I walk past him towards my closet and search for the dress I've chosen in my mind. When I find it, I pull it out and then turn to face him. "Okay, let's go."
He's already out the bedroom door and halfway down the hallway before I catch up to him. His body language is pretty clear—he's a man on a mission. I just hope the guy who messed with Ana is long gone. Pissed-off Tanner isn't a man you want to mess with by the looks of it.
Chapter Ten
TANNER
Fuming in the corner of the hotel room, I silently watch as Juliette covers the nasty bruise on Ana's face with make-up. The only thing that makes me feel better is the fact Joe was in the hotel lobby when we walked in. While Juliette came straight up to the room, I dragged him aside to let him know exactly what I thought of him. I also threatened that if he ever came near Ana again, I'd go public with what a lowlife he is. That is, of course, unless she presses charges, but I doubt she will because I know she wants to keep out of the news.
Ana's eyes meet mine and I hate the sadness I see there. "I'm sorry, Tanner."
"Shit, you have nothing to apologise for." I move to where she's sitting and crouch down in front of her. "But promise me you won't ever see him again."
I've asked her this before and she's always denied my request. This time she doesn't hesitate. "I don't ever want to see him again."
"Has he done this before?"
"No, and I'm not giving him the chance to do it again."
I stand. "Thank God." My sister can be stubborn sometimes, so I'd half expected her to argue with me. He's frightened her this time, though. The minute I walked through the hotel room door, she broke down in tears. It's not often Ana cries; she's a tough woman, so I know how shaken she is.
"Okay, I think we're done," Juliette announces and passes Ana a mirror. "Thoughts?"
Ana assesses herself in the mirror and nods. "That's amazing. You can't even tell I've got a bruise, apart from the small amount of swelling, but they won't really be able to see that."
Juliette begins packing up. "And if they do notice the swelling and mention it, you were stung by a bee. It's as simple as that." She's all business and I'm impressed as hell watching the way she's managing Ana.
Ana stands and gives her a hug. It's fascinating to watch the way Juliette hesitates to accept it. She's clearly not comfortable with displays of affection, but Ana doesn't let go and eventually Juliette returns the hug. "Thank you so much for coming and helping me," Ana says when she lets her go.
Juliette waves her away. "I could hardly let you go through that alone."
Ana places her hand on Juliette's arm and stills her. "You could have, and most people I know would have. I might be famous and appear to have lots of friends, but when it comes down to it, I have Tanner to rely on in times like this, and that's it. The fact you came means a lot to me."
Juliette stares at her in surprise for a moment before blinking. "You're welcome." Her voice is soft, hesitant almost. Vulnerable. And then she switches back to beast mode. "I'm sorry to have to say this, but you really need to reconsider your decision to hire Kadence as your manager. She does an atrocious job."
Ana laughs, and it's a relief to hear because she's been so subdued while we've been here. "Oh, honey, I fired her after talking to you and Tanner on the phone, but it was priceless to hear you say that. No one besides Tanner has been game to speak the truth to me about her. I love your honesty."
"Good." Juliette's gaze turns to me. "I'm all packed up. Let's do this."
We leave the room and ride the elevator down to the foyer. I called Ana's security guard and my workmate, Zac, and they are waiting for us when the elevator arrives on the ground level. The three of us surround Ana and guide her towards the front door while Juliette leads the way.
We're almost through the paparazzi when one of them comes close and shoves his camera in Ana's face. Juliette must have seen him coming because she turns around and halts his progress. "Back it up, asshole!" She motions to me for us to keep going while she deals with him, and while I don't want to leave her by herself, she jerks her chin at me to indicate she's got this.
As we move past them and exit the hotel, I can hear her giving the guy a piece of her mind.
"She's amazing, Tanner," Ana says, smiling at me as we hurry towards my car.
"I've never met anyone like her, sis."
"Even though it pains me to suggest this, are you actually going to think about pursuing a relationship?"
"There's no thinking required."
She frowns. "What does that mean?"
"It means that when you find someone like Juliette, all you have to do is feel it. There's no need to think because it comes from the heart, not the head."
Slowing down, she stares at me with her mouth open. "Oh, my goodness, you're falling for her, aren't you? Who knew you could be so deep?"