a rare book dealer and the head of the Black Fox gang.”
“Antiquarian.” Ace snapped his fingers. “That relates to rare and antique books.”
“And I assume he restores the old book leather with chemicals,” Vander said. “Like the chemical we found on the notes.”
Sofie gripped Rome. “He was Tori’s boyfriend. He ordered her attack and stalked me.”
“He’ll get everything he deserves,” Vander drawled.
Rome saw the bruising starting on Sofie’s neck. He touched the marks gently. “I could just kill him right now.”
Stalder froze. Rage welled in Rome and he glared at the man, imagining his revenge.
“Hey.” Sofie’s face filled his view. “No grisly murders today.”
His rage softened as he took her in. She was so damn resilient.
Then she lifted her hand, and blinked at the blood on her fingers. Her eyes widened. “Rome?”
“He cut me a little. It’s fine.”
“You’re bleeding! We need a doctor, a hospital—” She scrambled up.
Rome rose and swept her into his arms.
“You can’t carry me, you’re hurt—”
“Like hell. I’m carrying you out of here and not letting you go. Ever.”
Her lips parted, her eyes swimming with emotion.
“You need the hospital,” he said.
“No.” She shook her head. “There will be people and reporters.” Then she winced and touched her neck.
“Yes,” he said.
“No. Get Ryder to come to the house. I want him to look at that cut of yours.” She was using her princess voice.
“Anything else, Your Highness?”
“I want a hot bath, and for you to never let me go.”
He hitched her higher. “That I can do.”
Norcross Security whisked them out of the gala without stopping to talk to the curious onlookers or the gathering reporters outside.
Rome knew that Gia and the rest of the women would want to see Sofie, but getting her safe and checked over were the most important things.
As they were leaving, he caught Easton’s gaze. “Can you get my mom and sister home?”
The oldest Norcross brother nodded. “Count on it.”
“Wait!” Sofie cried. “I completely forgot about the Sapphire Wave tiara. I hid it.”
The men all paused.
“You forgot about the million-dollar, historic tiara?” Rome said.
Her cheeks heated. “I was kind of busy.”
Vander shook his head, a faint smile curving his lips. “Tell me where it is. I’ll get it.”
Sofie told him, then Rome slid into the back of the X6 and settled her in his lap.
She snuggled into him. “Right here.”
He pressed his cheek to the top of her head. “Right here what?”
“This is where I feel safest. Where I belong.”
He tightened his hold on her, realizing that it was nowhere near as tight as the hold this woman had on his heart.
Sofie sat still as Ryder lifted the ice pack off her neck.
“Well, that lovely skin will have some ugly bruises for a bit.” The paramedic glanced at Rome. “You beat the asshole up?”
“Vander did,” Rome replied.
Rome had shed his jacket and was standing in his bloodstained shirt. She’d watched Ryder clean and bandage the cut on his arm, which thankfully had been shallow.
She hated seeing the blood on his shirt.
“Sofie, take some painkillers before bed.” Ryder closed his black bag. “But you’re lucky. There’s no other permanent damage to your neck or voice box.”
Tonight the paramedic was wearing dark blue scrubs, with his muscular, tattooed arms on display. He’d come from the clinic where he donated his time.
“Thank you, Ryder.”
“Don’t mention it.” He shook Rome’s hand. “You both take it easy. You’ve earned it.”
Sofie watched Rome show the paramedic out. When he returned, he scooped her off the stool.
“Rome, I can walk.”
“Don’t care. I’m carrying you.”
He headed up the stairs and straight to her bathroom. When he stepped inside, she gasped.
“This is what you were doing when you disappeared earlier.”
He set her down and she took in all the candles dotted around and the tub filled with warm, fragrant water.
His big hands reached for the zipper of her dress.
“Let’s get you in.” He pulled the dress off her, then she felt him stiffen. “Hell, Sofie.”
She looked into the mirror. He was standing behind her, the candlelight flickering on his dark skin. She was wearing a tiny whisper of lace that cupped her breasts and gossamer panties in sapphire blue. He didn’t seem to see her scrapes and bruises.
He ran a hand down her arm and she shivered.
“There it is.” He dropped a kiss to her shoulder.
Oh. She was so turned on. Her muscles felt liquid, and she was slick between her thighs.
“I could have lost you today,” he murmured.
“No. I told Lorenz that I’d fight with everything I had. I have so