chapter 41

Josie POV
Michael screams at the top of his lungs, cradling down on the floor as LAPD scatters around yelling at him to drop down on the floor.

I was forced to be inside and wait until it was clear. My adrenaline surges so fast I almost vomit, I can taste saliva thickening in my throat and beads of sweat trickling down my brow. Looking through the window, I watched Galen helping out an officer, forcing Michael to be inside the vehicle.

The look at Matthiah's face was nothing but anger. He places his gun behind his back pocket and pats Khalid on the back, gesturing to get back inside.

''Everyone should leave now, I would have Khalid contact you all as soon as we get things back to normal. Sorry for the inconvenience, I hope you all have a good week.'' Everyone began to gather their belongings and said their goodbyes to Matthias, leaving towards the front door.

I came around the corner from the living room and met up with him in the kitchen. He was standing there, placing the gun back in the safe and hands it over to Khalid. Matthias took out a bottle of red wine, pouring into the glass.

He heaves a sigh and shakes his head after taking a quick sip of his drink.

He laid his hands lightly on my shoulders. It felt as if I were wrapped in a blanket of his caring. How could I not consider my actions now, now that I could see how profoundly they affected him too.

''Josie,'' he whispers, tugging a string of my hair behind my ear.

''I'm sorry, I--I just didn't....''

''-- Don't say anything. It's fine.''

''No, it's not fine.''

''It will be because you have me. You're my wife Josie, and I want what's best for both of us. What just happened was scary, but the least I can do right now is to protect you, be your provider. I'm not letting anyone hurt you again. You have my word.''

I sighed. "Okay."

"I'll make dinner, I'll call you when I'm ready."

By the time Matthias brought me a plate of food, the room was fell in silence. After eating two helpings, a scoop of potatoes, and some potato salad, and washing it all down with water, I felt almost human again. I hadn't realized I could eat so much; it must have been the long flight and stress. Maybe it was the weather?

"Come and sit down," he said, patting the couch. It looked so inviting that I was drawn to it. After stoking the fire, he turned back to me. I signed to him, "Thank you." His eyebrows shot up and he gave me an "I'm impressed" look.

I saw that grin, and my heart skipped a beat. Seeing his face transform, I quickly lost the uneasy feeling I'd had a minute ago. As I started to relax against the couch, I took a soothing breath and almost melted into the warmth and softness.

He runs his hands on my neck slowly, pulling me closer to his shoulder. Quickly tucking the quilt around my legs, he asked, "Better?" and tried to smile back at me.

''So much better.''

''How are you feeling right now?''

''I honestly don't know, what to feel.''

''Me too,'' he mumbles with a sigh.

''I just want to get away and forget about everything. Just to be with you, somewhere quiet, looking through the ocean, listening to the sound of the waves crashing down, holding your hand and cradling our baby. I don't care where just want to be with you.''

''I will make that happen tomorrow. I promise.''

''But, you have that sponsorship meeting--''

''--I don't care, I'll cancel it. If that's what you want baby then I'll make it happen. Just you and me, no one else."

"No one else?" I questioned, he holds onto my hand and squeezes gently.

"No one else," he whispered.