Page 59 of Loving Her Enemy

Like them, this was her life now. She could either embrace the idea of having personal security or walk away from the life she and Sloane were building.

Sloane moved the tray and pulled her into his arms, careful of her wound when he kissed the side of her head. “I’m not trying to scare you, but this is your reality now. And I need you to understand how much you mean to me.”

He gently touched the side of her face, forcing her to look at him.

“There is nothing I wouldn’t do for you, even kill a motherfucker if they ever tried to take you from me. I love you more than I love any other human being on this earth, and I would fight like hell for you.”

Wow. That was deep, and Halayna wasn’t sure how to feel about his declaration, especially the killing part. She believed him, though. Sloane might be tender with her, but she was sure that behavior didn’t extend to many. No way he was as successful as he was by being a punk.

Halayna searched his face, noting the seriousness in his eyes and the hard set of his jaw. She cupped his cheek and rubbed her thumb over the light scruff on his face.

“I love you so much, and I understand what you’re saying. I’d like a male and a female on my detail, depending on where I’m going or what I’m doing, but as of right now, I’m never leaving home.”

He shook his head and chuckled. “Okay, I’ll take that as a win for now, and in a few days, we’ll circle back to the part about you never leaving home.”

Standing near the bar in his office, Sloane poured himself two fingers of his favorite bourbon while he waited for Halayna to finish getting dressed. The last couple of weeks had been busy with everything but work, but he had no complaints. He’d been spending much of his time catering to his wife and making sure everyone involved in the mall incident was handled.

Halayna had physically recovered and was even able to stop wearing her hand brace. But she’d been having nightmares. Sloane was glad they weren’t every day, but having her waking up screaming, for any reason other than him giving her an orgasm, pissed him the hell off. But it did give him some satisfaction knowing he’d been able to deal with those involved. Including Marcella.

Her business was already feeling the effects of his wrath, and if her phone call to him the other day was any indication, she now understood the influence he had on those in their circle. She’d been blacklisted around town, and by the time he was done with her, that would spread throughout the country.

As for her friend Clint, along with the reporter, her cameraman, and the influencer who’d been at the store, Sloane’s legal team were handling them. Instead of suing the reporters and the cameraman directly, the team was going after the news outlet they worked for.

The lawsuits probably wouldn’t have much merit, but Sloane got pleasure in knowing the companies would be buried in legal fees to the point of possibly going out of business. That also went for the influencer. Hopefully, these measures would make them all think twice on how they went about getting a story and social media content at the risk of someone’s safety.

The store wasn’t totally off the hook either. After talking with the owner personally and expressing his displeasure in how they handled the situation, the owner agreed to some changes. Though they had called mall security, they hadn’t done enough to protect Halayna.

He took into consideration the store was newly opened, which meant important protocols hadn’t been put in place yet. Since the owner agreed her staff would get better training and the store was hiring armed security, he wouldn’t sue. Considering the store catered to an affluent clientele, who expected a certain type of shopping experience with the high price tags, she should’ve done all this in the first place.

Sloane sipped his drink and sat at his desk. He had also learned that his mother had no idea Marcella’s friend was a reporter nor had she known what Marcella had planned. Sloane believed her. His mom had even apologized to him for her behavior during family dinner, claiming she was out of line. However, she ruined the moment when she kept talking. Stating that though Halayna was a lovely girl, Sloane could’ve done better with his choice of a mate.

Sloane shook his head. At least she’s consistent.

Now, the only thing left unresolved was Owen and the secret Sloane was keeping. Sloane had underestimated the man. Three days ago, he got word that Owen had slipped from the men who Sloane had watching him.

Sloane prided himself on hiring the best people money could buy. Yet, Owen had not only been hard to find, but he had also disappeared like a damn ghost. This morning, one of his aliases was used in Tijuana, Mexico, and according to Van, none of the others had been used since they’d found him in New Mexico.

The man was slick. Sloane would give him that. He didn’t think Owen had left the country, but even if he had, they would find him. That was assuming law enforcement didn’t get to him first. Either way, finding him was no longer Sloane’s top priority because, tonight, he planned to tell Halayna everything.

Chapter Twenty-Six

“Sloane? Honey, where are you? Are you ready?” Halayna called out.

“Be right there,” he said and downed the rest of his drink before heading to the foyer, and there she was. The most beautiful woman in the world, and she was all his.

He kissed her shiny lips. “You look incredible, and you smell good enough to eat.”

“Thank you. I have a hot date tonight with my husband, and he insists on getting me out of the house.”

It was good to see her smiling again, and she really did look amazing in the short black body-hugging dress that stopped just above her knees. Like usual, her shoe game was on point, and the pair she had on tonight had gem-studded straps around the ankles. Which matched her silver jewelry, including the locket holding her parents’ photos.

“So where are we going?” she asked as they left the house.

“It’s a surprise.” Was all he said, but Sloane was confident they were going to have a good time tonight.

A short while later, they sat outside of a small restaurant, one of Sloane’s favorite hideaways. He often ate there, knowing he’d not only get a delicious meal and great service, but usually he could go there without being recognized. And if he was, people rarely approached him.

Once Quiana and Jamison, Halayna’s security, did a sweep of the inside of the building, they returned to the Range Rover and opened the back doors. Hershel had trailed them there in another vehicle, just to add a little more protection. The plan was for him to be the only one who’d join them inside of the restaurant, while the others would wait in the Rover.