Page 102 of Close Protection

‘Yeah, I’m fine.’ I glance between Milosh and them. ‘What are you guys doing here?’

‘A woman called Lucy contacted me to let me know what’s been going on and to tell me that your father’s in hospital,’ Uncle Jonathan explains. ‘I called Emily and Leo and we all came down to see him. He told us the whole story from the beginning and explained how good Milosh was at keeping you safe. We were already thinking of starting up a security division at Greenway, but this situation settles it. George told us that he thinks Milosh should run it, so we all came in here to ask him if he’ll accept our offer.’

‘I’m sorry, you want Milosh to run a Greenway division?’ I ask. Greenway divisions are only run by Greens.

‘Yes.’ Is his oh-so-simple reply.

‘Really?’ I start to smile as it all sinks in.

‘Daphne, this man saved your life multiple times, has good contacts in the US military and is highly skilled. Which one of your cousins has that resumé?’ Uncle Leo chirps.

He’s not wrong. All of my cousins are very book-smart but when it comes to strength and agility they are severely lacking.

‘Anyway.’ Uncle Jonathan looks back over to Milosh who’s sitting on a hospital bed, legs swung over the side.‘Give it some thought. No need to give us an answer now, so take your time.’

‘Okay,’ Milosh responds. ‘Thank you for the offer.’

They nod and once they’ve given me a quick hug they depart, leaving me and Milosh alone.

‘Mr Petrov,’ I say, walking towards the bed.

‘Miss Green.’ His eyes soften as they meet mine.

‘You just got offered a job, huh?’

‘It definitely looks that way.’

‘So… what are you thinking?’ I walk up to him, settling between his open legs.

‘I’m thinking that I want to build a life with you,’ he answers, his hands landing on my waist, pulling me closer. ‘And that this offer could help me give you the life you deserve. What do you think?’

My mouth pulls into a smile. ‘I think I love you, Mr Petrov, and I think you love me too.’

‘Is that so?’ He smirks.

‘Mm hmm.’ I nod, wrapping my arms around his shoulders.

‘You’d be willing to bet money on it?’ His hands move and tighten around my hips.

‘A significant sum, yes.’

‘Well then, I guess you just won big, because I do.’ He brings his lips to mine.

‘I love you, Miss Green.’ He starts dotting kisses across my face and neck. ‘I love your face, I love your hair, I love your laugh, I love your smell, I love your mind, I love your voice.’ He cups my face in his hands, those beautiful green eyes boring into mine. ‘I. Love. You. And I will continue to love you until I have no more breath in my lungs.’

And just like that.

I found my Henry.

EPILOGUEMILOSHFive years later

‘I delivered three babies today!’ Daphne gloats as she dips into the car. I close the door behind her and round the car to sit in the driver’s seat.

‘Well done, baby,’ I praise, placing a chaste kiss on her lips and watching as she slips her engagement ring back on.

‘It was two girls and one boy, and they were all healthy with no complications!’ She sighs contently, as I start the car and pull out.

It’s been six months since Daphne started her new job at the Howard Memorial private hospital and I’ve yet to fail to pick her up after her shift. I had a meeting with a new client today so I’m in the Tom Ford suit Daphne chose for me the day I accepted the job as CEO of Greenway Security. With Amelia’s business, admin and finance background she joined, along with Henry, and, with the support and guidance of the Greens, in the last five years Greenway Security hasbecome the top private security company in England.