Page 30 of Big & Burly Rockstar

“Elli. Look at me.”

I face Dev, whose expression is worried. “It’s over. You’re safe.” I simply stare at him unblinkingly. “It’s over,” he says again. “You’re safe. It’s over.”

Suddenly, all my rage and adrenaline fueled energy leaves me. I stumble, and Dev catches me before I can fall. “I got you, princess,” he mumbles into my hair. “Always.”

“I know,” I say, as I bury my head in his shoulder. I’ve never been this tired before. My eyes flutter shut, and even the loud sirens and screeching of tires can’t convince me to open them. It’s over. I’m safe. I repeat the words like a prayer until I feel the truth of them. It’s over, and I’m safe. I’m in the arms of the man I love.

“It’s okay, princess.” His strong chest rumbles against me.

“I know. Everything’s okay as long as you’re with me.”

I don’t know if he answers. Sleep claims me.

Devon

The detective in charge wants to talk to Elli, but I refuse. I won’t wake her. Not until I have to.

“Look,” I snarl, only keeping my voice down with difficulty, “You can talk to her once she’s been checked out at the hospital. I’m gonna drive her there and if the doctor gives the okay, she’ll answer your questions.”

The man’s nostrils flare. “Fine.”

I carry Elli to the car and carefully lay her on the backseat before I get in, placing her head gently on my lap. Stan stays to answer the cops’ questions while our other bodyguard drives.

All the while, worry churns in my gut. I want the full story. Need to know that Elli really is okay. I run my fingers through her silky hair, not once taking my eyes off her face until we reach the hospital.

Once we’re in a hospital room, I wake her. Her eyes fly open and she thrashes on the bed, gaze wild with panic. When she sees me, her body goes limp, relief washing over the features I’ve come to adore so deeply.

“Sorry,” she mumbles, giving her head a slight shake. “For a moment, I thought—never mind.”

I sit on the edge of the bed and take her hand in mine. “Don’t be sorry. None of this is your fault.”

She gives my hand a squeeze but stays silent. Her tongue flicks over her lips and she takes in a sharp breath. “It’s crazy. He’s crazy. And so is his whole plan. What if I’d come out with you? What if we’d driven to the hospital together? He couldn’t have gotten to me.”

I disagree, but I don’t say it. A man like Adam will have had a contingency plan. He terrorized her methodically for months and months. Had we gone to the hospital together, he probably would’ve followed us and found a way to separate us. If that wouldn’t have worked, he’d have tried again. And again. Like a wolf who scents blood, he would’ve chased his prey until he got what he wanted. I suppress a shudder. I need to be calm. For her. So I take in a deep breath and smile down at her. “I’m sure we’ll find out at the trial.”

She groans, burying her head in the pillow. “I hadn’t even considered that. God, it’ll be horrible. Mel will be distraught. And my parents, and—”

“Your family will be fine, princess. Don’t worry about them. Worry about yourself.”

She looks up at me and sinks her teeth into her bottom lip. “If this goes to trial—” She swallows. “I’m scared of seeing him again.”

The fear in her eyes breaks my heart. “I know. But you’re so strong, Elli. You’re the strongest person I’ve ever met. You’ll get through it. And I’ll be there with you, every step of the way.”

---