Page 51 of Love’s Strongest Soldier

“The bodyguard that loves you?”

“My bodyguard talks too damn much.”

“You love that too.”

I shook my head, smiling as we approached his truck. He hit the unlock button. The lights flashed. I reached for the passenger door when he stopped walking. It was subtle. He was probably about to go off on me for opening my own door like always.

One second, he was smiling at me. The next, every trace of amusement disappeared from his face. His fingers tightened around mine.

“Ghost?”

He didn’t answer. His gaze shifted toward the garage entrance. I followed it. A black SUV was rolling down the ramp. Its headlights were off. Something cold settled in my stomach.

“Babe?”

Ghost turned toward me. His hands moved. “Get down.”

I frowned.

“What?”

His expression hardened. “Now!”

The SUV accelerated. Everything happened at once. The passenger window dropped. Ghost’s eyes widened. And then . . . there was a flash. A violent jerk of his body. His hands slammed against my shoulders. I stumbled backward. The first gunshot cracked through the garage. I didn’t hear it. I felt it. A vibration so violent it seemed to travel through the concrete beneath my feet.

Ghost threw himself over me. His body collided with mine, sending us crashing against the side of his truck. Another flash. Another violent impact. His arms tightened around me. I saw his mouth moving.

“Down!”

He shoved me toward the ground and covered me with his body. His chest pressed against my back. His hand cradled my head, shielding it from the concrete. The truck’s window shattered above us. Glass rained down.

I squeezed my eyes shut. Ghost jerked. I tried to turn beneath him.

“Ghost?”

He didn’t move.

“Babe?”

His hand was still wrapped around the back of my head. I reached up and grabbed his wrist.

“Ghost, look at me!”

His grip loosened. The SUV sped past us. Tires screeched against the concrete, then it was gone. My entire world went with it.

For a second, I couldn’t move. Ghost was lying halfway across me. His breathing was harsh against my neck. I twisted beneath him, trying to see his face.

“Babe?”

He lifted his head just enough. His eyes found mine.

“You okay?”

I nodded frantically. I was more worried about him than myself.

“Yes. Yes, I’m okay. Get up, babe.”

He lifted but his body fell back on top of me. My heart stopped.