Page 60 of Cruel Vows

His face turns red with the lack of oxygen. “I didn’t know she was attacked.”

“And that right there is the problem.” I squeeze his throat harder before letting him go. “Someone was able to get in my house and fucking brand her without a single person noticing. That doesn’t happen without someone helping the bastard get inside.”

“I don’t know who got inside.” He sucks in a deep breath. “I’ll watch the footage.”

“You’re fucking right you will. And then you’re going to bring in everyone who worked tonight and they’re going to be questioned. Extensively. I want whoever the fuck let one of Noah’s men into my house found.”

“Is Ellie okay?” Dominic glances toward the open door. “Who do you want stationed with her for the rest of the night?”

“I’ll be with her for the foreseeable future. If I’m not, you will be. I don’t trust anyone else.”

Dominic nods. “I’ll work on rounding up everyone who worked in the last twenty-four hours, and then I’ll sit down with the footage. If someone is guilty, we don’t want them to run before you can get to them.”

“Good.” I turn and look back at the room. “Go and deal with it. Keep them locked up. I’ll talk to them after they’ve had time to think about their stories.”

Smirking, he heads for the stairs, jogging down them with his hands stuffed in his pockets.

Dominic might be the only person I’m not worried about. He has stood by my side for years, even when Dad has tried to turn him against me. I would trust him with my life, and I know he would do whatever it took to protect Ellie.

Which means that Noah got to someone else.

I don’t know who, but when I find them, they’re going to regret ever turning against me.

My chest tightens as I step back into Ellie’s room while she gathers the stained sheets. “What do you think you’re doing?”

“Cleaning up.” Ellie looks up at me, and when she does, I can see the fear in her eyes. “Can I stay in your room tonight? I don’t think I can sleep in here. Not after the way I woke up with that man standing over me.”

I take the sheets from her and set them back on the bed. “Come on.”

She follows me out of her room and down the hall to my own room.

As she stands in the doorway, she seems to shrink in around herself. She looks like she isn’t sure of anything as she toys with the broken strap of her camisole.

After tonight, I don’t think I’m ever going to be able to let her leave my room. I’m going to keep her trapped here where I can make sure she’s safe from anyone who wants to hurt her.

“Sean?” She hesitates and shakes her head. “Never mind. Forget I said anything.”

I stand in front of her, not sure whether to hold her or not. “What? How are you feeling?”

She rolls her bottom lip into her mouth, teeth sinking into it. “I’m fine.”

“You’re lying to me. I don’t think you’re fine at all.” I wrap my arms around her waist, pulling her against me. “You don’t have to pretend that everything is okay. You went through hell tonight.”

Ellie stiffens, looking up at me. “I don’t want you to start treating me like glass. I get enough of that from Aiden, even though I know how to handle myself.”

“I don’t doubt that you do. It looks like you put up one hell of a fight in there.”

The corner of her mouth twitches. “I did.”

“Good.” My hands drift up and down her lower back. “What were you going to ask me?”

She sighs, placing her hands on my chest, looking like she’s torn between pulling me closer or shoving me away. “Will you make me forget that man’s hands were ever on my body?”

When she looks at me like her entire world is shredding into pieces, I know that I’ll do whatever it takes to make her feel better again.

My mouth slants over hers, lips moving together in a dance that feels like we’ve been practicing our entire lives. Her tongue traces along my bottom lip and I open my mouth, tongue tangling with hers as if I can’t get enough of her.

And I can’t.

---