Page 152 of Arianna

“Senator. Is it true that you have business with the Italian American mafia?” A woman shouts behind us, making Sebastian stop. I feel his entire body become rigid while my freezes.

How do they know?

I witness Sebastian’s security team form a wall with their bodies between the paparazzi and us. Then our Van pulls up. Sebastian gently puts me down, taking my face in his hands. He frowns when he looks at me.

His gentle fingers pull my bangs to one side, then pain explodes on the spot he touched. “Ouch.” I lift my fingers to the right side of my forehead, and there's blood on it.

Shit.

I must've hit something when I stumbled with the paparazzi, but with the adrenaline, I didn't feel anything until now. “I am okay. It’s nothing.” I tell him when I notice Sebastian’s eyes flash with a rage I have never seen before until tonight. I always knew he was dangerous underneath his fancy words and suits, but this man in front of me? This is something else entirely.

It is a man no one should ever cross.

A man that promises pain.

Reaching behind me, he opens the van’s door and helps me inside before turning back to the media. Cameras and microphones are being shoved in his face, angering me, but I stay back and let him do his thing.

Completely enamored with all that he is.

I knew that what I felt for him couldn't be just simple gratitude or a crush.

No.

This feeling in my chest grounds me, and at the same time, lifts me to the clouds.

This feeling couldn’t be anything but the scariest feeling of them all.

Love.

The kind of love that comes once in a lifetime.

Heart racing like crazy, I take in the scene before me.

Sebastian against the world.

Sebastian standing proud, angry, and scary as hell, dead set on tearing his whole world apart for me.

“Listen closely because I will not be making another statement.” He raises his head at the same time he adjusts his cufflinks. I can't see his face because he has his back to me, but I can see the faces of the men and women around him. Some were annoyed, some eager, and others completely in awe of his commanding presence. “I don’t know who leaked the vile lies and accusations, but rest assured, I will be taking matters into my hands in finding who did it. I will also come after every single one of the news outlets and magazines who are taking part in slandering my name and hers without proof.” Sebastian says darkly, emotionless, then turns his back on them, dismissing them as if they mean nothing, as if they don’t exist.

“Seba–” His name gets caught in my throat when he hardens his stare and says one final thing to the paparazzi. “And I will personally come after the one who tripped her, causing her to hit her head. I recommend you quit your job and leave this city before I get my hands on you. It won't be pretty.”

I suck in a breath when he threatens them publicly for the entire country to witness. With that, he climbs inside, next to me, and shuts the van’s door, keeping us safe from the frenzy outside. Sebastian looks upset and fucking pissed still.

Taking his hand, I tell him. “I am okay.”

He doesn't look at me, just keeps staring absently out of the car’s window. “You were hurt. On my watch.” His chest rises and falls rapidly.

Bringing our entangled hands to my lap, I whisper. “It is not your fault. These things will happen.”

“Not to you. Not ever again.” He vows fiercely with so much emotion it steals my breath. “I promise you that.”

I believe him, too. I believe he is capable of doing whatever needs to be done to keep me from harm, but life happens, and as much power as one man holds, it will never be enough to stop life from happening. “I will have the head of whoever had the balls to cross me, Arianna. I promise you that, as well. They will regret it.”

I almost feel sorry for the dumbass who thought he or she could get away with crossing a man like him.

I offer him a half smile, then he tucks me closer to his side and I rest my head on his hard chest.

I listen to the beat of his heart all the way back to his home.

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