She seemed a little bit out of it, so I repeated my question. “Annie, answer me. Are you all right?”

Swallowing hard, she finally found her voice. “I’m okay, just a little…surprised. I didn’t expect them to find me so quickly.” She sounded stronger than I expected, and it made me proud.

“Fucking parasites. Come with me. Just stay close, okay?” I said, ducking down to meet her eyes.

She nodded, the fear she’d been holding at bay starting to bleed through. “Okay.”

Taking her hands, I pulled them around me so she was holding onto my waist. Then I placed her firmly under my arm and began leading her through the crowd.

“Back the fuck up,” I warned any pap who dared get too close. They all did as I instructed.

A couple of minutes later, we were at my car, questions still being thrown at us about our relationship, about Annie being The Socialmedialite, about whether or not I knew all along. I reached across her and opened the door, using my body as a shield to keep them at bay as she climbed in. Once I had her secured, it was easier for me to get around to the driver’s side, probably because I had no qualms about pushing and shoving people out of the way.

At one point, a short guy grabbed me aggressively by the shoulder, and I swung around, temper flaring as I gripped his collar with one hand and clenched the other into a fist, ready to punch. When I saw the look of sheer terror on his face, all my anger drained out of me. He was just a person trying to do a job. Yeah, he was a parasite, and he was going about it all the wrong way; but he didn’t deserve a beating. None of these people did. I had zero respect for how they chose to make a living, but I wasn’t going to waste a single ounce of anger on them anymore. It wasn’t worth it.

I was sure there’d be some stories circulating the next day about how I’d manhandled a photographer, but I didn’t care. My goal right now was to get Annie away from here and somewhere safe. They could crucify me all they wanted.

Their shouts were muted only when I climbed in the driver’s side and slammed the door shut. Annie had her phone in her hands, scrolling through her messages. It looked like she was doing it as a means of calming her nerves rather than because she actually needed to check them.

“Joan called and asked me to c-come into the office,” she said, her voice breaking up a little. “I didn’t realize they were all outside until I’d already left, and then they blocked the door so I couldn’t get back in.” The final part was whispered, and something inside me snapped.

“Fuck,” I swore and pulled her into my arms, kissing the top of her head. “That shouldn’t have happened.”

“It’s my own fault,” she muttered, her face pressed into my chest.

“No, it isn’t. Anyone with a shred of human decency should know it’s not right to corner a woman all alone like that. Those pricks could have really hurt you.”

“I’m okay,” she sniffed. “But I think I should maybe take some self-defense classes.”

I laughed lightly and then let out a long sigh. “Look, I’m going to get us away from here. Then we need to talk. If I stay here any longer, there’s a good chance I’ll get out of this car and deck someone.”

Annie only nodded silently in response, and I started the engine. I drove in the direction of Davidson & Croft, stopping a few streets away when I saw a rare parking spot. Once the engine shut off, silence filled the car, and I didn’t know what to say first. I was still trying to find the right words when Annie broke the quiet.

“So, you read my post?” Her voice was so small that I almost didn’t hear her.

I turned my body to face her. “Yeah.”

It was clearly a struggle, but she forced herself to look me in the eye. I was surprised when her voice became demanding, fierce as she prompted, “And?”

“Hilarious, as always,” I answered affectionately, and she frowned, biting her lower lip, looking upset as she glanced out the window.

I heard her mutter, “Crappity, crap, crapper. Fuck a duck and smack a rapper….”

Trying not to laugh, I leaned forward and caught her chin in my hand, bringing her attention back to me. “It was also the bravest, most honest thing I’ve ever read, and I don’t feel worthy of the sacrifice.”

“But I love you,” she said far too loudly for the inside of a car, her eyes big, then rushed to continue, “I wanted to show you I was all in, and I didn’t know how else to do that, to make you believe it. So I gave up my anonymity. There’s no going back now.”

I stared at her for a long time as a smile shaped my lips. “You sound so frightened, love.”

“I am frightened. I’m terrified. But I’m not only frightened. I’m…I’m angry with myself for leaving you in Ireland and not giving you a chance, giving us a chance. You deserved better. We both did. And I’m angry with you for not giving me a chance to explain last night. But I understand why. But I’m still pissed. But I forgive you, and I want you so much. I love you.”

This last bit made me smile like an idiot. “She loves me….”

“Yes. She loves you. And she wants to marry you, and part of her is still afraid you’re going to change your mind—and now I’m talking in the third person because I’ve been going crazy and I haven’t slept in over twenty-four hours.”

“I’m not going to change my mind. That’s not ever going to happen. After that stunt you pulled, you’re stuck with me.”