Page 9 of Taking His Heart

“I was about to head back to the Royal. I just wanted to make sure you were okay before I left,” I tell him.

“Why?”

“Well, you did jump in front of a bullet for me, CJ. I feel like the least I can do is make sure you’re going to pull through before I leave.”

“Why? You seem to manage to leave me just fine without caring if I’m okay with it. Now isn’t any different, Daniella. You can leave.” CJ’s tone is dismissive.

I do my best to not let the hurt show on my face. I deserve to be hurt by this, because I did this. “I know. Thank you, for what you did. Not many people would jump in front of a bullet for me.”

CJ blinks. “It’s a reflex. I saw a gun and jumped. I would have done it for anyone.”

“I know. But still, I wanted to thank you.” I shrug.

CJ runs a hand through his hair. “You really believe I’d ever let you get hurt, Dani? That I wouldn’t jump in front of a grenade if it meant protecting you?”

A lump forms in my throat. He’s gone from icy-cold back to the CJ I used to know, the one I fell in love with.

“CJ, you can’t say things like that to me,” I whisper. Because when he says things like that, it makes it harder for me to walk away, and I need to walk away.

“Where the fuck is she? Daniella!” My dad’s voice booms through the house.

“Shit.” I flinch. He sounds really pissed.

“You in trouble, Dani? Let me guess, you being out in that tiny little scrap of material wasn’t preapproved by Daddy?”

“Shut up,” I hiss.

I look around. CJ’s right, though. My dad is going to have a coronary when he sees what I’m wearing. I’ve learned over the years it’s just easier to not show him what or how little I wear when I go out.

“Top drawer. I have some shirts in there,” CJ tells me. “I keep shit here for when I stay over.”

I can hear my dad calling out for me again, his voice getting closer. I know I’m an adult. I don’t need anyone’s permission to wear what I want to wear, but some fights just aren’t worth the energy.

Pulling the drawer on the dresser open, I take out a black t-shirt and yank it over my head, bringing the collar to my face and inhaling. It smells like him.

“Did you just sniff my shirt?” CJ asks.

“No. I was wiping my mouth on it,” I lie.

“Sure.”

“Daniella… Fuck…” My dad comes rushing into the room. His arms wrap around me and he pulls me tight against him. “I never want to hear the words gunshots and your name in the same sentence again,” he says against the side of my head. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine. I’m not the one who got shot,” I remind him.

That’s when my dad turns to CJ. “Thank you,” he grunts. “Now, someone better tell me what the fuck you were doing out on the Strip with him.” He points to CJ. “I thought you had a headache and went up to bed, Daniella.”

“I did, and then I wanted to go dancing,” I admit. “I was on my way out and CJ was on the street already.”

“You wanted to go dancing? Alone?”

“Yes. Because I’m a big girl, remember? I can take care of myself,” I tell my dad.

CJ coughs. “And yet here I am, with a bullet wound that would suggest otherwise.”

“I don’t recall asking you.” I glare at him but he’s just smiling back at me. “Dad, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have gone out, but I just wanted to have fun. Can you take me back to the hotel now?” I ask, batting my lashes.

“We’re not going back to the hotel. The Bianchis have offered to host us at their place,” Dad tells me.