Page 115 of The Elusive Billionaire

“They’re both fine.” Brax’s soothing tone does nothing to erase the worry lines from either of their faces. “But there’s a guest waiting to check in… Someone who shouldn’t be there.”

As if on auto-pilot, Savvy hands Keela off to Elle.

“Who?” With every step she takes toward us, I see her walls building around her limbs like a magical string tightening her armor.

“Riley,” I say, ensuring her focus is on me when she gets this news. I’m the one who will take her shock, her fear, her anger. I’m the one who will absorb it, control it, and spit it back out at anyone who tries to tear her down.

I don’t know when the change happened. When I went from lusting for her body to craving her connection, willingly burning the world to the ground for her, but there’s no denying that’s where I am.

I am her protector, her partner, hers.

Her steps falter, and the flash of fear in her eyes cuts me to my core, but she recovers faster than I’d like. I hate that she doesn’t allow herself time to come to terms with bad news—she just reacts and puts plans into motion.

She’s playing chess too…except she hasn’t realized that I will always protect my queen.

“Did he say what he wants?” Her voice is devoid of emotion, and I want to rip out Riley’s heart for turning her into this version of herself.

“No. We’re heading there now.”

Another flash of fear. “Madi’s there.” She picks up her pace as she heads for Cian’s truck.

“Moose, Clover, and Pops are with her,” Braxton says.

“And Sage is there with some of his teammates. Madi’s safe.”

Her gaze cuts to mine with harsh lines of anger and vulnerability.

“No one is safe around Riley, Patch.” She steps onto the bumper, then lifts one long leg over the tailgate.

“You’re not sitting back here.” I catch her by her other ankle before she can lift it over the edge.

She kicks me free. “Watch me.”

She doesn’t need a rescue—she needs a life raft.

With a heavy sigh, I haul myself over the tailgate and sit next to her. Braxton follows next, while Elle squishes in between Cian and Wrecks in the front.

“Hang on,” Cian calls over his shoulder. At least he gave Savvy a warning. She adjusts her grip on the edge.

“What do you think he wants?” Her voice is low, sad, despondent. I only hear her because I’ve pressed myself tightly into her side to hold her steady.

“I don’t know, sweetheart. But I can say for sure we’re not going to like whatever it is, but we’ll get through it together.”

I twine my fingers through hers, give them a gentle squeeze, and my chest warms instantly as I stare at our joined palms. This, us, together, is stronger than she knows, and I’ll do everything in my power to prove that to her.

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

SAVVY

We pullup to the Hideaway like the cavalry, but instead of weapons, we have solidarity. It’s a strange thing to face off with Riley with an entire team behind me.

What would it have been like if just one person had been on my side when I was a teenager?

Would it have made a difference?

Would I have still lost everyone I loved?

Would I be who I am today?