“That’s exactly who he is. This is a family-owned business and you’ve just happened to cross the wrong gal.” Bella tells him as the elevator doors glide open.
Bella takes a move to step inside and the creep goes to step foot in the same elevator; the idiot he is.
I grab his arm and yank him back from nearing her yet again.
“If I were you, I would take the stairs,” I growl, releasing my grip from his arm.
“Would that be a threat?” He raises his eyebrows, but doesn’t make a move back toward the elevator.
“Take it how you please, you just need to leave my casino, now.” I tell him, ready to fight this fool if I have to.
I can see the alarmed look on Bella’s face; she’s already seen enough for one night.
“Daddy, come on,” she whispers to me. Her voice is so soft that all anger vanishes as I hear her say that word again.
The man throws his arms up, backing away from us.
Good, he’s getting the picture now.
Bella holds the elevator door open, and I go to step inside.
As the doors close, I can now see how glossy her eyes are. She’s been fighting back tears, it’s clear. I wrap an arm around her and pull her closer in as I tightly grip her gift in my other hand.
“It’s going to be okay now, Bella. He’s gone. I’ll be sure of it,” I say to her, feeling how shaky she is.
“I’m just glad you showed up when you did. I can’t even imagine—”
She quickly clears her throat, then wipes her tears away before they have a chance to flow down. She must not want to smudge her makeup or appear weak in front of me, though I could care less. I just want her to be happy. I want her safe. I know she didn’t have what you might call a ‘healthy upbringing’, so I can only begin to imagine what she may have gone through as a child; maybe that’s why I feel so protective over her.
Bella doesn’t have to tell me she’s had it rough in life. I could tell from her actions since the first day we met. She didn’t enjoy my favors for her, and she even flinched any time I tried comforting her when she seemed as if she needed it. I know she’s had a rough patch, but I’m also certain the casino is the safest place for her.
I’ve taken her under my wing since the moment I laid eyes on her, and no one, and I mean no one, will hurt her again if I can fucking help it. No one will make my little girl feel powerless, not under my watch.
Just thinking about overpowering Bella, controlling her every move in the bedroom… my heart pounds as I fight back a moan of pleasure as flashes of her perfect, tight little body riding up and down my cock flips through my mind. The urge to claim her right here in the elevator is taking control.
“No one will ever hurt you on my watch; I’m going to make sure of that,” I whisper and gently place a kiss on her forehead.
4
BELLA
I can’t even explain what happened, but the second the door clicked in place, I break down to tears on the edge of Grant’s bed.
I figured he would just let me get it out on my own, but instead, he sits beside me and brings his arm around my shoulders. I feel safe, loved by him to where my heart aches. My throat stings as I try to hold it back from him.
“I would never let anyone hurt you.” He whispers to me, pulling me in tighter.
“I know,” I say, nodding my head. I know he wouldn’t.
I couldn’t stop thinking about what would’ve happened by the elevator if he hadn’t arrived when he did; I don’t know how far it would’ve gone.
“Did he touch you more than what I happened to see?” Grant asks; the concern in his voice is evident, which just so happens to kind of be turning me on right now, I’ll admit.
“No, no. Nothing more, but the way he was looking at me…” I shake my head while tightly closing my eyes.
“Tell me, Bella. It might help you through this. You know you have me to lean on.” He assures me calmly, making me feel as if I’m truly safe.
“When I was standing there waiting, that man kept smiling at me so I just politely smiled back. The elevator was taking so long.” I whisper.