His to Protect: Book 1 in the Bound to Him Series by Sandra Antoni (the reading list TXT) 📗

The incident from the tram crossed my mind again. If I had not seen that laser dot, she could be dead right now instead of asleep in my bed. I was not willing to jeopardize her life.

Pulling out my phone, I sent a few texts. Then I opened my laptop and sat down at the bar beside Brady.

“It’s the best feeling in the world, isn’t it?” Brady asked with a grin, and I glanced over at him. “Finding your mate. Suddenly, your world no longer matters. Everything in your life revolves around her. It’s a wonderful feeling,” he said, raising his coffee cup to me before taking a sip.

I laid my hand on his shoulder. He understood it perfectly, and now, I finally knew what he had felt with Emily all those months ago.

“That it is,” I replied. Then I turned my attention back to my laptop. If I were lucky, Chelsea would sleep for a few more hours.

It was around 9:00 that I finally made my way back to the bedroom. When I opened the door, Chelsea was sitting up on the bed with her phone to her ear. Tears streamed down her face, and she looked up at me when I entered. A smile spread across her face, but I wasn’t sure what it and the tears meant.

I approached the bed and sat down on the edge of it, reaching for her hand. She was silent for a few moments, and I hated interrupting this private moment, but I needed to know that she was okay.

“It’s okay, mom. I understand now. It actually makes a whole lot more sense now…well, honestly, I just thought you guys were crazy, overly-protective parents, but I understand why…well, it’s all a lot, but I’m glad that I finally know…Zeke will keep me safe, dad. It’s what he does for a living. If he can keep celebrities safe, he can keep me safe…I’m not sure if I’ll be back in time. It isn’t safe for me to come home. Not even for Christmas…Of course. Just like old times, I’ll call you every day…I love you both too.”

She disconnected the call and looked at her phone for a few moments. Then her chin lifted, and she looked up at me.

“I needed that,” she said softly, indicating her phone. “They love me, and I love them. It just all seems to make sense now,” she said softly.

I felt relief wash through me. She had not wanted to make that phone call, but it was something that she needed to do. Her parents needed it as well. I had spoken with them, and I knew that they were worried about her. But she had been correct. Until we found out who was after her, she could not return to Kansas City.

That brought up all kinds of insecurities inside me. Did she want to return to Kansas City? Maybe it was just to visit her parents. She had said that she felt at home here with me, and she had to know that I wanted her to stay. I needed her with me. I needed her here in my life, in my house, and in my bed. Life would mean nothing without her at my side.

She was still processing everything, so I decided not to broach that topic just yet. We had time. Instead, I brought up a different subject.

“Well, if you are ready to get out of bed, I have a surprise for you. It will be here in about thirty minutes,” I told her.

She quickly wiped her tears away, and her eyes lit up. The smile that instantly came to her face melted my insides and warmth spread through me. There was nothing that I would not do for her and seeing the smile on her face brought me pure joy.

“I love surprises,” she said animatedly, and I laughed. The next thing I knew, she was out of the bed and dragging on clothes. I preferred her naked, of course, but considering the number of people in my house, I supposed the clothes were necessary.

When we finally exited the bedroom together, I insisted on breakfast first. She settled for a bowl of cereal, and I fixed it for her. When she was settled at the bar, I sat down next to her while she ate. Luckily, Brady was no longer in the room.

“Last night in the shower…you were amazing,” I said softly, and I noticed the blush that crept into her cheeks. It was adorable, but I felt bad for embarrassing her. However, I had been completely honest.

“This is all new for me too. Everything is new with you, Chelsea. I know right now things aren’t perfect, but I want you to know that I am committed to you. I won’t be happy unless you are,” I continued. She stilled and set her spoon down in her bowl. Then she turned and looked up at me.

“Zeke, I am happy. It may not seem like it because a smile is not always on my face, but this was all a lot to take in. I’m still dealing with it and trying to work through it, but inside, I’m at peace. I have never felt this way before. I’ve always felt that something was missing in my life, but I don’t feel that way anymore,” she said softly.

I pressed a kiss to her forehead. She would never understand what those words meant to me. It was just a few minutes after she finished eating that I heard the chime of the doorbell. I motioned for her to get behind the bar and made my way to the door.

I did not want her to follow me because I did not want her to see me open the drawer on the table just inside the door and pull out my gun. With the gun in hand, I reached for the door. When I opened it, I quickly slipped the gun into my waistband.

“Chelsea,” I called back down the hallway.