Page 101 of Close Protection

She whimpers in pain just as four men surround us, pointing their guns right in my face. Somehow Milosh is one of them, shot leg and all.

‘Come here, Daphne,’ he says. I can see the pain in his eyes as I get up and come to him while the team secures my mother.

He holsters his gun and cups his hands around my jaw. ‘Are you okay?’

I nod and fall into him, his arms wrapping around me as he grunts quietly.

‘Your leg,’ I gasp, pulling out of the embrace to look down at his thigh.

‘It was a clean shot,’ is all he says before he takes my hand. ‘Come on, let’s get out of here.’

He’s slow in his movements, limping slightly as we make our way back to my mother’s house where multiple police cars and ambulances are waiting.

‘Petrov,’ a short blond lady says, walking up to us. She looks over to me, offering a small smile before she sticks out her hand. ‘Miss Green, it’s lovely to meet you, I’mCommander Peterson, but please call me Lucy.’

I shake her hand. ‘Hello.’

‘I’m glad to see you’re out safe. You’ll be happy to know that we’ve got all the hostages out, and they’re safe too.’

Relief floods through me.

‘With your mother and all the other Daveeno members here tonight in custody, we’re well on our way to fully dismantling the organization. I can assure you, they won’t be bothering you again.’

‘Thank you.’ I smile sincerely and look around for Daddy and the other hostages but I can’t see them. ‘Where’s my father?’

‘He’s been taken to hospital to be treated along with the rest of the hostages. There’s an ambulance ready to take you too, just so you can get looked over.’ She peers at Milosh’s leg. ‘You too, Petrov. Scott, you and Daphne ride to the hospital. I’ll sort everything out here.’

Milosh nods before reaching into his pocket and taking out the necklace. ‘Here.’ He hands it to Lucy. ‘Major Davis instructed me to give this to you.’

She takes it, tucking it into one of her trouser pockets. ‘Yes, he told me you had it. Thank you.’

‘What will happen to the formula now?’ I ask.

‘A select group of scientists will look at the validity of the claims made about it. If it is as bad as your father saysit will most likely be destroyed, but there are instances where these serums may be helpful. It’s unfortunate, but at least we’ll know it’s in the right hands.’

‘Oh.’ Intellectually, I accept that, but I just don’t like the thought of it being out there.

Lucy gives me a sympathetic look before walking off.

‘Don’t worry,’ Milosh whispers into my ear. ‘I burned the real formula and replaced it with a fake before I left the safe house. Let them come up with their own toxins.’

‘You really are as good as they say you are, aren’t you?’ I murmur, my heart growing tenfold.

He shrugs, smirking. ‘Apparently so.’

Gosh, I love this man.

Oh my gosh, I love this man.

Huh.

What a way to end the day.

Three hours later I walk into Milosh’s room at the hospital, surprise coasting over me when I open the door to find my Uncle Leo, Uncle Jonathan and Auntie Emily inside.

They all turn as I open the door, relieved at the sight of me.

‘Daphne, are you all right?’ Auntie Emily asks, walking over to me and giving me a hug.

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