Page 39 of Protecting What's Mine
But my relief is short-lived.
As we walk along the path back to the safe house, I glance over my shoulder and freeze. The guys are following us.
“Ranger,” I whisper, my voice tight with panic.
“I know they’re there,” he says, always aware. He looks bigger somehow, more imposing, like a man who’s ready for a fight.
“I wish they’d leave us alone.”
“Stay close to me,” Ranger says firmly, his hand brushing against my back as he positions himself slightly behind me.
We keep walking, but the guys don’t stop. They keep a few paces behind us, laughing and talking loudly, their presence impossible to ignore. My heart pounds, the fear creeping up my spine like icy fingers.
Finally, Ranger stops and turns to face them, his body a wall of calm, controlled strength. “Is there a reason you’re following us?” he asks, his voice low and steady, but there’s an edge to it that sends chills through me.
The guys hesitate, their bravado faltering under Ranger’s glare. Tank Top, the loudest of the group, steps forward, his handsraised defensively. “Hey, man, we’re just walking. No harm, no foul.”
“You’ve been staring at her since we walked into the diner,” Ranger says, his tone sharper now. “And now you’re following us. That doesn’t look like ‘just walking’ to me.”
Tank Top glances back at his friends, clearly unsure of what to do. “We weren’t gonna do anything, all right? Just messing around.”
“Don’t,” Ranger says, his voice dropping to a dangerous level. “Don’t mess with her. Don’t follow her. Don’t even look at her again.”
The air is thick with tension, and for a moment, I think Tank Top might say something stupid. But then Ranger takes a small step forward, and his sheer presence alone seems to be enough.
“Got it,” Tank Top mutters, backing up quickly. “We’re leaving.”
The group stumbles away, their earlier arrogance replaced with nervous energy. I let out a shaky breath, my heart still pounding as Ranger snaps a picture of them with his phone. He turns back to me.
“You okay?” he asks, his dark eyes scanning my face.
I nod, my voice caught in my throat.
“Good,” he says, his voice softening. “Let’s get you home.”
We walk the rest of the way in silence, his hand resting lightly on my back the entire time. When we step inside the safe house, I finally let out the breath I didn’t realize I was holding.
Ranger turns to face me, his expression serious but calm. “You don’t have to be scared, Tory. I won’t let anything happen to you.”
“I know,” I whisper, my voice trembling. “But it’s still scary.”
He steps closer, his hands resting gently on my shoulders. “Listen to me,” he says, his dark eyes locking onto mine. “I willalwayskeep you safe. Always.”
His words are a promise, and for the first time since the diner, I feel the tension in my chest begin to ease. I trust him. Completely.
“Thank you,” I whisper, my voice barely audible.
He smiles faintly, brushing a strand of hair from my face. “You don’t have to thank me, Tory. Keeping you safe isn’t just my job—it’s what I want to do.”
And in that moment, I know that no matter what happens, Ranger will always be there for me. And somehow, that makes everything else feel a little less terrifying.
Chapter 19
Ranger
Once we’re back at the house, Tory heads straight for the living room, clutching her book like it’s a lifeline. She offers me a soft smile before settling into the corner of the couch, tucking her legs underneath her. I know she’s trying to seem calm, but the tension in her shoulders tells me otherwise.
I head to the small office in the back of the house, shutting the door behind me before pulling out my phone. My jaw tightens as I open the photos I snapped earlier—the guys from the diner, their faces clear in the frame. Tank Top and his buddies might’ve acted harmless, but I don’t trust them as far as I can throw them.