My cheek throbbed dully where I was pretty sure I had scraped it somehow when Maddox had thrown his body over mine. As much as I wished I could stop it, I didn't seem able to stop shaking. I dug my fingers into the puffy material of Maddox's jacket as I buried my face into his chest. I clung to him like our lives depended on it. Unfortunately, they just might.

I was terrified. But I was far more terrified of Maddox being hurt. The gunshots around seemed almost drowned out by the blaring of my pulse in my ears. I could feel the rapid pulse of Maddox's heart and his efforts to breathe normally while he held his gun at the ready.

Feet rapidly trampling bushes and snow surrounded us. I whimpered slightly in fear. My body started to shake harder as I attempted to burrow deeper into Maddox. Maddox's smooth hand cupped my cheek and pulled my gaze to meet his.

"It's alright, Austin," he whispered, placing his forehead on mine and wiping away a tear that trickled down my cheek. "They're on our side."

With a hard kiss on my lips he fiercely said, "I will never let anyone hurt you again. Never."

Oh my God. Swoon worthy moment. If I hadn't been so freaked out and on the borderline of passing out from fear, I might be screaming with joy.

Continuing to drill into my gaze Maddox asked, "You're ok?"

Not trusting my voice not to tremble, I nodded in response, forcing myself to give up the death grip I had on Maddox's arms. I placed my hand over the one on my cheek.

My heart flipped. It couldn't be...could it? It almost looked like love shining in Maddox's eyes. No, no, I must be wrong. Besides, we had bigger fish to fry.

Roland came running around the corner and skidded to a halt. "Boss, everyone over here ok?"

Maddox lifted himself up, bolstering his gun. I had to tense all my muscles to prevent myself from once again attaching myself to him like a leech.

I saw Maddox's perceptive eyes flicker over my hunched form still on the ground. He descended a hand which I happily grasped. Once regaining my feet, I stumbled slightly, but Maddox's hand on the small of my back helped me right myself. My bones only partially felt like jelly now with his anchoring touch.

"Where's the fucker who had the audacity to shoot at me in my own garden?"

Roland tensed his jaw. "We lost his trail."

The temperature seemed to plummet even more as Maddox's nostrils flared. His voice was cold and flat when he spoke. "I want them brought to me. Alive."

Using a slight pressure on my back, I got the message to start moving back towards the mansion. I put one foot in front of the other, only a slight limp slowing me down as I discovered a nasty bruise somewhere around my knee.

Maddox slowed his pace to account for mine. When I looked up to the once again unguarded eyes, I nearly tripped on my own feet at the worry for me in his gaze.

I gulped as I steadied my pace. So this is what it's like to realize you're in love.

..............

I was wringing my hands together as I sat on the edge of Maddox's bed. The insistent man had persuaded me into letting the doctor check me over, and woe and behold, nothing more serious than a few scrapes and bruises. The tremors wracking my body were long gone, but I couldn't help but feel a little shaken up on the inside.

Maddox paced in front of me, the worry lines back around his eyes and lips. I needed his comfort desperately. I needed his control. I needed Maddox. And I knew he needed me.

Letting a shaky breath out, I hopped off the bed. Fisting the sleeve of his shirt in my hand, I stopped his pacing. Maddox turned to face me with a question on his tongue.

But I beat him to the punch. "Please."