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I stop, and turn toward Roman. “We can start back now if—”
The shaking of a shrub behind me is all the warning I get before a strong hand painfully grips my arm, yanks me backward, and cold steel is pressed to my neck. I gasp, holding my breath. Even so, the scent of cheap, cloying cologne invades my nostrils. My heartbeat pounds in my ears, nearly drowning out all other sounds.
“Give me your wallet and that watch,” demands the man who’s holding me at knife point. “Don’t worry, rich bitch, once he hands over his things, you can give me your jewelry too. I like this necklace. Looks like it’s worth a lot.” He runs his blade over the diamonds.
The momentary distraction is his death warrant.
Roman cocks his gun. “Get your hands off my fiancée.” His tone is cold enough to make my blood freeze, and I’m not his intended target.
The man behind me stills, his breath catching in his lungs. “Hey man, let’s not get crazy. Okay? Looks like I brought a knife to a gunfight.” His chuckle sounds forced. If I were him, I’d be shitting my pants about now.
“Don’t make me repeat myself.” Roman bites out.
“Yeah, yeah. Okay.” His hold on me loosens enough that I slip out of his grasp, and stumble straight to Roman.
Roman slides a possessive hand around my waist, shoving me behind him, so that his body is shielding mine.
I peer around his arm at my assailant. The man is holding up both hands and slowly backing away. His calculating glance darts between Roman’s face and his gun. He must see something he doesn’t like in Roman’s expression because suddenly he spins around and makes a run for it.
Roman shoots him in the back—twice.
The gunfire causes my ears to ring. I stand there, watching, as Roman casually strides over to the man on the ground, turns him over with the toe of his shoe, and shoots him point blank in the head. Unfiltered malice rolls off him in waves.
I stare at the dead man on the ground. Maybe I should be horrified, or at least scared, but I feel nothing at all.
From the moment he yanked me away and held a knife to my throat, I knew he was a dead man, just as surely as I know the sun will rise in the morning. He attacked the wrong couple tonight. It cost him his pathetic life.
Roman appears at my side, startling me. He puts away his gun and peers into my face. His knuckles scrape along my jaw as he searches my gaze, for what, I don’t know.
“Are you hurt?” he demands.
I shake my head. My voice comes out slightly hollow and distant. “You shot him in the back.”
It’s more of an observation than an accusation.
Roman’s fingers curl around the back of my neck in a dominating hold. “I told you before, if any man touches you, he’s dead. I keep my word, principessa.” He leans down, his nose brushing against mine. “If he’d drawn a single drop of your blood, I would have tortured him for days. He should count himself lucky to receive a quick death.”
His words send a shiver down my spine. My lips part, and his gaze drops to my mouth.
Then he lifts me in his arms. “Let’s go home.”
CHAPTER13
Roman
We ride home in silence, my girl tucked under my arm, and violent rage simmering in my veins. I should have seen the fucking mugger before he got his filthy hands on her. I should have been paying more attention to our surroundings. It’s my fault her life was put in danger.
I was distracted, flying high on the triumph of winning her over when she was so clearly set against ever agreeing to be mine. Then that damn kiss in the park put my head straight in the clouds, and all the blood in my body rushed to my cock.
Fucking stupid.
I need to do better. I can’t let my enjoyment of Sophia’s company be a constant distraction. Tonight was a wake-up call. If I don’t get my head on straight, both of our lives will be in danger.
When we arrive home, I put Sophia to bed. She’s quiet, exhausted after her ordeal. Or perhaps in shock. Me shooting that miscreant right in front of her may have been the wrong move, but I had no other option than to let him flee. That wasn’t happening.
It’s too late for regrets now.
I head downstairs to my study, pour a large brandy, and bring up Baron’s contact on my phone.
