Page 15 of Fierce Protector

There’s a disturbingly loud chink at the base of my glass taps down against my granite countertop. I thread the tail of the satin bow through my fingers and pull it open, using my free hand to flick the lid off the box as the ribbon falls away. I realise as I’m doing it, I must lookridiculous. Treating the box like something might jump out at me.

Nothing does.

I stare down at the contents and I’m speechless. Inside are at least two dozen long-stemmed white roses, bound together with yet more white ribbon. They’re stunning, but I’m more than a little confused. This doesn’t feel like a nice gesture. It feels oppressive in its ostentatiousness.

I search the box for a card and quickly find a small white envelope the size of a business card. I pick up the wine glass and take a larger glug before ripping it open.

Reading the message, my heart sinks, and my pulse races.

Your heart is mine, D

Well, that’s not at all unsettling.Goosebumps break out across my forearms, and I fold in on myself, rubbing my arms to try and chase away the chill. What the actual fuck? Is it a love letter? Is it a threat? Who can tell.

Grabbing my wine glass, I am ready to swallow the lot to steady my nerves when there’s a loud banging at the door. I jump halfway out of my skin at the noise and the glass slips from my grip and shatters at my feet.

Fuck.

“Katerina, open up,” comes Stefano’s strained voice through the door.

The relief that washes over me is palpable. I thought it was Danny.Is he watching me now he knows where I live?

“What was that noise? Are you alright?”

I’m barefoot, surrounded by glass, and trapped in place. “Hang on, I smashed a glass,” I shout back, looking around for my best route to freedom. However, I’m obviously not quick enough as there’s a sudden thud against my front door from what I assume is Stefano’s shoulder as he tries to force it open. “For fuck’s sake, cut it out, you lunatic. I’m coming.”

The glass is everywhere. My only escape is over the kitchen island. Pushing the box to the side, I hop up on the counter just as the second bang hits and the hinges of my door give way. Stefano falls through, tripping on the shoes and bag I left in a heap there.

“You absolute fucking moron,” I shout as I scramble across the island and drop down on the other side. “What the fuck do you think you’re doing?”

Careful to watch out for any stray shards of glass, I pad down the hallway as Stefano rolls onto his back and reaches for his shoulder. Looks like he came down pretty hard on it, but I have zero sympathy.

“I thought I heard something.” He groans as he pokes and prods at his collarbone.

“You did. I smashed a wine glass,” I snap at him, as I kneel at his side and bat his hand out of the way, feeling his shoulder and checking for any serious damage. “Why the hell are you here anyway?”

His eyes flick to mine and I know I’m not going to like what he’s about to say.

“Stefano. Why are you here?” My tone is firm and to hammer home the point, I extend my index finger and use it to poke him hard in centre of his chest.

“I was informed that a suspicious package had been delivered to you.”

“Informed by who?” My finger pushes harder into his sternum, and he winces.

“The team I have assigned to you.”

I’m speechless at his admission and from the confused expression on his face, Stefano can’t tell if I’m furious at the invasion of privacy or flattered that he’s protecting me. I’m not sure I know myself, for that matter. He has people watching me? The thought that he’s wasting Bianchi resources should have me spitting feathers, but I’m struggling to muster any anger.

Stefano sits up and rolls his shoulder which snaps me out of my thoughts. “Come on,” I say, standing and reaching out to help him up. “You can ice your shoulder and explain yourself while I clear up.”

CHAPTER EIGHT

KATERINA

Having relieved him of his suit jacket and settled him at the island with a bag of frozen peas to ice his shoulder, I’m distancing myself from Stefano and busying myself with the dustpan and brush. Trying to pretend it wasn’t insanely hot to see him burst through the door to come to my rescue. And seriously, does he own anything other than tailored shirts that fit him like they’re a second skin? “So, what you’re saying is you only have people on me to and from the hospital?” I’m trying my best to sound irritated that he’s in some way encroached on my independence, but it’s tricky when I’m flattered. I hate arriving home alone in the dark. Despite my fierce commitment to the idea that I don’t need a man to protect me, that doesn’t alter the fact that no woman feels safe on her own at night. It’s an inescapable fact.

“When they followed you home, they saw you bringsomething into the house, and I don’t know about you, but oversized boxes left on porches seem awfully suspicious, given we’re currently at war with the De Lucas.” He shifts uncomfortably on his stool, moving the makeshift icepack to a different part of his shoulder while I sink into a pit of mortification, because he’s entirely right. I know better than to trust this package was safe. I’d blame it on my insanely long day, but that’s really no excuse for my stupidity.

I’m not sure I’m ready to confess that to Stefano though.

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