Page 4 of Tempting My Billionaire Master

Chapter Two

Ethan

My instincts kicked in with an animal ferocity. I lunged forward to shield Chloe from the impending danger, her petite frame trembling against mine.

The shot rang out and shattered the glass behind us. Chloe screamed.

With her arms wrapped tightly around my neck I leapt through the broken window, ignoring the searing pain from the cuts inflicted by the shattered glass.

Gordon fired again. The bullet whizzed past my ear, too close for comfort.

Chloe was trembling in my arms, her breaths coming in panicked gasps. I tightened my hold on her. “It’s okay,” I rasped. “I’ve got you. We have to move.”

I held her close as we sprinted away from the window while Gordon fired at us relentlessly. Chloe’s heart raced against mine as we ran across the lawn.

Chloe stumbled, nearly falling, but I scooped her up and kept running.

As we rounded a corner Chloe’s panic reached its peak and she started squirming in my arms. Her face was pale, eyes wide with terror. Chloe clung to me desperately, her breaths coming in short, shallow gasps. I pressed her against the cold stone wall, shielding her with my body.

“Chloe, you have to trust me,” I said firmly, my eyes locking onto her tear-filled ones. I set her down but kept an arm around her waist. Her body was soft against my side, radiating warmth even in her fear. “I will protect you, but I need you to stay calm. Can you do that?”

Chloe shook her head, eyes glassy with tears. “We can’t go out there! Your bodyguards, they’re everywhere—”

“Chloe.” I grasped her shoulders, forcing her to meet my gaze. “I will keep you safe.”

Her lips parted. She blinked up at me, a myriad of emotions flickering through her eyes. Then she took a deep, shaky breath and nodded.

“Good.” I pulled her close again, tucking her head under my chin. She was in danger because of me. I would do anything, sacrifice everything to keep her safe. “Stay close to me. I’ll get us out of this.”

Chloe nodded against my chest. I stroked her hair once, a brief moment of comfort, before pulling away. “Let’s go.”

We crept along the side of the house, dodging between bushes and flower beds. The garage loomed ahead, offering a fleeting hope of salvation. If we could just reach it, perhaps we could make it out of here alive.

In the distance, I could see a couple of bodyguards stationed near the garage, assault rifles in hand. I bit back a curse. Getting past them would be tricky, but for Chloe, I’d do whatever it took.

“Stay close,” I whispered to Chloe, as we dashed toward the garage, her long auburn hair streaming behind her like a fiery banner of defiance.

My heart pounded as we crept along the side of the house, keeping to the shadows. Chloe gripped my hand tightly, her palm slick with sweat. I squeezed it gently, hoping to reassure her, but suddenly her grip tightened as we paused behind a thick hedge, listening intently to the sound of raised voices nearby.

“Shouldn’t have done it, shouldn’t have listened to the scarred bastard,” one bodyguard growled. “Ethan would’ve paid us more for loyalty.”

“Easy for you to say,” another retorted. “You don’t have a daughter being held ransom. I would do the same in Gordon’s place!”

I clenched my jaw, fury simmering beneath the surface. The betrayal cut deep, but now was not the time for retribution. Chloe’s safety came first.

She whimpered softly. I pulled her closer, murmuring, “It’s alright. We’re almost there.”

Chloe buried her face in my chest and seemed to calm down a little.

“Stay close,” I whispered, guiding her towards the garage. If we could just get inside, we might stand a chance of escaping this hellish nightmare.

Sneaking past the arguing bodyguards, my heart raced in my chest as we reached the garage door. But when I pressed my hand against the biometric lock, it remained stubbornly closed.

“Damn it,” I muttered under my breath. “They must’ve reprogrammed the system.”

Chloe’s eyes widened in panic, and I pulled her into my arms, offering what little comfort I could. “It’ll be okay, Chloe. We just need to find another way in.”

She looked up at me, concern etching her features as she took in my various cuts and scrapes. “But Ethan, you’re hurt—”

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