12. Soren

I've been staying at Adonis' estate for a couple of days now, and each one feels like a dream. It's the first time in a long time that I haven't worried about being a burden or deciding if I should be doing something else.

Sally has been teaching me to cook, and I couldn't be happier. I've truly found my place in the kitchen, even after burning a few things and ruining others. We always just start over, and I learn from my mistakes. She doesn't make me feel like a failure when I don't get something on the first try.

The best part is Blue has begun warming up to Adonis and his most trusted men. Sally had his love from the minute she fed him a colossal steak the first night we were here. She has food; therefore, she's one of his best friends.

I haven't heard anything from my father since that time he came by, but I know he's not done trying to get me back yet. Not when he's promised me to another man. Adonis has been vigilant about my safety. Even now, as I'm walking Blue outside the estate, there is a guard about fifty feet in front of me and two more the same distance behind.

During the evenings, Adonis usually takes this walk with me, but in the mornings, he leaves me to do it on my own. I told him the other day that I love the way he's obsessed with me, but he walks too fast, and after the way we keep each other up at night, I need a more leisurely pace. He laughed but granted me this wish. Like he always does.

I only have to ask for something, and it typically appears within the hour. I've never been happier than I am with Adonis, and I like to think it's the same for him. Which is why I don't understand this sense of foreboding I've had all morning.

Blue stops to sniff the air. I've been going without the muzzle on him because I've always got someone with me, and my dog trusts these men to a point that they can handle him when needed. There haven't been any incidents, but I'm still vigilant.

Watching his hackles rise, I step closer and hold his leash tighter. A blacked-out SUV rolls slowly down the street, and I watch in horror as a window rolls down, the muzzle of a gun slides through the opening, and a burst of gunfire explodes. Blood sprays from the guard in front of me before he drops to the ground.

I'm tackled from behind, one body covering me, the other returning fire, and Blue barks and growls, trying to attack but unable to get free from my grip.

"Stay down," the guard on top of me orders, and I curl into a smaller ball as tires squeal. Suddenly, the noise is gone, yet the silence is deafening.

"Is it over?" I whisper, but it sounds like I'm yelling.

I'm warned, "Running back to the house," as I'm hauled to my feet. One injured guard is behind me, and the other holds my arm as we run. Unfortunately, my legs are too short, and I keep tripping. Eventually, I'm picked up, and the leash slips from my fingers, but Blue runs ahead, barking wildly at the gates of Adonis' estate until they're opened and a dozen men come piling out.

Zak and Eli are at the front of it, followed by Adonis. "Princess." He drags me from the guard's arms, skimming his hands all over my body, checking for injuries, before cupping my cheeks and angling my head so I'm forced to look into his eyes. "Are you okay?"

"I-I-I think so." I don't think I'm hurt, but I'm not sure I'm okay, either. Not after being shot at. It's the second scariest moment of my life. The first was watching Adonis getting shot twice. "Why does this keep happening?" I murmur, not really expecting an answer.

Dragging me into his arms, I'm wrapped tightly in the safest place I'll ever be. "It'll never happen again, princess, I promise." And I believe him. Because I don't think I'll ever leave his house again.

"Ambulance is on the way," I hear someone shout. "He's still alive." My head lifts at that. I don't know my guards well; there hasn't been enough time for that, but I do like them, and I certainly don't want anyone losing their life simply for protecting mine.

"Any idea who it was?" Adonis' voice rumbles in my ear, where I lean against his chest.

"I got a plate number," the guard who covered my body with his says.

"Can I go inside, Adonis? Please." I don't want to be out here anymore. I need to be inside, away from all of this. I never thought of myself as weak before, but after this, I'm starting to feel like maybe I am. Maybe I'm not cut out for this kind of life. It's terrifying.

"Nothing's going to happen to you, princess." Slanting his lips over mine, he inhales me. Devours me. Our tongues tangle, and with as intense as the last few minutes have been, he's sweet in his claiming. "Joe!" he calls out when he pulls back.

"Yeah, boss?" The tall blond man looks furious.

"Take her up to the house, lock everything down, and stay by her side." He waits until Joe nods before dismissing him. "Stick with Joe. Stay away from windows and doors. Listen to him." I nod furiously as Joe grips my elbow, ushering me up to the house. Blue doesn't follow me; instead, he sits beside Adonis' feet and awaits orders.

I'm ushered into Adonis' office. There are no windows in here, and the doors are closed and locked.

Neither of us says a word as Joe stands guard, waiting for his next orders. I sit on the couch against the far wall and wrap the throw blanket around my body. Suddenly, I'm frozen to the bone. I realize it's the adrenaline rush over everything that just happened. I should be fine. I will be fine. I am fine. But I'm so scared.

For myself.

For Adonis.

For the men paid to protect me.

I thought Adonis was silly for insisting on bodyguards. I'm just me—a little nobody from Irvine. Except that's not true.

It's been a lie I've told myself my entire life.

My father's line of work, his clientele, has always put me at risk. Now, there's Adonis, who he is, and what he does. I don't fault him for his lifestyle; there are worse men out there in the world. He, at the very least, has a moral compass.

Clearly, I hadn't expected for my world to come crashing in on me due to either man because now, I really need to consider the men in my life…if the risk to my own is worth being in theirs.

"Who did this?" I finally ask, recognizing it's unlikely they'll know at this point.

"We don't have answers yet." Joe's steady gaze remains locked on the door.

I acknowledge that, curling up into the corner of the couch and waiting on word that it's safe to come out. What I don't expect is to fall asleep and slip into a realm of nightmares where my own worst fears come true.