Total pages in book: 121
Estimated words: 122550 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 613(@200wpm)___ 490(@250wpm)___ 409(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 122550 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 613(@200wpm)___ 490(@250wpm)___ 409(@300wpm)
Dan was sitting in the chair on the other side of Scott, staring at him intently.
Mrs. Yards had been admitted due to high blood pressure and the scare she’d had.
Regent had spun some story about a home invasion to the cops. She followed what he’d told her to say. And she guessed the others had too because the police hadn’t stuck around long.
“I need to stay,” she said.
“No, baby. You need some rest. You’ve been here for hours.”
“It’s my fault . . . it’s my fault he’s hurt, and Mrs. Yards and Dan are traumatized.”
Regent cupped her face with one hand. “It is not your fault. If anything, it’s mine. He was after me and he used you to get to me.”
“But you didn’t even want me to go today, and now I know why. I insisted!”
“Baby, you had three guards. It should have been safe. I wouldn’t have let you go if I had known he knew about you. This is on me.”
And now two of those guards were dead. She felt terrible.
“The two of you need to stop the blame game,” Dan said tiredly. “It’s all that asshole’s fault. Neither of you are to blame for what he did.”
“I’m so sorry,” she said, tears dripping down her face.
Regent stood and picked her up in his arms. Dan smiled sadly and shook his head. “Don’t. It’s not your fault and Scott wouldn’t want you to blame yourself either. Don’t give that asshole any more of your time or happiness.”
She nodded. But she was still crying as Regent carried her out of the hospital and down to the waiting car.
Instead of putting her in her own seat, he held her on his lap the whole way home.
When they got home, he did everything for her. He undressed and took her into the shower with him to wash her. He even washed her hair.
After she was dried and dressed in pajamas, he sat before placing her in front of him on the bed so he could brush her hair and braid it.
“I was so scared.”
He paused, then finished doing her hair before turning her toward him. He drew her in under the covers, holding her against him.
“I know, baby. So was I. Fuck, when I couldn’t reach you or Henri, I almost lost it. I was getting ready to head to your house when I got your text. I am so sorry that happened.”
She heard the guilt in his voice. “It’s not your fault. And I guess it’s not mine either. But I would really like it if nothing like that happened again.”
He kissed the top of her head. “I want to promise nothing scary will ever happen again, but I don’t know that I can. However, I do promise I will always protect you. I will always come for you. And I will always love you.”
She clasped him close. “You were always my dream man, Regent Malone. My hero who got me through some dark times. I’ve loved you since I was sixteen when I knew you would be mine. My hero. My man. My king.”
EPILOGUE
Twelve months later . . .
Jilly stepped up to the double doors and peered outside.
Guests were taking their seats in the white chairs. The chairs were separated into two sides, creating a wide aisle in between.
Everything just looked so beautiful. It was the most magical of days. The flowers were blooming, the sun was shining, and the day was still and clear.
Then again, it could have been dark and storming, and she still would have thought that today was the most wonderful day.
Because today she got to marry her hero.
The ruthless king of New Orleans.
Lord, how her life had changed. And all for the better. She’d finally found a good man. A man who loved her. Who wouldn’t harm or abandon her.
Her man.
Instead of holding her down, he lifted her up. Supported her. Her first book had been published three months ago, and it had been a huge hit, which had shocked her.
Regent hadn’t been surprised, though. He’d told her that he’d always believed in her. That he always would.
Because of him, Jilly now felt like she could be herself. That she knew who that was.
Because she knew that no matter what, he would be there for her.
“Ready?”
She glanced over as Scott walked toward her. His recovery had been long and hard.
But you wouldn’t know it now. He looked healthy and tanned. Regent had paid for Scott and Dan to go on a long cruise in the Caribbean. Mrs. Yards had gone along too.
Henri had survived as well and was still her bodyguard.
Jilly’s mom and her now husband, Frank, were sitting up in the front with Dan and Mrs. Yards. Anne had understood when she’d told her that she wanted Scott to give her away.
He’d protected her. Been there for her.