Page 41 of Broken Bodyguard
“We called the police,” Maddie’s dad said, touching his busted nose gently. “And the EMS. They’re both on their way.”
“Are you both okay?” I called down.
“We’re fine,” Maddie’s mother said, her voice choked with tears. “Maddie’s breathing but she’s passed out.”
“I’m going to secure Jericho before I bring Grace out,” I told them. “I don’t want her to see this.”
I pulled him down the hallway, then kicked him into the open door of the spare room where Grace’s toys were. Out of sight enough for now. But there was still one issue: what if he woke up? I looked around, trying to find a makeshift ziptie. The only thing that made sense to me was some sort of fabric. I tore the sleeve of his button-up clean off at the shoulder seam, then used his own shirt to bind his wrists behind his back. Done. I hurried back to the first bedroom, finding Grace huddled against the bed, her cheeks tear-stained.
“Gracie bell. It’s me.” I held out my hands, hoping I hadn’t scared her away. “It’s okay now. Everything’s okay.”
“Toy.” Her bottom lip trembled. “I want my mommy.”
“I know you do, sweetheart. Let’s go see her, okay?”
She nodded hesitantly and I scooped her up, holding her close. Out in the hallway, I spotted the blood smears across the wall, the dents. I owed the Lamberts an apology. Fucking a guy up was never a clean job.
When we got to the bottom of the stairs, Maddie was awake and mumbling. Grace reached for her grandma, so I passed her to Mrs. Lambert, who rocked her while she cried into Grace’s hair. Maddie’s father squeezed my shoulder.
“Thanks, son.” Emotion shone in his eyes, and I didn’t have the words to tell him how easily I’d do it all again if I had to.
“You’re welcome, sir. I hope he doesn’t give you guys any trouble anymore. I’m going to go check on him while we wait for the police.” Before I did that, I bent down to look at Maddie. She had a nasty gash on the side of her head, but she was as beautiful as ever. I took her chin gently between my thumb and forefinger.
“Maddie. Can you see me?” I wasn’t sure what type of damage that prick had done. I only knew he’d never be laying a finger on her again.
She mumbled something then nodded.
“You’re safe. We’re gonna get you to a hospital now, okay?”
She sighed, her eyes fluttering open. “Thank you, Troy.”
“No need to thank me.” I squeezed her chin gently, glad that I could get lost in the pretty depths of those hazel eyes once more. Men like Jericho could easily have taken it too far. “I did what needed to be done for my girls.”
The small smile that curled her lips was one I wanted to never forget.
It didn’t matter where I went next or how long I was gone.
She and Grace were mine.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
MADDIE
Myvisittothehospital resulted in three lovely new stitches, a very scared daughter who clung to my side endlessly…and a big, bear-like bodyguard who wouldn’t leave my side either.
I spoke with the police while the nurses got my prescriptions, putting through my report for the incident with the tire slashing and what happened this morning. Everything was made much easier thanks to Troy’s expert suggestion to use my cell phone as a recording device—tucked in my back pocket. The outrageous things on the recording were forwarded to the police, and would be used in the custodial dispute moving forward. Troy stood by my side, my hand in his big paw, while Grace curled up in my lap. My mom and dad flitted in and out of the room, offering details when necessary.
After I’d given up all the information they needed to begin the protection order, I looked up at Troy.
“Thank you for being here with me,” I whispered.
“Leaving was never an option.” His jaw flexed, and I could tell he was holding himself back from kissing me. We hadn’t exactly told my parents what was going on. Hell, I don’t think even we fully knew what was going on. But now that we were holding hands in front of them, they’d surely have questions for me later.
I looked at his thick fingers wrapped around my hand. “But your flight leaves tomorrow.”
“I already called Nash and told him I’m missing it.”
Tears welled up in my eyes. “Troy. You can’t do that.”
