Page 156 of Rush of Jealousy

“I was beside myself with worry over you. My life does not exist without you in it.”

I lift my head to see Ethan and Claire kissing and embracing each other. I can hear Ethan telling her he is taking her to his place and not to argue with him. I already know where I will be spending the night. And the whole weekend. So, I don’t even ask.

Ethan and Graham shake hands and say a few parting words before I get carried down the sidewalk to the waiting car.

“Are you okay?” he asks, his gaze cast down to me.

I shake my head and shiver against his strong chest. I am just so cold. He opens up the backseat and straps me inside before shutting the door. I kick off my shoes and pull my feet up to the seat and wrap my arms around my knees. I stare out the window as Graham speaks to his men. Collins makes his way to our vehicle and enters the front seat. Graham shakes Austin’s hand, and then it transitions into a partial hug. He does the same to the other man, whom I have yet to officially meet.

A dozen marked and unmarked police vehicles race down the road we are on and surround The Shack. Tonight was crazy. And if it weren’t for Graham’s men keeping an eye on me, I might still be inside—trapped and alone.

The door opposite me opens and Graham slides inside, slamming it.

“Angie,” he says breathily. He looks like he has aged a few years just from the wrinkles forming on his forehead.

“I’m sorry,” I whisper.

“You didn’t do anything wrong, sweetheart. This may have just been a freak occurrence and not something targeted. Nothing that you could have prevented. I’m just glad you were not harmed. You aren’t harmed, right?”

He runs his hands up and down my sides and arms. When he spots the dried blood on my knee and the bruises forming on my arm, he slips out of the car, opens the trunk, and comes back with a travel first aid kit. He opens the disposable wipes and cleans my wound and then places a bandage over the cut. Breaking open the ice pack, he places it on my arm.

“Thank you,” I whisper. He takes such good care of me that it pulls at my heart.

Graham kisses me gently on the forehead. “There is nothing in this world I wouldn’t give you.” Our car starts to pull forward and weave between the influx of first responders entering the lot. He removes my bracelet and places it in his pocket. “You sure you’re okay?”

“I’m okay. Just really shaken up. There were so many people fighting and then the gun sh—”

“Shhh,” he soothes, wiping the tears that keep flowing down my cheeks. “I’m so sorry you were in the middle of all of that. Plus, all the Zander drama. And then your ex-boyfriend who must have a learning problem because he cannot keep himself from harassing you.”

“How did…” I start to ask how he knew about Russell but stop myself. Of course, Graham makes it a point to stay informed, whether it be through his own research or his hired men. What used to bother me in the past with his hindrance to my personal space is exactly what saved me from further trauma tonight. “Thank you.”

“You never need to thank me. I’ll always protect you, sweetheart.” He bends down to kiss my hairline. “I just want to lock you away and shield you from all of this. Keep you hidden away from the nastiness of the world.”

“I just want to go back to your place and—”

“Our place, baby. It is just as much yours as it is mine. If changing the name on the deed will help you see it that way, then so be it.”

I look up into his burning blue eyes. He is sincere. And I love him for wanting to share his space—but mostly his life—with me.

“What was the bracelet for that Austin put on me?”

“It’s a tracking device band. It was reassurance in case you got separated. That way I would be able to find you if you were missing. All of my men carry a set with them when they are in charge of guarding you. It is for a worst-case scenario. I just never thought tonight would be the night that the trackers would need to be utilized.”

Collins gets us parked and safely into the building within fifteen minutes. Graham carries me the whole way into the elevator, through the main floor’s living space, and upstairs to the bathroom. He draws me a bath and helps me inside.

“Are you not coming in?” I ask, leaning my head back to look at him.

He is resting his body along the tiled steps leading into the spa-sized tub.

“I just want to focus on you right now, baby. Make sure you are alright.”

Graham hands me a glass of water, and I take a long sip. So many emotions flood through me, but I just try to focus on the here and now. I am safe.

He takes an empty cup from the supply basket and fills it with water. He dumps a few cups over my head and then pumps almond smelling shampoo into his hands. I relax my shoulders as he runs his fingers through my hair, massaging my scalp. It feels like heaven. He rinses out the soap and then adds some conditioner to the ends. I rest my head back and allow his fingers to rub at my neck and shoulders—turning me into a pile of Jell-O.

“That feels so good,” I moan.

I can feel him smiling without even looking. It is like I can sense his mood without seeing his face.

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