Wilder In Love (Four Kings Security Universe Novellas)

Chapter 1

CHAPTER ONE

“Are you sure you want to do this?” Gio called out from the bathroom. He finished drying off and wrapped the towel around his waist. Stepping into their bedroom, his heart skipped a beat, and he leaned against the doorframe, admiring his gorgeous man.

“My answer hasn’t changed from the last six times you asked that question,” Sacha said, glaring at his tuxedo bow tie in the mirror as he tried to straighten it.

Well, maybe less glaring and more trying to set it on fire with his mind.

“I think mine’s broken.” He turned, and Gio couldn’t help but smile softly. Sacha had no idea how sweet he was.

“Let me.” Gio walked up to Sacha, laughing when his boyfriend’s expression turned suspicious.

“What’s that smile for?”

“How do you always manage to steal my breath away?” Gio undid Sacha’s bow tie and retied it. “There.”

“You’re just trying to get in my pants,” Sacha teased, slipping his arms around Gio’s waist. “Speaking of pants…I noticed you’re not wearing any.”

Gio hummed and wrapped his arms around Sacha’s neck. “I wasn’t wearing any when I invited you into the shower with me.” He sighed dramatically. “Alas, my offer was turned down.”

“Because showering with you always leads to sexy times, and there’s not enough time for me to make a mess out of you.”

Gio groaned. “You’re evil.”

Sacha shrugged. “It’s a gift.”

“I see.” Gio turned and walked away, pulling off his towel and tossing it aside.

“Oh! You shit. Now who’s evil?”

Gio laughed and stepped into the spacious walk-in closet to get dressed. Part of him was excited to have Sacha with him, walking him down the red carpet, but he never wanted Sacha to feel uncomfortable.

Tonight’s charity gala was one of the year’s biggest, a red-carpet event with everyone from CEOs to Hollywood stars flying in.

The entire event was televised, with several major names performing throughout the night.

It wasn’t so much the event itself that Sacha didn’t like—after all, he often worked large-scale events for the Kings—it was the attention focused on him when he was there as Gio’s boyfriend, rather than as security, that Sacha wasn’t too happy about.

When Sacha saw the invitation and realized the Kings weren’t providing security for the event, he decided to accompany Gio as his plus one.

Sacha had suggested bringing extra protection, but it wasn’t necessary.

Gio would be the least famous person there, so the area would likely be filled with security.

Chip was spending the night with Ace, Colton, and Cocoa, while Cookie was on duty, adorned in a dashing bow tie along with his red service dog vest. As always, the limousine arrived promptly, and they headed to the gala as soon as they were dressed.

Despite attending as Gio’s date, Sacha was on high alert, especially when, just over two hours later, they were stuck in a long line of vehicles waiting to pull up to the red carpet.

“Thank you for being here with me,” Gio said, lacing his fingers with Sacha’s. He leaned in and kissed his cheek.

“I’ll always be here for you,” Sacha replied softly. Mischief sparkled in his bright, blue-gray eyes. “Besides, these gigs always serve top-notch appetizers.”

Gio laughed. “I love you so much.”

“I love you too.”

Sacha turned his head to look out the limo’s tinted window, and a flash went off.

“The fuck?” he growled. “Quick, take that guy’s picture!”

“Why?” Gio asked, removing his phone from his pocket.

“So that when I can see again, I can track him down and kick his ass!”

Oh boy. Gio returned his phone to his pocket. “That’s a lot of ass-kicking you’ll be doing then because there’s going to be a mob of photographers around all night. What did King say when you told him you were attending tonight?”

Sacha grumbled. “No smashing anyone’s equipment. No punching or threatening bodily harm.” He crossed his arms over his chest. “Stupid rules. What if some dude comes at you? I’m left with no choice but to smash his equipment.”

“By equipment, I assume you mean camera?”

Sacha glanced at him. “Um, sure, let’s go with that.”

“And as a former Special Ops Green Beret, that’s your only choice?”

Sacha pursed his lips. “You know, you’re right. I can just put the guy in a sleeper hold. Nice and clean. No one gets any blood on them. I forgot my Tide stick. Does that work on blood stains?”

“No sleeper holds,” Gio sighed.

“Smashing it is.”

“Oh my god, no,” Gio laughed. He took Sacha’s chin, turning his face to kiss him. “What am I going to do with you?”

Sacha waggled his eyebrows. “I’ve got a few ideas, but they all mean giving the driver a show, and I don’t think his contract covers seeing me pound your ass in the backseat.”

“Why?” Gio shook his head. “Why do you do this to me?”

Sacha threw his head back and laughed. “Because you’re easy.” He gave Gio a sinful look.

“Stop it right now.”

Sacha snickered. “Looks like we’re next.” He took Gio’s hand and squeezed it. “Ready?”

Gio nodded. “If you’re with me? Of course.”

“You’ve got it so bad for me,” Sacha teased as the limo rolled to a stop.

Before Gio could reply, the door opened, and Sacha got out, moving to one side so Cookie could jump down. Gio followed, taking Sacha’s outstretched hand.

Camera flashes went off as people shouted his name and the names of several other guests who joined the crowd on the red carpet.

It was far busier, noisier, and more intense than most charity events he attended, but he took a deep breath and smiled widely, his body and mind calming the moment he felt Sacha’s hand on his lower back.

He waved to the crowds behind the velvet ropes on both sides of the carpet, allowing them to take his photo; many of them asked for Sacha to be included in the pictures with him.

It was rare for Sacha to attend an event like this where photos of them as a couple would be taken.

Gio always left the decision to Sacha, but his boyfriend didn’t hesitate.

He stepped up to Gio, wrapped an arm around his waist, and smiled for the cameras.

Damn, he was beautiful. Gio wrapped his arm around Sacha and squeezed, thankful he was here.

One minute, they were smiling and waving, and the next, screams filled the air, followed by booming sounds. What the hell?

“Gun!” someone screamed, and chaos broke out. All Gio saw was a flash of movement and colors. His heart pounded, and a shiver ran through him.

“Gio, move!” Sacha grabbed Gio’s wrist and pushed his way through the crowd, clearing a path for them and Cookie, who whined as they hurried toward the building. “Cookie, inside,” Sacha ordered, and Cookie darted through the crowd and hurried indoors, stopping just inside to wait for them.

A man barreled through the crowd, and Sacha pulled Gio behind him as another explosion rocked the air.

Gio was shoved and knocked to the ground in the chaos.

Before he could process what was happening, Sacha was on him, shielding him, his arms wrapped around Gio’s head until the danger passed.

Gio’s chest heaved quickly, his hands trembled as he opened his eyes, and the sound of sirens rang in the background.

“I think it’s safe to get up,” Gio murmured, his voice shaky.

Sacha didn’t move.

“Sacha?”

Gio carefully rolled Sacha off him, and his world broke apart. He shook his head and pressed his hands against the bleeding wound on Sacha’s side.

“Baby, wake up. Please wake up.” Tears welled in Gio’s eyes, and Cookie appeared beside him, whining and nudging him. Gio shook his head again. He couldn’t pass out, not when Sacha needed him. “Someone, help me! Please,” he shouted. His world was becoming hazy, his vision darkening.

Paramedics rushed over and quickly got to work to stop the bleeding.

“How long has he been unconscious?” one of the paramedics asked.

“I don’t know. His eyes were closed when I rolled him onto his back, and then I saw the blood. You have to save him. Please. I can’t lose him.”

“We need to get him in the ambulance.”

The last thing Gio saw was Sacha being rushed away on a gurney before his world went black.