Page 127 of Defending You

“You always know just what to say.” Cici infused her tone with affection. Her sister had put herself in harm’s way the night before. Cici’d heard the story, how a second team of mercenaries had shown up, how Alyssa had seen them coming through the drone feed.

Because apparently, they’d had drones, which was crazy enough.

Alyssa had managed to climb a tree, just high enough to be out of sight. And then she’d been stuck there until the commandos had searched all the vehicles and the forest surrounding them.

From the tree, she’d continued her surveillance of the property and even managed to cut the lights. All in an effort to save Cici’s life.

“Thank God you’re okay.” Brooklynn’s voice was filled with emotion as she approached. “When Forbes told me what happened…”

In the foyer around the corner, the front door opened, and Cici’s heart skipped as a familiar voice carried through the house. Asher’s low rumble, followed by other voices she didn’t recognize.

A moment later, one of Dad’s security guards—she didn’t know this one’s name—escorted four people into the room. Cici didn’t recognize the woman or one of the men.

Her cousin Grant nodded in her direction as he slid a suitcase near the steps.Hersuitcase.

“It was in the backseat of one of the cars at the factory last night,” he explained. “I convinced them it wasn’t evidence.”

“Thank you.” Her things were back, not burned in the barn fire like she’d thought, though her soft-sided bag definitely carried the scent of smoke. She didn’t care about anything inside that bag, not nearly as much as she cared about Asher.

It was him she’d longed for.

He stopped a few feet away, staring at her.

She squeezed between Mom and Brooklynn, her heart hammering against her ribs. The sling supporting his left arm reminded her of how close she’d come to losing him, but his eyes were warm and alive and focused entirely on her.

“How’s the shoulder?” she asked, stopping just close enough to catch the familiar scent of his cologne.

“Better.” His voice was rough, and she caught the way his gaze swept over her face. “You?”

“Better.” She wanted to touch him, to reassure herself he was real and safe, but the roomful of people watching made her hesitate.

Before she could decide, Dad strode into the room, his face flushed with anger. When he saw her standing with Asher, his expression darkened further.

“So this is what happened?” Fury dripped from the words. “You got distracted from your mission and nearly got my daughter killed?”

Dad’s anger always raised the same reaction in Cici—fear and shame, the certainty that she’d done something terrible, something to deserve such awful wrath. Even though it was directed at Asher, her heart thumped, knowing Dad would turn it on her if she dared make a sound.

But Asher didn’t deserve it. Asher, who’d nearly died trying to save her life, deserved nothing but respect and gratitude. She swallowed her fear and gripped Dad’s arm. “Don’t, please. Asher did everything he could.”

Dad shook her off and stepped closer to Asher. He was a few inches shorter and a couple of decades older, but he wore power like a crown. Not many men stood up to him.

Asher straightened, lifting his chin. He didn’t take a step back. He didn’t even flinch.

She was overwhelmed with pride for this man she loved.

“You were hired to protect her.” Dad poked Asher in the chest.

He looked down at Dad’s hand, then back at her father. The look held just enough threat that another man might’ve stepped back.

But not Gavin Wright.

“Dad, stop it.”

He glanced at her as if he’d just noticed she was there.

“That’s enough.” The authoritative voice belonged to the older man Cici didn’t recognize. He stepped closer, his bearing military-straight despite his silver hair. “Mr. Wright, if you have a problem with my agent’s performance, take it up with me. You will not berate my agent. You owe nothing but gratitude to the man who saved your daughter’s life.”

Dad shifted his fury. “Who are you?”