Page 91 of Heartbreaker

Then I deal with the second.

I call my crisis control publicist, let her know what just happened.

“That jerk could have hurt me,” Jade whispers after I hang up.

“Not as long as I’m still breathing, Shortcake.”

And with that, I deal with the third.

“But I can’t protect you here.” I reach across the console, take her hand, holding tight until she stops trembling enough and looks at me. “We have to go back to L.A., Shortcake.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

Jade

The last fewdays since the incident in Tennessee have been a whirlwind.

The media is completely out of their minds with the idea that country music sweetheart Jade Cantrell is involved with rock and roll bad boy Royal Ewing.

Not to mention him punching out an autograph seeker.

It seems like everyone on the street that day got it on video, but in this case, that’s turned out to be a good thing. Anyone watching can clearly see the guy grabbing me and then he swings at Royal first, so at least everyone knows Royal didn’t start it.

The whole thing was jarring, and I have to admit I do feel safer here in L.A.

Not only do we have a security team whenever we go anywhere, but Royal has made it clear that he can protect me too. Which is hotter than hot. I’m not a fan of violence, in general, but there’s something sweet about the way he reacts when anyone gets near me without my permission.

I’d be lying if I said I didn’t like it.

Today, however, is something else entirely.

Sunday Dinner with Royal’s family.

I won’t even pretend I wasn’t intimidated when we first arrived.

Royal doesn’t have to spell it out for me to know this is a big deal.

He doesn’t bring girls home to the family.

Ever.

And yet, here I am, sitting around a table playing Connect Four with a very competitive three-year-old who isn’t planning to go down without a fight.

Her little face is scrunched in concentration, her chin resting on her fist as she levels narrowed eyes in my direction.

“You’ve played this before,” she says, a slightly accusatory tone to her voice.

“I have,” I say solemnly. “My grandpa used to play with me when I was your age.”

“That’s not fair. You’ve been playing for years.” She sighs dramatically.

It’s all I can do to bite back my laughter.

She’s beyond adorable.

Smart and sassy but also sweet and curious about everything.

And sheadoresher Uncle Royal.

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