Page 28 of Possessive Bodyguard Summer

I locked eyes with him, trying my best not to completely fall apart.

“You’re not alone anymore. Do you understand?”

The minute the words came out of his mouth, I lost it. All the fear, the heartache and the tears I’d been holding back came rushing out.

My vision blurred and I tried to blink the tears away. I tried to pretend I wasn't completely falling apart.

It didn't work.

Clay stood frozen for half a heartbeat.

Like he was giving me the chance to tell him not to touch me.

Instead, I took one shaky step toward him.

His arms came around me instantly.

Strong.

Steady.

Safe.

His hand settled against the back of my head. "I've got you."

I'd spent months believing I was alone. Terrified that the moment someone learned the truth, they'd turn their back on me.

Now, for the first time since I'd fled Colorado, I finally let myself believe I was safe.

CHAPTER

ELEVEN

CLAY

I held Monroe in my arms until her tears stopped falling and she let go.

The minute she stepped back, my arms felt empty.

Every word she’d said, played over and over in my head as she quietly excused herself and went back to her room.

I don’t know how long I stood there, staring at the two glasses of water still sitting on the counter before I decided I needed to dosomethingto try and burn off all the nervous energy flowing through my veins.

After another parameter check, I headed for the home gym I put together in the room off of the living room.

I loaded a pair of forty-fives onto the bar and settled onto the bench.

Down.

Press.

Rack.

Repeat.

Somewhere around the tenth rep, Monroe's voice found its way back into my head.

“I was terrified to leave.”