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“Are you ok?” His voice is full of panic. Besides my father, he’s the only other person on this earth that truly loves me and expects nothing in return. That’s not true now, though, is it? My father expects a lot from me. This marriage is proof of that. I guess that makes Collin the only one. “Your father told me what happened.”
I sigh into the phone. I don’t know what I am, but I know I’m not hurt. “I’m ok. I promise.”
“I’ll be the judge of that myself. I need to see you.” The panic in his voice hits me hard.
“I don’t know if I’m allowed.” I say into the phone. More questioning what my next move should be than making a statement.
“Allowed? Are you a prisoner?” I can hear the concern growing in his voice.
I need to put him at ease. I should be as afraid for my own safety as Collin is but for some reason I’m not. I don’t know much about Dominic, but I felt safe in his arms. “Of course not.”
I don’t think I am. That would be taking the vow of honor and obey a bit too far for my taste.
“Then meet me. I’m already in the city. I’ll drop you my location.”
“Fine. See you soon.”
I quickly change into my jeans and a peplum top in a deep red. It’s wrinkly but it’ll have to do. I tie my hair up in a messy bun and skip the makeup. I’m meeting Collin, he’s seen me at my worst. No makeup is nothing. Besides, he doesn’t look at me that way so why would he care?
When I’m finally ready, I sling my purse around my neck and tuck it under my arm. I’m nervous about running into Dominic once I leave this room. Will he try to stop me?
Fortunately, he doesn’t appear to be here. Relief washes over me. I know I’ll have to see him sooner or later but for now I don’t have to worry about what comes next. I’m halfway to the door when a female voice behind me catches me off guard. “Good afternoon Mrs. Delgado. I’m Lanah Alessi. I believe you met my husband Franco last night.”
I spin around to find her leaning against the kitchen island. The cup of coffee in her hand smells so good my mouth starts to water. If I can just get out of here, I can meet Collin and get my own. And a donut I promise myself.
“Yes.” What am I supposed to say? How could I forget the man that saved me? Carried me out of the hotel like I weighed nothing but that doesn’t explain why she’s here, in Dominic’s apartment.
She nods, understanding my loss for words. “If you’re going somewhere, Mr. Delgado wants me with you.”
I blink rapidly at her. It should sound like a strange request but then again someone did try to kill him last night, a fact that shouldn’t be so easy to forget. I have no idea what kind of danger may await me outside this apartment. Hell, I don’t know what kind of danger can find me in here.
“So, you’re my babysitter?” I ask.
She draws her long black hair back into a tight ponytail, looking like she’s ready to fight.“More like your bodyguard.”
I tilt my head slightly to the left and stare at her. I don’t mean to come off as sexist, but this is the last thing I expected.
“Don’t let my size fool you. I’m extremely capable. Ex-FBI agent and damn good at my job.”
“And now you work for Dominic?” What she must consider insult after insult roles off my lips. “I’m sorry. I’m a bitch when I’m hungry.” Trying to remove my foot from my mouth, I gesture for her to come with me. She didn’t say I was expected to stay locked away in this tower.
“I’m meeting a friend for coffee.” I say hesitantly, still unsure if I’m making the right decision.
“Collin James?”
I tilt my head. “How do you know that?”
“It’s my job. I can’t protect you if I don’t know everything about you. Including who your friends are.” She replies as we exit the apartment and walk toward the elevator.
“Everything?” I ask, curious how much she knows about Collin or about me. How much Dominic knows because I know very little about him.
“Everything.” She nods, “Why do you think no one is stopping you?”
I hesitate for a minute, trying to process what she means by that when the elevator door opens. I step inside and hit the button for the ground floor before she changes her mind.
“That ring on your finger makes you his, which means it’s my job to protect you from danger, including yourself. Men, Dominic hasn’t already cleared; would be dangerous.” She winks.
I’m speechless as we ride the elevator down to the lobby and step out the double glass doors onto the sidewalk. I didn’t notice last night; it was dark, and I was in shock, but we are standing in the heart of Philadelphia. Surrounded by skyscrapers with historic sites bustling with tourists only a few feet away. It’s breathtaking. Lanah waits patiently for me to take it all in.
