Page 94 of The Forbidden Bodyguard

Then someone yanks me to him.

“Stop or I put a bullet in her head,” Tony screams as metal presses hard against my temple.

Declan rips off his balaclava and stands before me, legs spread, his gun pointed ahead, warrior mode activated.

He looks terrifying and beautiful.

He came for me. Despite everything, he’s here.

A wobbly smile crosses my lips because it doesn’t matter what happens next. He’s here.

“Let her go,” Declan growls.

A quick glance around reveals all the guards on the ground. Two other men in black balaclavas are dressed like Declan and stand a few feet from him, their guns also raised.

“I will kill her, and we both know you love her.” Tony drawls.

He does?

I should be focused on staying alive, but my brain is locked on those words. My mouth parts, and I gaze across the space to Declan, waiting for him to respond.

Watching his response.

Does he love me?

The gun presses harder against my skin, and the moment is broken, but for a split second, his eyes find mine, and I see the truth. I don’t know if it’s love, but it looks a lot like how I feel about him.

Oh man, I can’t die.

“You have about three seconds to step back and let her go, or I put a bullet in your forehead,” Declan warns; his voice is strong and clear. “Three.”

Tony chuckles.

“Two.”

“Man’s not joking Marino. Drop your weapon. The cops will be here soon.”

I recognize Ryder’s voice.

Declan’s focus does not falter. His gun moves as we do, all his attention is on saving my life.

“One.”

God, please don’t take this man from me, or me from him. Please let me have him.

Holding my breath as that last count disappears, and the world starts moving, I watch my bodyguard do what he promised. To protect me.

Smiling, I whisper, “I love you.”

Then I scream.

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

DECLAN

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Boots pounding out in the hallway are the backdrop to Stella’s scream after my bullet leaves the chamber. I lower my weapon and run to her as she falls to the ground.