Page 79 of My Grumpy Billionaire Protector

Quickly, I scramble out of bed and make a beeline for the door, only to have someone pull me back by my hair. I yelp and throw my head back, connecting with solid flesh. My assailant lets out a howl of pain, and I collapse onto the floor. On my hands and knees, I crawl forward, each movement sluggish and unfocused until a hand comes up around my ankle and tugs.

I scream and kick out with my leg, but the assailant’s hiss of pain isn’t enough. Instead, they drag me up to my feet and place a hand over my mouth. I taste bile in the back of my throat, and shivers of unease race up and down my spine. Through the small slit in the curtain, I see a tall and lean figure, dressed in black, including a face mask.

With more force than necessary, they begin to drag me toward the window, and as soon as they do, I jump into action. Using my knee, I jab it into their crotch and take advantage of the surprise to punch them in the stomach and shove them back. When I wheel around and land another punch, all the breath leaves their body, and they crumple like a rag doll.

Shane bursts into the room, wild-eyed and with his hair in tufts on top of his head. He takes one look at me and storms over to the hunched figure. Using one hand, he pulls him up to his feet and lands another punch, and I hear the sickening crunch of bones breaking.

“Who are you?” Shane demands, lifting them up so they were at eye level. He gives them a firm shake, but the masked assailant says nothing. “I’m not going to ask again.”

By the time Hayes and Felix arrive, there is blood on Shane’s knuckles and shirt. Hayes holds Shane back while Felix grabs the assailant by the scruff of his neck and marches him out. A quick look passes between Hayes and Felix before they leave the room, leaving me alone with Shane.

I hesitate before ducking into the bathroom and returning with the first aid kit. “Sit down,” I tell him in a surprisingly clear voice. “Your knuckles are skinned.”

“You should see the other guy.” Shane sinks into the chair and holds his hand out.

I place the first aid kit on the floor next to him before rushing over to the lamp on the nightstand. Soft yellow light fills the room and dances on the walls. A tremor courses through me, but I push it back until I bandage up Shane’s hand. When I am done, he pulls me into his arms, and my head falls into the crook of his neck.

I inhaled. “Thanks for coming.”

Shane cups the back of my head and leans back to look at me. “You don’t need to thank me for that. Apparently, there was a security breach, and everyone was called out.”

“Do you think the person who attacked me set the alarm off?”

Shane’s hands fall to my waist and tighten. “I think it’s too much of a coincidence to brush off. Isaiah will probably take care of it.”

I swallow. “Do you think that my grandpa sent someone to rescue me?”

Shane searches my face. “Evie, I don’t know how to say this, but…”

“He was trying to hurt me,” I whisper with a shake of my head. “Why would anyone break in here just to hurt me?”

And why do I have a feeling it has something to do with my grandfather?

Shane draws back and retrieves the blanket that is draped over the desk chair and wraps it around me. “I’m sorry. Do you want me to make you something hot to drink?”

I shake my head. “No, I’m okay. It’ll pass.”

I continue to tremble until Shane takes my hand and leads me to the bed. After tucking me in, he climbs in next to me and holds me to him. Little by little, the shivers subside, but the feeling of being drained and unsteady stayed.

“I can stay with you tonight,” Shane offers after a lengthy pause. “If you don’t want me to, I can stay at least until you fall asleep, then I can leave.”

I tilt my head back to look up at him. “I want you to stay.”

Shane searches my face. “I’m sorry about how I acted earlier.”

I touch his face, one finger tracing his features. “I know this is messed up, Shane. And neither of us are in this by choice.”

“Was there a but in that sentence?”

I blow out a breath. “I honestly don’t know. I just want you to know that you’re not alone here. I’m confused too.”

Shane presses a kiss to my forehead. “Trying to have all the answers?”

“I have none of the answers.” I exhale and bring my head to a rest against his chest on top of the steady, staccato rhythm of his heart. “But it doesn’t mean I can’t try.”

Shane wraps an arm around my shoulders and squeezes. “You should try and get some sleep.”

“What’s going to happen to the assailant?”

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