Chapter 12
Kane
Duck, Jasmine…No,” I roar, almost launching myself out of the window after her.
My muscles tense, as I watch her peering up at me with pure fear in her eyes. She is climbing warily down the side of the house with barely anything to hold onto. My heart leaps into my throat, as she fumbles slightly, teetering on the edge of falling.
The thoughts bombarding my mind all at once make it impossible to think straight. She’s going to fucking die trying to climb down this building, and there’s only one way I can think of to save her.
I stalk back into the bedroom, rip the bedding off the bed and grab the mattress, forcing it out of the small doorway with me. I’m on a damn mission, as I storm through the hallway with it. I’m not thinking of anything but Jasmine’s safety, I throw the mattress down the stairs into the hallway and rush down after it.
The blood pulsing in my ears is all I can hear, as the guard’s rush toward it, staring up at me like I’ve gone mad. I run down the stairs in my boxer briefs. “Out of my fucking way,” I roar, picking the mattress up. “Someone open the door.”
One of the guards yanks the door open for me. I force it through the gap and rush around the side of the building, praying that she’s still clinging onto the side and not splattered all over our terrace. The mere thought scares me more than anything has in years.
The moment I see her there climbing down the wall slowly, my heart beat evens slightly. “Jasmine, you’re going to fall to your death,” I call up, positioning the thick mattress below her and praying to God it will be
enough to save her if she falls. She’s about half-way down now, ten meters in the air.
I’m itching to climb up and grab her, but I know it won’t help. All I can do is wait for her to climb down or fall-the thought makes me sick to my stomach. A few of the guards come rushing around the corner.
“Boss, what do you need us to do?”
I glance at them, realizing if I show any mercy to Jasmine for her attempt to flee, I’m going to look weak. “Let me handle this and go back inside,” I growl, trying to contain control of the fear spiking through me.
The guys look at me like I’ve lost the plot, none of them moving. My jaw clenches. “I said, go back inside.”
Their eyes flood with fear at my tone and they turn around to head back into the house. My attention returns to Jasmine who is still on the side of the building, illuminated by the moonlight and the low lights around the house. She’s like a perfect statue, frozen to the side of the wall and no longer moving downward.
“Jasmine, what are you doing?” I shout.
She shakes her head slowly. “I can’t come down, you will kill me,” she says quietly, but loud enough for me to hear. Then, she starts fucking sobbing. It is the last thing she should be doing, crying on the side of a damn building still ten meters in the air.
The mere fact she thinks I’d ever harm a hair on her head makes me angry. I’ve sent my men away because I can’t let them see me doting over her. Which is exactly what I intend to do once I get her back down and into my arms. This makes me want to wrap her up in cotton wool and hold her tightly, never letting her leave my side again.
“That couldn’t be further from the truth, sweetheart,” I call up, trying to keep my voice soft and light. “I’d never hurt you.”
I can make out her shaking her head. “That’s not true,” she spits, glaring down at me. “I know what you’re capable of.”
My fists ball as I glare up at her. “If I wanted to kill you, why the fuck have I bought my mattress down here in case you fall?”
There’s a long drawn out silence, thankfully her sobbing has stopped. What the hell was her plan? Escape me and try and fight her way through the dozens of guards at the gate. Where would she have gone?
Jasmine knows what we’re capable of and that no one runs from a Romano, not if they want to live. The crazy thing is, I couldn’t order her
death no matter what she did. I’m pretty sure she could stab me with a knife, and I’d still want to protect her. She has imprinted on me in a way no other woman ever has-it’s primal and desperate.
“Are you going to make me climb the wall to come and get you?” I shout up, breaking the silence.
There’s a quiet mumble that I can’t quite make out. Then, I see her begin to move down again, carefully trying to grip onto the stones protruding from the wall. It’s nerve-wracking, watching her. I can’t remember I time I’ve felt so scared.Exclusive content from NôvelDrama.Org.
As she edges further down the wall, I move closer, ready to catch her if I have to. A yelp sends my heart accelerating as she slips and jolts, almost falling entirely but managing to hold on with one hand.
“Shit, Jasmine, hold on.” I’ve got no fucking choice. She’s going to fall and allthough it’s only eight meters, I’ve witnessed how even small falls can prove fatal. I grab hold of a stone on the wall and climb it quickly, working on pure adrenaline and a desperate need to save my woman-my Jasmine.
I move fast and stead, putting my rusty rock climbing skills from when I was a kid into practice. Jasmine is still holding on, whimpering as I get closer.
“Jasmine, hook your free arm around my neck,” I say.
Her bright blue eyes glisten with tears in the moonlight, as she stares down at me. She looks unbelievably beautiful even when she’s terrified.
“Sweetheart, do it now, I’m trying to help you.” After a few more beats, she wraps her arms around my neck and I feel a flood of relief as I take her weight. “You’re going to have to hold on tight to my back, and I’m going to climb down.”
She gives me a weak nod, sinking her teeth into her bottom lip. Both her arms wrap around my neck, and I take all her weight. “You’re going to have to help me, plant your foot on anything you can as we move.”
She doesn’t say a word, clinging onto me tightly and finding a foothold on the stone wall. Slowly, we move together in silence, finding our way to safety. The pain ripping through my muscles is unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. I may have underestimated the strain of climbing with another person’s weight. Every muscle in my body is under intense strain holding both of our weights, as the stone bites into my hands.
With a deep grunt, I block the pain out of my mind, ignoring it. When we touch down onto the soft mattress, I twist around and grab her, collapsing onto the mattress. I pull her close to me and hold her tight. My breathing is heavy and deep and my hands are cut and sore, but I don’t care about anything. Jasmine is safe and in my arms, as I stare up at the twinkling stars above us.
I’m not sure what I’m supposed to say, as my heart races beneath her head. She can no doubt feel it beating hard and fast.
A shiver runs through her as she trembles in my arms, keeping her eyes shut tightly.
“You scared me half to death,” I gasp, running a hand gently over her hair.
Her eyes open wide and she stares right at me, surprise painted over her features. “Scared you?”
It’s ridiculous how confused she looks, but she has no idea how I feel about her. Possessive and protective are two words that spring to mind. We rest there for a while in total silence, as she gazes up at the stars too.
“They are so beautiful tonight, aren’t they?” I mutter, leaning closer to her ear.
She nods, keeping her eyes fixed on the sky while I watch her. The stars are beautiful, but not as beautiful as the girl in my arms.
“Not half as beautiful as you, though,” I mutter, kissing her cheek softly.
She shudders, confusion clear in her eyes. “Aren’t you going to punish me?”
I smirk at the thought. “Hmm, I would like to give you a good spanking,” I growl, gently tapping her ass in a way that makes her gasp.
Her lips part and her cheeks flush, making my cock hard. “Come on, let’s get you back inside. You’re freezing.”
She nods as I lift her to her feet, keeping my hand on her back. I grab the mattress in one arm, and keep one arm on her back. We walk slowly into the hallway, watched by the guards intently. No doubt, they are wondering why I’m not punishing her, but I can’t.
This woman is changing me, and I’m not sure it’s a good thing. Only time will tell.