Page 82 of Close Protection

‘Really?’ I whisper, a smile fighting its way to the surface.

‘Yeah.’ He searches my eyes. ‘Is that something you’d want?’

I roll my eyes. ‘You cannot seriously be asking me that question.’

‘Of course I can. We come from two separate worlds, Daphne, and I don’t know how I’m going to be able to provide for you. Yes, I know we’re young, but I want a future with you so I will do everything in my power to be the man you need me to be.’

‘You would do that? For me?’

‘I’ve come to realize that I would do anything for you, Daphne Green.’ He cups my face and places a tender kiss on my lips. ‘Anything.’

31Daphne

‘Daphne?’ I feel a soft kiss on my forehead as I slowly open my eyes.

‘Daphne, wake up, baby.’ I smile as Milosh comes into view.

‘I’m gonna go get us some food and a couple of burner phones. Do you need anything else?’ I shake my head, still slightly out of it, as he nods, putting his shoes on. He’s changed out of his tux and is in his usual black T-shirt and cargos combo. He looks freshly showered.

‘I won’t be gone long, and I’m gonna take the key with me, all right?’

‘Okay.’

He lingers a moment longer before kissing me on the forehead again and disappearing out of the door.

I sit up and reacclimate myself. Yesterday, so much happened that I have to take a moment to run throughthe events.

You’re gonna make me go crazy, Daphne Green.I smile when I think back through everything Milosh said and did on this sofa, but then I process why we’re here.

Gala.

Trashed house.

Kidnap.

Escape.

France.

After our conversation, I climbed off Milosh and we finished watching the movie. I ended up falling asleep on his shoulder, but some time between then and now he must’ve got up and laid me down on the sofa to go and have a shower.

I’m glad Milosh stopped us when he did. I wasn’t in the right frame of mind to go any further. I always knew I wanted to save myself for someone special, potentially even until marriage, but that ideal was nowhere to be found last night. I was ready to give it all to him.

On my childhood holiday sofa.

Yeah… Not the best look.

I want it to be special and preferably not straight after finding out my life’s been upended.

I don’t know how I’m going to be able to provide for you. Yes, I know we’re young, but I want a future with you so I will do everything in my power to be the man you need me to be.I smile as I think back to what he said last night. My father has always had money so that was never a problem in my parents’ relationship, and I never really thought about how it could affect mine.

I grew up in a circle where everyone has money, so financial strain never really crossed my mind. I think that’s why I’m so okay with becoming a midwife. I’ll always have my trust fund to fall back on and I always assumed I’d marry someone like Teddy, who would one day inherit his family’s company.

But when Milosh brought up his concerns yesterday it shed new light on the topic. Am I okay to swap out the life I’m used to? Absolutely not. And I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that, but I also don’t want a life without Milosh and he works for the US military.

But there’s something to be said about his determination and drive.

He has discipline and resolve and a big old soft spot for me. That’s how I know this can work. He doesn’t want to stay where he is, he’s willing to work for a better life.