Page 34 of Savage Protector

“I will.” His brows pulled together, faint lines creasing his forehead, and for a moment, I thought I saw something close to regret in his eyes. His lips pressed into a thin line, almost like he wanted to speak but thought better of it. The weight of it all hung there, just barely visible in the tight set of his jaw and the way his gaze flickered past me like he couldn’t quite face me. Or maybe it was just my imagination. I wanted to flatter myself into thinking he looked regretful, but really, he was probably just hoping I would get the hell out of the car and stop bothering him. And that was what I did, dragging my heavy feet as I followed his guys through the door and down the hall leading to an elevator.

It was time to start counting the minutes until I heard Grayson’s voice again. Hope was the only thing that kept me from crying as the elevator car rose.

“Remember,” one of the guards told me on our way up. “No one accesses this floor without a passkey for the elevator. And there will always be someone outside the door. You’re completely safe.”

I reminded myself of that once I entered the spacious, sun-drenched suite, that I was safe. Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked the Strip, and I knew the view would be spectacular once night fell. A large, sunken living area featured sleek furniture, a huge television, and a fireplace. Beyond that was a large kitchen full of sparkling stainless-steel appliances, a dining room, a study, and even a small gym. There were two regular-sized bedrooms, but the master suite was truly spectacular. The en suite bathroom was more like a spa with a whirlpool tub, a steam shower with an elaborate system of jets and controls, heated floors—the works.

And all I had to do was sit around here and enjoy myself while Grayson worked to save my life. No big deal.

Considering the shape I was in, the last thing I should have felt like doing was sleeping, but the sudden drop of adrenaline left me drained. I had gone from waking up this morning feeling nervous to face Grayson after last night to being told I would start a new life on the other side of the country. Now, I was in the lap of luxury, wondering what the hell would happen next. A nap seemed like the only logical step.

Sinking into the soft bed with its mountain of pillows was like floating on a cloud. I didn’t expect to drop right off, but the next thing I knew, I was opening my eyes and wondering where the hell I was. Somewhere along the line, the sun had gone down. I had slept for hours and was now disoriented, wondering what day it was, the way long midday naps tended to do.

A knock on the suite door told me what had woken me up. I hopped out of bed and jogged out there, a little shaky with nerves. One of my guards checking in? Peering through the peephole gave me a view of a pretty young woman with jet-black hair who chatted quietly with the guard on duty standing beside her. It had to be somebody he considered safe, which was good enough for me.

Sure enough, when I opened the door, she introduced herself. “My name is Nova Mancini. It’s good to meet you.” She had a firm handshake and kind smile that immediately put me at ease. “I’m Vaughn’s wife.”

“Oh my gosh. Please, come in.” That was kind of unnecessary, considering I was in her hotel.

I stepped aside so she could stride slowly into the suite. Her fitted suit and shining blowout made me feel like a slob in my leggings and oversized tee. When was the last time I had a haircut, much less a blowout? “How has everything been for you today?” she asked. “Do you need anything? Don’t hesitate to ask for whatever it is. It’s yours.”

Funny, Grayson had also said that. “The suite is absolutely gorgeous and so comfortable. I am so grateful.”

“Vaughn and I both owe Grayson a lot. This is the least we can do.” With a gentle smirk, she lowered her brow. “How are you really feeling, though?”

She gave me a tiny nod of encouragement that unlocked my heart. It was a refreshing change to have a girl to talk to. “I’m worried.” Sitting on the sofa, I tucked my legs under me while she sat at the other end. “I feel like I should be doing something, but I don’t know what.”

Her thumb played with the diamond ring on her left hand, which she rotated as she quietly mused. “I’ve sort of been in a similar position to where you are now. Waiting around is the hardest thing in the world, isn’t it? When there’s something so important going on, and there’s nothing you can do to help.”

“Yes!” I agreed with a sigh.

“But I can tell you that is the best thing you can do… sitting and waiting someplace safe. He’s doing whatever it takes right now to get things under control. Waiting is not something I like to do,” she added with a grimace. “But it’s important. If he knows you’re here, with us, he can focus on whatever it is he needs to do.”

I saw her point. “Do you know the specifics?”

She shook her head without hesitating. “No, it’s better that way. He’s kind of big on keeping people protected. And I’m big on making sure people are taken care of, so don’t hesitate to ask for anything you need.”

“I am sort of hungry,” I admitted. I hadn’t eaten anything since the breakfast Grayson made at the cabin. That was only this morning, but it felt like years. I could never have guessed I would end up here before the day was over.

“Please, call straight to the kitchen, and they’ll send up anything you want.” She then pulled her phone from her jacket pocket and frowned. “I have to go. One of our VIPs just checked in, and we like to greet them personally. But again, give me a call if you need absolutely anything at all.”

It was a bummer she was leaving this soon, but we weren’t besties all of a sudden. I was way too desperate for a connection. “Thank you, Nova.” I really needed to learn to get my emotions under control because her kindness made my chest tighten. Pretty soon, I would be blubbering like a baby.

If only I had met people like this sooner—the sort of people willing to be generous, kind, and patient. People who looked out for each other. Mom used to tell me the only person you can trust in this whole wide world is yourself. It was her mantra. As an adult, I could understand where that came from—she had been hurt, burned, discarded. There was no room for hope.

Maybe if I believed in hope, I wouldn’t have fallen for Dominic so easily. I might have believed there was somebody better waiting for me rather than jumping at the first opportunity to be taken care of by a man with money.

It was so easy to look back and see my mistakes for what they were. How cruel that I couldn’t do anything about them now. I flipped through the room service menu, looking for something to eat. My mouth watered at the descriptions of one tasty dish after another before I finally had to make a decision and place the call or spend the rest of my life deliberating.

They promised a twenty-minute wait, so I took a quick shower in the meantime and felt more human by the time the steam subsided. It helped knowing there was food on the way. I was still wrapping a towel around my wet hair when a knock came at the door.

Remember, nobody can get up to your floor without a passkey. Those words, and the presence of a guard at the door, gave me the courage to trot across the airy living room while cinching the belt on my fluffy bathrobe to peer through the peephole. A man waited in the hall behind a cart laden with lid-covered dishes.

A familiar man.

I flung the door open with a gasp. “Grayson!” Forget the food. As soon as he was in the room, I threw my arms around his neck and squeezed, almost delirious with excitement. My heart pounded in my ears as I peppered his cheeks with kisses. I didn’t care if it seemed wrong or if I was going too far. I was too relieved to fall back on all the warnings I tried to give myself about not caring too much about him.

He didn’t push me away—at least not until he started growing against my hip, prodding me through my robe. “There is a lot of food on this cart,” he managed to murmur in my ear, his arms around me, holding me close. “And it would be a shame if it went to waste. I’m starving too.”