wrong?”

“It could have been a coincidence, perhaps the lighting made you think you saw something you didn’t. It was dark and sometimes the shadows and light from the streetlamps play tricks with your eyes.”

I knew he was just saying this to placate me, but I felt really stupid right now. “I feel like an idiot, and I suppose I owe Stephen an apology.”

“He was doing his job. He doesn’t expect apologies.”

I snorted a short laugh. “His job is to keep me from running around Chicago like a mad woman?”

“No, his job is to protect you at all costs. He and the other men that work for me are paid very well for that.”

I shook my head, trying to push all of this from my mind. “I suppose I am just tired and a bit strained.”

He pulled me closer. “Too tired to enjoy the surprise I have for you?”

I couldn’t help the small smile that crept up my lips. “I guess that depends on the surprise.”

The car came to a stop outside the Field Museum. I looked out the window and then back to Rogue. “Were you going to take me to the museum? If that is your surprise, I’m afraid it is closed.”

He grabbed my hand and brought it up to his lips before turning it over and kissing my palm. From there his lips moved to my wrist, up the bend in my elbow, and finally to my shoulder. “Darling.” His lips pressed against the pulse point beating rapidly in my neck. “I have told you before that you don’t wait in line for anything…not anymore…not since you became mine.”

He opened the car door and stepped out before turning to offer me his hand. He interlaced his fingers with mine and together we walked up the stairs to the museum entrance where we were met by an older man wearing a three-piece suit and a thick white mustache that curled up on the ends.

“Mr. Delaney.” He offered his hand to Rogue who promptly took it. “I was so pleased to hear of your interest in touring the museum tonight and of course, your generous donation is most appreciated.”

My mouth fell open slightly as I watched the exchange between the two men.

“As you requested, you have access to the entire museum. There are security officers on hand, but they have been instructed to leave you alone. If there is anything you need you have my cell number.”

“Thank you, Mr. Greer. I was very pleased that you were so accommodating with my request.”

The older man’s smile widened as he stepped off to the side, allowing us entrance into the world-famous museum.

“You rented the entire museum? For me? How did you manage that?”

He continued to tug me along beside him. “You would be surprised at what I can do, baby. A substantial donation will get you into many locked doors. Money is powerful. You mentioned that you had wanted to visit the Field Museum but because you didn’t have the money or the time, you had not had the opportunity. Now you have both.”

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