“Help me?” Billie murmured.
Eli slowly unzipped Billie’s long boots, and he stepped out of them. Then he undid his jacket and kilt, throwing them on the floor. He picked Billie up and carried him to his bedroom.
“Don’t go,” Billie murmured as Eli moved away.
“I’m just getting undressed and using the bathroom. I’ll be right back.”
Once Eli was done, he checked the locks again and got under the covers. He pulled Billie into his arms. His man was ice cold and shivering, so he rubbed his back.
“It’s all over. Everything is fine,” he repeated.
“How come you’re not in shock? Wait, is this common? How many times have you been hurt on the job?”
“I’ve dealt with a few scenarios. Remember Grey and Cal’s fake wedding? I got tasered. Hoping that never happens again. But getting assaulted is rare, and I don’t plan on being a bodyguard forever, remember?”
“Good,” Billie mumbled as he held on tighter. “Because I don’t want to see my boyfriend get hurt. I almost had a heart attack back there.”
“You’re my boyfriend?” Eli smiled and looked down into Billie’s gorgeous green eyes.
“That’s what you’re focused on? Vicks had a knife! He could have… He could have…”
Billie began to hyperventilate, and Eli rubbed his back.
“Focus on me. Breathe in, breathe out. Slowly. In andout,” Eli instructed. “Are you sure you don’t want me to take you to the hospital?”
“No, I just want to stay here with you. Keep talking to me.”
Eli happily did so and soon Billie’s breathing normalized.
“I’m trained to deal with situations like that, and I would have disabled him. But you came up and Charlie’s Angel’d him with that kick in the face, so there was no need.”
Billie tentatively smiled and then snuggled closer, resting a hand over Eli’s heart. “I would do it again. I would fight to protect you because … because I’m in love with you. I know you’re bigger and stronger than me, but I fight to protect what’s mine.”
Eli’s chest tightened, and he placed his hand gently over Billie’s. “I’m in love with you, too, sweetheart. And you can protect me anytime you want.” Eli barely got the words out, his voice choked with emotion.
He leaned in and gave Billie a soft kiss full of promise. Billie’s sigh was all he needed to hear.
****
Billie
Billie heard a buzzing sound. It kept repeating in his ear until he finally opened his eyes and looked around. His phone lay beside him and was vibrating with notifications. Where was Eli? Billie could’ve sworn he slept beside him last night. Maybe it was a dream? Then he thought back to the party, and everything came rushing back to his memory. Oh, fuck. That wasn’t a dream. More like a nightmare. But a nightmare that was thankfully over.
Sitting up in bed, he picked up his phone, noting that it was just past 10 AM. He perused his messages. One from Mason telling him that Vicks had been arrested and asking how he was doing, another from Dax asking if he was okay and could he stopby today. His cousin Oliver also texted to see how he was doing and if he needed company. His eyes welled up with gratitude for his amazing family and friends.
Then the bedroom door opened, and he jumped.
“Just me, sweetheart. I’ve brought you breakfast,” Eli said as he wandered in and placed a tray on the table in the far corner. Billie took in the sight of his ripped boyfriend dressed only in tight black briefs. Talk about a beautiful distraction.
“You all right? Do you need me to take you to the hospital or call your doctor?” Eli asked as he sat down on the bed beside him, his big brown eyes swirling with concern.
“I’m fine, love. I just got overwhelmed by the sight of you walking into my bedroom.”
Eli leaned over and gave him a quick kiss. “Flirt. Have something to eat. You’ll feel better.”
“You know what would really make me feel better?” Billie whispered and leaned in closer.
“Not yet. Food first.” Eli pointed to the tray filled with eggs, toast, juice, and a small pot.