Page 72 of Trust My Bodyguard

“No. I didn’t run. I stood there and asked him to shoot me. He did and now you’re speaking with my ghost.”

He twists me around so he’s laying above me. I’d have kept snapping at him if his hurt eyes didn’t cool my spark of annoyance. “I don’t want anything to happen to you.”

“Nothing happened to me. I ran back inside before the second shot went off and I shut the door and locked it properly.”

He cups my cheek and presses his lips to mine. The soft touch is quickly contrasted with his hard tone. “Did you get a good look at him?”

“No. I-I don’t remember.” I blink, trying to recapture the snapshot of the moment. All I can see is the barrel of the gun pointed at me.

“It’s okay. We’ll find him.” He brushed a kiss on my temple.

“I was so terrified, Brody. I didn’t hear another shot after the second but I knew I couldn’t stay there. I called Callum and he told me to get the building manager to check and ensure the shooter was gone. And he was. He asked me to stay put but I got in my car and drove out here.”

“Oh, Ivy.” His lips run down my cheek and neck. “You shouldn’t have experienced that.”

“Yeah, well, I know I can take it. I’m only glad Iris wasn’t there. At least, I’m sure Callum can keep her safe wherever they are.”

“And you’re safe with me.” He kisses my lips.

“I know, but for how long?” Tears prickle at my eyes.No. I try to blink them away but they trail down my temples and into my hair. “Sorry. I don’t know why I’m crying.” I try to nudge him aside. “I just need a moment to pull myself together.”

“Hey.” He holds me in place, eyes searching mine. “You don’t need to pull yourself together. Cry, breakdown, do whatever you need to.” He cups my cheek and thumbs my skin in gentle swipes. “You’re with me. You don’t have to be strong here. I can be strong for the both of us.”

My face crumples. I know I look hideous but I can’t hold back the downpour. Brody stays with me as I ugly cry, catching every drop with his thumbs. A man like him must find tears annoying, but he doesn’t tell me to stop or even try to console me so I’d get over it. He just lets me get it out.

“I just wish things were… normal for us, Brody.” I hiccup. “With our parents out of the picture, I thought Iris and I stood a chance of getting to know each other again and having a real bond, you know? But now she’s with Callum and I’m here and…” I cough and sniff. “It’s a fucking mess.”

He presses our heads together, uncaring that my tears wet his face. “It’ll be alright, Ivy. I promise. This is the last time. You’re safe and Iris is safe. And whoever did this is on a fucking countdown. They’re not going to get away with it.”

I roll him over so I can lay my head on my chest. “Keep talking.”

He holds me against him and indulges my craving for the sound of his voice. It lulls me, giving me hope.Peace. My eyelids grow heavy and I can’t keep them open. I’m pulled under with Brody’s voice playing in my head.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

Brody

“All I’m hearing is excuses.” Nick stammers something but I raise a hand to quiet it before it pisses me off even more.

I woke up this morning with Ivy clinging to me. It was a struggle to pry myself free and soothe her back to sleep. She’s in a bad way after the night she endured. While the HEY team enjoyed frolicking at The Tavern and going home to their peaceful nights. Someone tried to kill Ivy and the people responsible for making sure that didn’t happen were at rest and oblivious.

I called for an urgent meeting to which I received reluctance and excuses. When I mentioned the reason, they were smart to show up within the hour.

Now, Nick, Zane and Sera are gathered around the table, looking at me. None can answer my question.

“Why the hell is Ivy still getting attacked?” I’m barely keeping it together. It dawned on me today just how risky the previous night was for her. What if the man had gotten into her apartment? What if he cornered her when she left? What if he followed her? All the possibilities flash in my head turning me into a tight ball of anxiety.

I pace the room to shake off some of the tension. I want to be out there, finding whoever did that and taking them down with my bare hands. The usually oversized conference room feels as though it’s closing in on me now.

“Christ, man, chill out,” Nick says. “You’re making all of us anxious with your pacing.”

I turn to face him where he stands at the end of the long table. “You should be anxious.” I swing my arm to include Zane and Sera so they don’t think they’re home free. “All of you should be anxious. Someone shot at Ivy. She could have died.”

“We realize that,” Nick says. “It’s crazy that happened since we caught the guy at fault.”

“Whatiscrazy is that someone is still out there trying to get her. Clearly, whoever your investigation led to is not the one.”

“Or the only one,” Zane says.

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