Page 29 of Royally Embraced: RBMC

His gaze drilled into hers. Trying to penetrate through her mind. He wished he were a mind reader and a seer of the futurein times like these. Truth and honesty were traits he valued. Tori exuded both, and he’d give as good as he took.

“My brother should have some answers. If he doesn’t, I think it would be a good idea to disappear from this vicinity and regroup. Whoever shot at us has to know one or both of our identities. Do you have security at your place?” he asked.

She froze. He didn’t allow her to slip from his hold.

“Are you thinking they might’ve gone to my apartment looking for me?” she asked. Her voice trembled.

He hated that he was the one who caused her to be upset. Yet there was no way he’d pussyfoot around the truth. He gave a nod.

“If it were you who was the target, then yes, there’s a high probability they’d have gone to your home,” he explained.

Chapter Fifteen

Tori let his words sink in, hating the fear and anger that warred within her. “So, if they didn’t hit my place, do you think that means the shooter wasn’t aiming for me?”

“I wish it were that cut and dried, baby. We could only hope they were stupid enough to get caught on camera. If they did, we might have a better idea of who was responsible.” Jeter ran his hands up and down her back, as if trying to soothe her.

She straightened her spine, needing him to see her as a strong, independent woman. At twenty-two, many thought she was too young to handle a lot of shit. They didn’t know she’d been through hell and back. Shit, she sure as hell could handle more than most people twice her age. Of course, nobody prepares to be gunned down in a dark alley. You read about that in the papers or saw it on the news.

“Yeah, I have cameras. I didn’t think to check them. Usually I have them on to alert me if someone comes to my door. There are also sensors on every window. If anyone tampers with them, I get a notification, as do the police. I didn’t get anything last night. Shit. My app notifications are turned off while I work. Dammit, I didn’t think to check it.” She wiggled for him to move so she could get her phone from her bag.

“Sit still. I’ll grab your purse for you. I like you right where you are.” He tapped her thighs with his fingertips and skimmed them all the way up to the apex of her body.

Tori sucked in a breath. Her mind reeling as he cupped her through the thin material of her sleep pants. Dear lord in heaven, Jeter could make her forget her own name with a simple touch.

“Jeter, what are you doing to me?” she asked.

He shook his head. “No, it’s not me doing it to you, but you doing it to me, baby. I’ve never found a woman I’d give my life for until you. The thought of you struggling while I turn my back isn’t possible. Let’s look at your security footage. Then, we’ll discuss our next steps. Just know that whatever we decide, it will be us together.”

Jeter eased backward, letting his words sink in while he went to get her purse.

She eyed him as he moved to get her bag. The man was large and in charge, like she’d accused him. He came back with her purse, handing it to her.

Her heart sped up as she opened the app. There were dozens of notifications. “Oh, shit.” She tapped on the screen, opening a video her security camera captured. She swiped down the list of images until she reached one with a time stamp later than the shooting.

“Look.” She moved her hand so that she and Jeter could see the screen together. A dark figure moved near her back patio. He glanced up at her camera. Reflective glasses covered his eyes while he wore a mask over the lower half of his face. A man in a black hoodie and sweats blended into the night but appeared like a typical pedestrian if someone approached him.

“Who the fuck wears glasses at one in the morning?” Jeter asked in a low growl next to her.

His words and tone sent a shiver down her spine. Her body reacted to this man no matter what the fucked up situation might be. Hell, they just confirmed the shooter had aimed for her. A sob escaped her.

“Vita Mia, don’t cry. You’re safe with me.” He took her phone from her fingers, placed it on the counter next to them, and pulled her into his arms.

Her body shivered at how warm it felt to be held by him, combined with his words, the promise in his tone, and the truth he spoke. Damn him. He made her want to believe and trust in another person.

Tori took a deep breath, burying her nose in his neck. “Why me?”

She wasn’t sure if she was asking why he chose her or why the shooter had targeted her. Hell, she wanted the answer to both.

“For me, it’s simple. You’re special. Colpo di fulmine—the thunderbolt, as Italians call it. When love strikes someone like lightning, so powerful and intense it can’t be denied. It’s beautiful and messy, cracking a chest open and spilling their soul out for the world to see. It turns a person inside out, and there’s no returning from it. Once the thunderbolt hits, your life is irrevocably changed. That’s what you’ve done to me, Vita Mia. You’re the thunderbolt that has struck me.” He placed her hand over his heart.

The steady thump, thump reassured her he lived. “You could’ve been killed because some crazy person was after me.”

“That was their biggest mistake, baby.” His hand covered hers; the other went over her chest. She placed her hand over his. It was as if their hearts were synced together. Thumping in tune to each other. She was losing her damn mind.

“Does that mean I can’t go home?” She glanced over at the phone lying next to her.

His gaze followed hers. He sighed but said nothing for a long moment. “Let me talk with a few people and make some plans. You live in an apartment building, which means we might be able to finagle our way in without being noticed.”

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