Page 61 of Close Protection

‘Totally platonic, my arse,’ is all Henry is able to mutter before Amelia stirs behind me.

Henry rushes over to the sofa, dropping to his haunches.

‘Hi, gorgeous,’ Henry whispers down at her, smiling to mask his worry. Amelia startles when she fully comes round, but as soon as she sees Henry’s face she reaches up and wraps her arms around him, melting into him and whispering something inaudible from where I’m standing. Henry whispers back and starts rubbing circles on her back in an intimate, familiar way.

I love their love. Their love gives me hope. Their love makes me long for the day someone will look at me the way Henry looks at Amelia.

I want to care about somebody that much. I want somebody to love me, to care for me, to protect me. To leave everybody behind for me, not caring about the consequences as long as I’m okay.

It’s the stuff of fiction. But if Henry found Amelia, who’s to say I can’t find my Henry?

Milosh could be your Henry. A small voice in my head chimes.

Huh. Maybe I need to add possible brain malfunction onto my list of injuries.

‘Does your head hurt?’ Henry asks when they break apart.

‘A little, but it’s okay,’ she says as she starts searching the room. Her eyes land on me and she sighs with relief. ‘Daphne, are you okay?’

‘I’m okay, Meelie.’ I make my way over to her as Henry moves aside so I have room to hug her.

‘Oh my gosh, Daph, your arm,’ she gasps, cupping her mouth with her hand. ‘And your neck,’ she adds. Her eyes widen when she sees my stomach. ‘What did he do to you?’ she whispers.

‘Josh is just gathering his things to take a look at hernow,’ Henry interjects. ‘You too, Meels.’

‘Good.’ Amelia nods. She swings her legs around and places her feet on the floor, ready to get up, but as soon as she lifts her upper body she starts swaying, losing her balance. Henry rushes in to steady her, his brows knitting together in concern.

‘You okay?’

‘I got up too fast, that’s all, Hen,’ she answers softly, stroking his jaw. Her gaze flicks over to me again when I stand back up, clutching my stomach. ‘How did you manage to get away from Teddy?’

‘Milosh,’ I admit. ‘I’m glad he came outside when he did, otherwise… I don’t know what would’ve happened.’

‘Yeah,’ Henry agrees. ‘Milosh is probably the best hire your dad ever made. And he cares about you, Daph.’ He steps back a little so he can look me in my eyes. ‘He really cares about you. Almost to the level I care about Amelia.’

‘No one cares about anyone as much as you care about Amelia, Henry,’ I say with a small smile.

‘Before Milosh, I would’ve agreed with you,’ Henry admits, ‘but now I’m not so sure.’

Thankfully, I don’t have to respond to that because Josh chooses the perfect time to walk in with his medical bag and Bethany in tow. As soon as they see me, their faces drop and they let out horrified gasps.

‘Oh Daphne, what has he done to you?’ Josh says, before he spots Amelia looking a little worse for wear. ‘No, not you too, Amelia?’

She grimaces and nods as they close the door behind them and cross to the sofa.

‘Daphne, you look like you need more immediate attention so I’ll start with you,’ Josh states. ‘Bethany, could you please sit with Amelia? Henry’s going to need to go and help with the questioning, and she looks like she needs some support.’

Bethany makes her way over to Meelie as Henry stands up.

‘Henry, what’s going to happen with Teddy?’ I ask.

‘Ah.’ Henry smiles. And it’s the most unnerving expression I think I’ve ever seen cross his face. ‘Well, now that you two are with Josh and Bethany, I’m gonna go have a littlechatwith him, if that’s all right with you girls?’

Amelia gives him a slightly creepy smile. ‘I suggest you make him wish he’d never been born.’

‘Will do, gorgeous.’ Henry’s eyes heat up for a moment as he stares at Amelia, before cooling as he looks over to me. ‘And you, Daph? Are you all right with me having a little chat with him?’

If Henry has his way, Teddy will be leaving the house in a body bag.

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