Page 24 of Broken Princess

It's been a couple of hours and Amelia shows no sign of waking up anytime soon. I can't say I blame her for being so exhausted. If it wasn't for the adrenaline, I probably would be, too.

I haven't changed out of my bloodied clothes, so I decide to go ahead and do that and take a shower myself, even though I'm reluctant to leave her even for that long. Even if I am in the next room.

I really don't want to let her out of my sight ever again. Right now, I can't think of any good reason why I would have to.

When I get out of the shower and realize that I missed a call from her father, I know that can either be good news or bad news. At least it means he's alive.

Probably.

Before I can call him back, I hear a knock at the outer door of the hotel suite. I step out of the bedroom and close the door behind me, pulling a gun out of the holster I left on the coffee table. I approach the door slowly, glancing out through peephole. Once I see who it is, I relax a little and open the door.

"There you are," the older man says, frowning in disapproval.

"I didn't have my phone on me for a minute," I mutter.

His scowl deepens in clear displeasure. "I suppose it's too much to ask for you to keep your hands off one of my daughters, even for a few hours."

I roll my eyes. It's no challenge with the one, but something tells me admitting that is not going to win me any points right now.

"She's sleeping," I say pointedly. "And she's fine. Where is Milo?"

The look on his face is more than answer enough. "I tracked him down to the outskirts of the city, but he got away."

"Son of a bitch," I mutter, raking a hand through my hair. "That means he's just going to come after her again."

"Maybe," he agrees. "But he's after me, first and foremost, and the fact that he waited until Amelia was off on her own to take her is proof that he doesn't feel ready to take on the risk of going after me solo."

"It makes it clear he's a fucking coward."

"No argument there," he sighs. He glances past me, still frowning. "How did you know where she would be?"

"I didn't," I admit. "Just had a gut feeling."

He considers that in silence for a moment, but I can see his thoughts working behind his eyes.

"I meant what I said before. We're going to talk about everything," he says in a firm, borderline dangerous tone. If he thinks I'm going to be intimidated, he's wrong.

I shrug. "Talk away."

"In time. When I get home."

"When you get home?" I echo. "You're not coming back with us?"

"No," he replies. "There are some matters I need to take care of here. Things to wrap up, just to make sure that Milo's operation doesn't follow us home."

"I'll go with you," I insist. "Or better yet, I'll go alone."

"I appreciate the intention, but it's really better if I go. I know how he is, how he thinks, and where he's most likely to keep his safe houses. Truth be told, I doubt I'll be able to find him, but I'm going to try, and I think we can agree that it's best for Amelia if she isn't anywhere near here."

I give a grudging nod in acknowledgment. As much as I want to go full throttle and take out Milo along with everyone he's so much as said good morning to, this isn't just about my ego, or even revenge. It's about keeping Amelia—and our baby—safe.

"All right, fine," I say, deciding it's not like I'm willing to leave her side, anyway. "I'll take her home, but I want to know as soon as you get even a whiff of Milo."

"I'll do what I can," he says, to my surprise. He hesitates, glancing past me again like there's something else he wants to say.

"Do you want me to go get Amelia?" I offer.

I know she was worried about him, so I'm offering for her sake only. I'm still in an even more possessive state than usual, and I don't feel like sharing her with anyone. I always rolled my eyes at the other guys who got all protective and turned into cavemen with their wives and girlfriends, but now I get it.

---