“I’ll be with you every step of the way,” he promised.

I squeezed his hand. “I know.”

Even if he wasn’t, I could handle it on my own. If I could fight off my kidnapper, I could do anything.

I cuddled into his chest while he spoke to Kade about transportation. They agreed that the King’s Security men would take their vehicle to the office after giving statements to the police while Ronan and Kade would accompany me to the station. I tried to argue that they didn’t both need to come, but they wouldn’t hear of anything else.

Secretly, I liked that. It was nice to have people I could trust at my back.

Detective Lee returned from speaking to the officers and cocked her head. “It seems Petrov has an injury he refuses to speak about. You wouldn’t know anything about that, would you?”

My cheeks heated, and I glanced sideways, noting that both Ronan and Kade were giving me their undivided attention. Since the stab wound was obvious, I assumed she was asking what else I’d done to him. “I punched his balls.”

A booming laugh ripped from Kade’s throat. “Good girl.” His tone was approving. “Maybe you didn’t need us to rush to the rescue after all.”

Detective Lee smirked. “I like you,” she said. “Come on. Let’s go take your statement. I’m sure you want to get home so Ronan can check you over and reassure himself you’re not injured.”

Ronan

When we were finally free to leave the police station and Willow had called Sage to let her know everything was okay, I took her back to my penthouse and we showered together. I soaped up her body, my hands lingering over the bruises on her wrists and tracing the marks on her face. Nobody would have the opportunity to hurt her again. I’d make sure of it. I gestured for her to turn, and when she did, I dropped kisses across the tops of her shoulders and lathered shampoo in her hair.

“I love you,” I murmured, knowing I’d say it whenever I could for the rest of our lives.

“Love you too.”

Despite my protests, she gave my body the same gentle and thorough treatment I’d given hers. Then I turned off the shower and we dried. I handed her a plush robe since her clothing was no longer here and pulled on jeans and a T-shirt.

“Sit down,” I said when we reached the living area. “I’m going to make us a drink.”

I fixed her a cup of hot cocoa with plenty of sugar because her adrenaline was bound to crash soon, and then she’d be exhausted. I made myself a coffee and carried both drinks to the table by the sofa, where I sat and drew her into my arms.

“You were amazing today. It was so brave of you to take on Petrov.”

Foolish, perhaps, but definitely brave.