𝐕𝐄𝐗𝐄𝐃 ❷

𝟏𝟔. ✭ 𝐁𝐑𝐎𝐎𝐊𝐒 ✭

I've been scouting the mountainside for nearly a week now and I have caught sight of Dani every day. She runs like clockwork each day at noon with the same man tagging along behind her. From what I can tell he's a big guy. If Torey, Remy and Ram were the Albanian standard then I would say he's right alongside them in the size and capability departments. Today I will find out just how capable he is.

The plan is that Malyssa, Denver, and Luke, along with Malyssa's German associates, are going to storm the compound while I snatch Dani. The task would be tougher than originally planned as I've scouted several mountainside security outposts. They're scattered throughout and have anywhere between two and ten men depending on their location. The route that Dani takes daily has less but the path out has more. If the men don't scatter to where we'd planned them to we could run into a heap of trouble.

Pulling out my binoculars I spot her at the base of the trail, stretching alongside her constant companion. I'm able to get a better look at him this time around. There's something about him that looks familiar but I can't quite put a finger on it. They begin their ascent, her running in front of him and after a little while I notice him checking out her backside.

I let out a snort. "Get in line, buddy." I murmur to myself and thank all the gods that Torey isn't here. I can just see him and all of his bravado striding down the mountainside not giving a single fuck. I chuckle underneath my breath thinking about it. That still begs the question rolling around in my mind. "Why on Earth would Dedaj assign you to her?" Especially with Dani's history of falling for men that are employed by her father. From what I can tell, the man isn't hard on the eyes and clearly is interested in Dani. Setting him up with her would be the last thing I would think Dedaj would want to do.

I collect my things, putting my binoculars back in my bag before slowly making my way alongside the trail, not wanting to be seen directly on it. I'm a good distance from where Dani usually stops and turns around. I don't want to get too close and alert them of my presence, especially since I don't know this man's level of training. I find a good spot and I wait.

After about a half hour or so I can hear them approaching so I move slowly toward them. They stop and I can't hear what they're saying but it sounds like playful banter. Great. She's made friends with the guy. I let out a sigh and shake my head as I continue my gradual way toward the two of them. Just when I'm about to reach them she begins running back down the hill.

Fuck.

I make myself move faster, not wanting to lose the two of them but also trying to keep hidden. It's a tough go of it through the thick brush. I duck down immediately when the two of them make an abrupt stop. I can see Dani's peripheral and she does not look happy. She looks upset, extremely so. She's asking the man something but I can't hear what. I'm still too far off. She turns away from him, giving me and him her back as she looks off into the distance. He steps up behind her and then flips her around saying something in a passionate manner. She pushes away from him and starts yelling at him. I take the opportunity to move quicker, not needing to be as secretive now that Dani is completely distracting her guard with her outburst.

I'm about to make my presence known when he wraps his arms around her and she fights against him but then... she gives in. He's murmuring into the top of her hair, holding her in a way that reminds me of Torey and, before I can even formulate a proper response, she's hugging him back. He's soothing her in a way that is too close for comfort, fingers gliding down her back, and I know if Torey were here he would flay the flesh from this man's bones.

She pulls away from him and looks up into his eyes. His thumbs wipe away her tears. It's a moment that is intimate. She whispers something to him and he responds with, "I know and as such I am also your protector. Even when that means needing protection from yourself."