AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I’d like that.”
Surprisingly she doesn’t protest about me spending the money to purchase them. Proof she’s still very shaken by what happened. Otherwise, she’d feel guilty and argue. “Me too.”
After I blow out the match, I study her gorgeous face. A mark in the shape of a handprint blossoms on her cheek. Deep red splotches trail along her jaw line. I gingerly run my thumb over the skin starting to swell, and she flinches. Fury like I’ve never experienced engulfs me. “He hit you.”
A slight nod accompanies her small sob. “Yes, and he squeezed my face when I wouldn’t let him kiss me.”
Tears plunge down as her voice wobbles. I absorb her agony so I can in turn unleash the pain a million times worse on him. I crouch down in front of her so she can see the absolute certainty in my expression. “He will pay for what he’s done to you.”
My assertion makes her cry harder, and I clutch her delicate hands in mine until she lets out a shuddered breath and the tears subside. Exhausted, she slumps against her chair. All cried out, she needs now to rest and recover.
Loathe to let her go, I hold her until the kettle shrieks, and I fill our cups. While the tea steeps, I rummage through her fridge for milk and the cabinet for the sugar.
The creak of the propped open front door squeaks behind me and I abandon my efforts, spinning around and grabbing Seraphina to shove her behind me. She’s been through enough and doesn’t need any more strain.
Alex catches on quick as he enters, and his palm whips up while his other arm tugs Bree closer. Thank fuck.
I draw my girl back out and kiss her forehead. She sinks into me, confirming she knows I’ll always protect her. “It’s just your friends.”
“Not Casey?”
“Never again.”
Peace overcomes her from my assertion and her little body softens. “Thank you.”
“Well…” Alex scans us but his frown remains. “He’s gone. I guess he came to enough to take off.”
Not hardly. I’m sure Albert’s already hauled him out and on his way to the torture chamber with him. The thought makes me smile.
Alex takes my grin as approval and nods. “Yeah but I still think she should file a police report.”
Without waiting for further discussion, Bree yanks her phone from her jacket pocket and starts dialing.
I guess we’re going to deal with the cops.
Balthazar
Finally, we’re alone.
It’s been a long ass night, and my girl’s exhausted. Drained from rehashing the assault with the beat cop and then the detective, Seraphina had too much shit to deal with tonight. With Bree hovering and silently emoting her disapproval of me, I’m not sure how much more pressure my angel can withstand.
That ends now.
I stride to her after shutting the door behind her friends, who didn’t depart without hugs and comforting on the repeat. “Come on. Let’s get some rest.”
Red-rimmed eyes meet mine. “The way that police officer kept looking at you, I was afraid they were going to arrest you for hurting Casey.”
What she saw was the younger cop’s own fear. Guy dropped his pen three times while taking notes. They both know I’m one of the most powerful and dangerous men in the world who happens to live in their city. Yet they were smart enough to keep their mouths shut. “Never going to happen. Casey’s the only one who’ll pay for hurting you.”
With her slight nod, I think we’re past the issue and ready to sleep. Until she busts out crying. Shit.
“I’m really sorry. I know it was super expensive and so generous of you to get it for me, but I can’t…I just can’t…”
The tears are devastating me. “Can’t what?”
“Sleep in that bed.”
Motherfucker. I can’t either. Not where another man hurt my angel. “It’ll be gone in the morning, replaced with a new one.”
