Page 31 of Bred By the Mercenary

“It doesn’t matter.” Daxton shakes his head, his gaze hardening. “You never have to worry about him again. My team will take care of it, and tonight never happened should anyone ask, okay?”

I look up at him, struck by his confidence. “You sound so confident.”

“I’m good at my job, good at making people disappear. And should anyone ever think of hurting you, they won’t see me coming,” he says, a fierce protectiveness in his tone.

Pressing my cheek against his chest, listening to his thundering heat, a sense of disbelief ripples over me.

“How’s your head?” I ask, glancing up.

“Hurts like a bitch.” But he’s smiling. “It’s why I asked Dean to drive, in case I have some kind of concussion. I’ll get a doc at the hotel to look me over once we arrive.”

“Daxton’s one of the strongest men I know.” Dean smiles in our direction through the rearview mirror. “A knock to the head won’t stop him.”

Daxton chuckles.

How did I get so lucky to find someone so caring, someone who actually risked his life for me? What would have happened if I never met Daxton that night at the masquerade party? If Ryker had taken me, then what? Who would have come for me? But it’s so much more than just protection that makes me adore Daxton so much. It’s the way Daxton looks at me, as if he would perish if something happened to me.

He leans in closer, his voice a comforting whisper. “We’re going to take a couple of weeks off work together to move you into my home and get you settled. Okay?”

“I’d like that.” I nod, a sense of relief washing over me. “I can’t recall the last time I had time off from work.”

Daxton reaches into his pocket and gently places something in my hand. It’s my gold necklace, the one with the masquerade mask pendant he had given me. I look at it, noticing the clasp is broken, but the pendant is still intact, its pink stones twinkling even in the dim light of the car.

“You found it,” I say, a cheeriness in my voice despite the night’s events. “Thank you, it means a lot. I love this gift from you,” I reply, holding the necklace close. “It’s my first from you and will always be super special to me.” As I speak, I can’t help but feel a warmth in my heart.

“Saw it sitting in the grass, the pink diamonds blinking in the moonlight. It’s the first thing I saw when I got up off the ground, and it forced me to get up, knowing you’re in trouble. I’ll get it fixed for you, little dove,” Daxton promises, his voice firm yet gentle.

Settled against his chest, the necklace in my closed hand, I stare out at the long stretch of road, the night enveloping us. Despite the horror of the night, there’s peace settling in my heart. In the most unlikely of ways, I’ve found someone I’m beginning to truly love. The car hums around us, but inside, there’s a quiet calm, a promise of a new beginning, a life I never thought I’d have the chance to embrace.

CHAPTER NINE

DAXTON

Gazing at Amelia in the skimpy bikini I bought for her, it reveals more than it covers. She jumps off the edge of our over-water bungalow into the pristine ocean, howling with excitement. Seeing her happy fills me with a sense of contentment I’ve never experienced.

The water’s so clear, I can see the grains of sand on the ocean floor, and the sun beams down on us, making it the perfect day. The unexpected vacation to the Maldives, which extended to two calming and sex-filled weeks, is everything to me. As I watch Amelia, I know she’s everything I’ve been missing in my life.

Her head pops up out of the water, her hair slicked back off her face, and that smile of hers lights up the entire ocean.

“Oh, the water is amazing!” she calls out to me. “You need to get in already.”

I grin like a damn fool, taking in the breathtaking beaches behind us, the endless ocean, and the crystal-clear skies. And most importantly, my girl in the water. The soft breeze and the distant calls of birds are the only sounds in this slice of paradise.

I had no idea how much I needed this vacation until we arrived. Now, all I want is to explore the world, to spoil Amelia, to give her everything. Truth be told, we don’t need to workagain with my healthy bank account, but my first order of business upon returning is to fix up the bar and get it back in order for those who rely on it. They are Amelia’s friends, and I won’t leave them stranded.

“Daxton, come on already!” Amelia splashes water toward me, her laughter ringing across the water.

“Right, for that, you’ll be sorry,” I joke, stripping off my shirt so I’m just in my board shorts before diving into the cool waters. The ocean envelops me, washing away the heat from my skin. I emerge a few feet away from my little dove.

I dive back under, hearing Amelia’s playful shriek and attempt to escape. I swim after her, the clear water making it easy to see her. Finally, I catch her, wrapping her in my arms and lifting her out of the water. She wraps her arms around my neck, her laughter mingling with mine. Holding her close, I cover her face in kisses.

“You are so beautiful.” Her soft body presses against mine, and she wraps those sexy legs around my waist, hanging on.

“I love it here,” she says. “I never want to leave.”

“That can happen,” I suggest. “Or we simply return every few months.”

“Can we do that?”

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