Chapter 6: Under His Protection

The sound of screeching tires echoed through the underground parking garage long after the black SUV disappeared.

Emily stood frozen, her heart racing uncontrollably.

Her legs felt too weak to move.

Dominic still held her securely against him, making sure she was standing steadily.

"Emily... look at me," he said firmly.

She slowly lifted her eyes.

"Are you hurt anywhere?"

"I... I don't think so."

"My hands are just shaking."

Dominic carefully examined her for injuries.

Seeing none, he finally released a relieved breath.

"Call an ambulance anyway," he instructed one of the security guards.

"And notify the police immediately."

"Yes, Mr. Steele."

Marcus arrived moments later after receiving Dominic's call.

"What happened?"

"Someone tried to run Emily over," Dominic answered coldly.

"The same SUV?"

"Yes."

Marcus cursed under his breath.

"The police are already on their way."

Emily wrapped her arms around herself.

The shock was finally catching up to her.

Dominic noticed her trembling.

Without saying anything, he removed his suit jacket and gently placed it around her shoulders.

"You'll catch a cold," he said quietly.

"Thank you."

Within minutes, police officers arrived at the parking garage.

They questioned everyone present and collected the security footage.

"Miss Hart," one officer said gently.

"Did you recognize the driver?"

"No."

"Everything happened too fast."

"Do you have any enemies?"

Emily looked confused.

"None that I know of."

"We'll investigate," the officer assured her.

After nearly an hour, the police finally allowed everyone to leave.

"I'll drive you home," Dominic said.

"That's not necessary."

"It wasn't a request."

Emily knew arguing with him would be pointless.

"Alright."

The drive was unusually quiet.

Rain had begun falling outside, creating a calm rhythm against the windows.

Emily stared silently through the glass.

"You're blaming yourself," Dominic suddenly said.

She looked at him.

"I keep wondering why someone would target me."

"Maybe they weren't after you."

"Maybe they wanted to hurt you because of me."

Dominic tightened his grip on the steering wheel.

"Either way, I'll find whoever did this."

"I promise."

Emily believed him.

For some reason, his words made her feel safe.

When they reached her apartment building, Dominic parked outside.

"Do you live alone?"

"Yes."

"From tonight onward, you won't."

"Excuse me?"

"I'll assign private security until this situation is resolved."

"Dominic... that's too much."

"Someone tried to kill you."

"Nothing about this is too much."

Emily couldn't argue with that.

"Thank you."

"Get some rest."

"I'll see you tomorrow."

She smiled faintly.

"Good night."

"Good night, Emily."

It was the first time he had called her by her first name without thinking.

Neither of them mentioned it.

Back inside his penthouse, Dominic immediately called Marcus.

"I want everything you can find on Emily Hart."

"Family, friends, previous employers, classmates—everything."

"You think someone from her past is involved?" Marcus asked.

"I don't know."

"But this wasn't random."

"I'll start tonight."

"Good."

Dominic ended the call and walked toward the large windows overlooking the city.

His expression turned colder than ever.

"Whoever you are," he muttered.

"You picked the wrong woman to target."

The following morning, Emily arrived at Steele Empire expecting things to feel awkward after the previous night's events.

Instead, she found two security officers standing outside the executive floor.

"Good morning, Miss Hart," one greeted politely.

"Mr. Steele instructed us to escort you whenever you leave the building."

"He actually did it," Emily whispered.

As she entered her office, Dominic was already waiting.

"How are you feeling?"

"Much better."

"Any nightmares?"

Emily hesitated before nodding.

"A few."

"That's understandable."

"If you need time off..."

"No," she interrupted gently.

"I'd rather work."

Dominic studied her determined expression.

"You're stronger than most people."

"Life taught me to be."

Before either of them could continue, Marcus entered carrying a thick folder.

"I found something," he announced.

Dominic immediately stood.

"What is it?"

"Not here."

"My office."

Emily watched them disappear behind the glass doors.

A strange feeling settled in her stomach.

Whatever Marcus had discovered...

She somehow knew it had everything to do with her.