Page 139 of In My Heart
My security team had been to France with us too. It consisted of four members - three men and a woman. At first it had been uncomfortable having them trail me everywhere I went, and in the house with me when no one else was home. They worked in two man shifts, and switched out, so there was always two of them with me.
Since I figured out pretty quickly it was impossible to not get along with them when they were basically like my shadows at times, I had eventually found the courage to talk to them, and get to know them enough that I considered them more friends than just protection now.
Al, who was passing bags off to Dante at that moment, was my favourite. He was pretty laid back and relaxed most of the time, so he was the first I got to know, and I always found him easy to chat with. He could be great company when I found myself home alone, but when we left the house, he was all business, and he made me feel safe when he was with me.
I also got on well with Helen, the only female on my team. She was eight years older than me, and had been in the army. She was direct and honest, but easy to talk with if you didn’t mind that, which I didn’t. Recently, when she was on shift while I was home, she had been training with me, teaching me Krav Maga, which she promised me would help me fight bigger opponents. I was happy to take any advantage I could get for when I sparred with my men.
Haz, and Greg, the other two members of my team, were quieter, and largely tried to keep things more professional. They were friendly and polite, but they avoided conversations withme, choosing instead to stay focussed almost to the point of obsession. I understood that, so I didn’t push, and I felt safe with them, which was all that truly mattered.
Mercifully, there had been no trouble or threats since Adamian and Daniel were taken out, but Rafe and my guys had decided my security team were non-negotiable, and to be honest, I was good with that. I was used to my shadows by then, and I’d do whatever I needed to do to ensure no other pieces were taken from me. I’d lost enough.
“No getting lost, love.” Dante appeared before me and pulled me against him until my face was against his hard chest. “The past is over,” he reminded me, the sound rumbling through his chest, just the way I loved.
I looked up at him and smiled. He thought I had zoned out, as I still occasionally did when my thoughts got a grip on me. My guys referred to it as me ‘getting lost’ and they were usually close enough to pull me out of it, just as Dante had then.
“All good,” I assured him, but I couldn’t resist wrapping my arms around him for a quick squeeze.
It had taken time for Dante and I to get to the good place we were in right then. Trust had needed to be built between us again, and in the state I was, after everything that happened, that hadn’t been easy to do, especially with Dante healing. Of course, Dante had been a terrible patient and refused to admit weakness, not allowing his injuries or his weakness to slow him down. He had started his campaign to earn my forgiveness almost right away, buying me gifts and planning dates. I had already forgiven him though, but the time we spent together helped, and we almost started over, except for the fact we were already in love.
In time I found my Dante again, and he won back my unerring trust with his growly protectiveness and his gentle care and love.
At the same time his injuries healed, leaving behind scars that he seemed indifferent to. We worried his torture would have mental effects on him too, but Dante was Dante, and he recovered fast, stating his father had done worse to him, in the ruse of making him strong.
None of us had believed him at first, but Dante remained unchanged by what he had been through mentally. He was who he had always been for the most part – direct, insanely logical, honest, and obsessively protective. In fact, that was the only impact his trauma seemed to have on him – his increased devotion to keeping me safe.
It was the only thing I argued with him over, argued with them all over, in fact. Even with my security team, they were all still loathed to allow me out of the house alone, and it had taken time, some tantrums, and a lot of yelling to get them to see I had to have a life too. I couldn’t be some princess, held in a gilded prison.
In time they had relented, but they still worried an insane amount about me when I was out of their sight, especially Dante, and I often felt him around me, following me when I went to work in the library, or into London to do some shopping, sure he was tailing me, stalking me, keeping me safe in his own possessive way.
“Baby?”
Damn it! I’d got lost in thought again. I looked up and found Dio at my side now too, watching me with concern.
“Sorry. I’m just tired and thinking too much,” I laughed them both off. “I’m alright.”
“She needs to rest. I’m taking her to her room.” I didn’t even have time to argue with Dante before he swept me off of my feet and turned for the stairs.
“Hold on!” Rafe called over the sound of my guys all starting to fuss over me. “I need to show you something before you all rush upstairs.”
“I’m fine, big guy,” I told Dante as I leaned in and kissed his lips gently. “Put me down and hold my hand instead, okay?” I negotiated, wanting to see what Rafe had to show us.
“Cara really should rest. It was an early start this morning,” Cal argued.
“I’m not an invalid!” I laughed. “What is it, Rafe? A surprise?” I asked excitedly, looking to my brother as Dante gave in and set me on my feet, grabbing my hand almost instantly, and holding it tight between us.
“Yes, sweetheart. A good one, I hope,” Rafe answered with an indulgent smile.
“What have you been up to?” Dio asked with a grin.
“Just adjusting to the modern age,” Rafe teased as he headed for the lift, and we all followed.
“Cara doesn’t like the lift,” Dante stated as he paused near the foot of the stairs.
“It’s alright…” I started, but he cut me off.
“No. It makes you anxious. We’ll take the stairs. What floor?”
“Why don’t we all just take the stairs?” Arran suggested and Rafe nodded, then started up the first flight, all of us following again.
