“I’m afraid that’s not going to be enough. Dima already sees you as his.”
She pulls away from me and gives me a stubborn look. “I belong to no one.”
I have to bite back the words that she belongs to me. Because the more time I spend with her, the more I feel the truth in that.
“I wish that was enough, but in Dima’s world things don’t work that way. Women have little to no choice in marriage or anything else for that matter.”
“What am I going to do?” she asks, looking lost and scared.
“I’m here to keep you safe. You don’t have to worry about Dima as long as I’m here.” I tuck a stray strand of hair behind her ear and run my fingertips lightly over the side of her neck. I watch as goosebumps pebble on her flesh from my touch. I want to see what other touches she will respond to but now isn’t the time.
Right now she needs me to be strong for her. To protect her and keep her safe in both body and mind. Everything that Sokolov threatens is mine to protect. Charity won’t come to harm as long as I’m here.
I just have to make sure I’m here to protect her.
“I’m okay,” she says bravely. “We should get going. We’ll be late.”
CHAPTEREIGHTEEN
Charity
We’rein the car on the way to practice. I’m distracted by what Jasper told me about Dima Sokolov. His words play through my head over and over. My dad sold me to a mobster to pay his gambling debts. How is this even happening? It’s like I’m living in some kind of fictional story right now. People don’t just trade their daughters to bad guys to pay off debts.
It’s insanity.
I don’t want to admit it, but I’m worried that having Jasper around won’t be enough if Dima Sokolov is as dangerous as he says he is.
Am I putting Jasper in danger?
Of course I am. How could I not be if this man is determined to make me his wife? Bad men don’t just nicely ask bodyguards to give up their charges.
“What’s on your mind, sweetheart?”
“Are you in danger?”
He wraps one hand around the back of my neck, the other still on the steering wheel. He gives me a comforting squeeze.
“Don’t worry about me. I can take care of myself.”
“I would feel awful if something happens to you.”
“Nothing is going to happen.” He says it trying to be reassuring, but I’m not reassured. Not at all.
“You don’t know that,” I argue.
“I can handle anything that asshole throws my way.”
He’s so fervent that I can’t help but believe him. I trust him with my safety… I’ve trusted him with my body, and I’m starting to wonder if I’ve given him my heart to protect too.
Nowthatis scary.
What if he doesn’t want me?
God, if these feelings are a one-way street, I’d die of embarrassment.
We get to the school and my focus turns to my team. Though with Jasper lingering on the sidelines, watching my every move, it’s hard to not get distracted. He’s a powerful presence behind me and I can’t help the urge to look back at him repeatedly. Every time he gives me a disarming smile that causes my cheeks to flush with a blush.
This attraction between us better not be one-sided because I just wouldn’t be able to stand it if this man gets away from me.