Page 62 of Protected By My Playboy Billionaire

“Ethan, I love him!” Elana’s voice slices through the air like a beacon of clarity, her words stopping us both in our tracks.

I freeze, disbelief washing over me as I meet Elana’s gaze.She loves me. Elana’s eyes meet mine in a silent confirmation. The realization hits me like a bolt of lightning. She loves me.

Distracted by her confession, I loosen my hold on Ethan, allowing him to break free and lunge at me with renewed ferocity. Fuck!

“What the fuck did you do to her to make her say this, huh? What did you do to her?” I block his fists with my forearms. His words hurt more than the blows hethrows my way.

But then Elana speaks again, her voice filled with desperation and pleading. “He didn’t force me to do anything,” she insists and rushes to Ethan to pull him back.

I lock eyes with Ethan, who pauses for a moment and looks up at Elana.

“It’s not what you think at all,” she pleads with her hands on his. “Adrian did nothing wrong. Please, just let us explain.”

Adrenaline courses through my veins as Ethan’s gaze shifts between Elana and me, his expression torn between anger and uncertainty. I keep my mouth shut, knowing that whatever I say in this moment will just make matters worse. I brace myself for his next move, prepared for the worst but hoping for a glimmer of understanding.

“Elana, stop defending him.” Ethan’s voice is strained. “I know what I saw.” His head whips back to me. “I saw what you did to her.”

“I would never, ever hurt either of you,” I finally say as I release the hold on Ethan’s wrists. He’s still holding onto the lapels of my blazer, eyes wild with rage.

“What you saw is taken completely out of context, Ethan.” The desperation in Elana’s voice makes Ethan look back at her. “If someone had taken a photo of you calming me down while I cry, it would look the same. That’s what Adrian was doing.”

I hold my breath, waiting for Ethan’s response, my muscles tensed and ready for whatever comes next and my hands prepared to block his. It won’t take much to pin him down again, but it’s like trying to tame a wild beast. Each movement might be the wrong one, and angering him further is not what I aim to do.

“And the video? You were pushing him away. He forced you into the car.”

“That was entirely my fault. I ran out in the rain alone. Carson had been following me, and Adrian came before he could… I was upset, and Adrian was just trying to get me to come back home.”

For a moment, Ethan’s anger wavers, a flicker of doubt crossing his features as he looks back at me.

“I would never hurt her. I would never hurt you,” I repeat, hoping that this time he’ll truly listen.

Then, with a heavy sigh, Ethan releases his hold on me and pushes himself upright. Reliefwashes over me as I rise to my feet. Elana rushes to my side, her hands scanning me for injuries.

“Are you okay?” she asks me as she straightens my blazer before cupping my face with both hands.

“I’m fine.” I nod and squeeze her shoulder. She throws her arms around me, pulling me into a tight embrace. She releases me and turns to Ethan, who’s looking at us, his mind quickly connecting the dots.

“When did this happen?” he asks, his brows furrowing in confusion. “Howdid this happen?” he raises his voice.

Elana’s finger jabs accusingly in his direction. “Don’t you dare raise your voice at him.”

“It’s okay, Elana,” I interject gently, lowering her hand and meeting Ethan’s gaze. “He has a right to be angry.”

“He doesn’t.” She turns to me, then back to Ethan. “You could have called me, asked me, asked Adrian. He’s your best friend. Do you really think he would do something like that to me? To both of us? You should be ashamed of yourself, Ethan. And you’re a fool for ever doubting Adrian. I can’t believe you flew all the way back just to embarrass yourself like this.”

Ethan’s eyes meet mine before going back to Elana’s. I fight the urge to step in, to say what’s on my mind, forcing myself to stay silent. Elana knows what to do. Whatever I say might anger him further.

“You… You love him?” Ethan’s eyes clear up, the rage no longer possessing them.

Elana looks up at me for a moment, and I catch myself holding my breath. Does she?

“I love him.” She looks back at Ethan with determination. “And I know you love him, too. You wouldn’t be this upset if you didn’t. But if you’re planning on throwing another tantrum, I suggest you do it on the plane back to LA because I hate seeing this side of you, and I don’t want to witness it again. Adrian has done nothing but protect me, even when I didn’t know I needed it, even when I pushed him away. That video you saw was me at my lowest, Ethan, and Adrian didn’t leave me. He went out looking for me and put himself in danger because of me, and he’s done it more than once. So, I will not let you blame him for something he didn’t do. Do you understand? Because I love him, and I know you do,too.”

I stare at the woman in front of me, completely dumbfounded. She loves me.

“I—” Ethan rubs his face with both hands, his knuckles raw. “I don’t know what to say.”

“You might want to start by apologizing to your best friend.” Elana lifts her chin.