Page 34 of Protector

But of course he would. He’s Carlo Rhivers, and there’s nothing that man wouldn’t do, especially to a daughter he claims he doesn’t even want to have.

My hands ball into fists again when I think of all the ways he’s treated Bonnie and my urge to fight to protect her grows stronger with every passing second.

I can’t let him win this.

This is mine and Bonnie’s war, and we’ll come out on top, seeing Carlo choke on our dust as we flee.

I stroke a hand down Bonnie’s long dark hair, feeling her chest rise and fall softly as she sleeps peacefully on my chest.

The urge to write is strong, so I extract her gently, careful not to wake her, and place her next to me on the cushions and duvets.

Grabbing my journal and a pen, I open it to the next available page, which is almost towards the end of the book, and begin to write.

Bon,

I’ll never say no to you. I don’t think the word could ever actually leave my lips.

If you want the world, I’ll give it to you.

If you want me, I’ll hand myself over and sign my life away.

I am yours in every way, Bonnie Rhivers.

I would never say no to you, but I am saying just not right now. I can’t wait for the day I can have you in all the other ways a man loves his girl. But right now, your heart is exactly what I want, and all I need. And that will always be enough, no matter what.

Second star on the right…

Till Neverland,

Puck

It’s the day before my sixteenth birthday.

Birthdays are never something I tend to look forward to, because ever since I was little, we’ve never celebrated it. Hence the whole, my father doesn’t actually want me, drama.

King and Dax always did what they could to make me feel special. They’d get me gifts, and Maria would bake a cake. But it was never a big event.

The past few years, they’ve been a lot more fun.

That has everything to do with Puck.

However, recently, Puck, King, and Dax have been acting weirdly suspicious whenever I mention my birthday.

I don’t know if it’s because they’re planning something, or if it’s because they have enough going on.

King has been completely closed off lately. He’s always in Carlo’s office and just seems moodier than usual. I can’t remember the last time I actually saw him smile. Like, really smile.

Dax has been more preoccupied with King, even spending more time in Carlo’s study with him.

Puck is still occupying my every waking thought, but I know he’s worried about his friends too.

So although I’d love to believe they could be planning something, they’ve got their own stuff going on.

I’ve just finished getting dressed, when one of Carlo’s men appears at my bedroom door, a horrid smirk on his face. He reaches in, grabs hold of the door handle, and slams it shut, locking it behind him. The click of the lock echoes in the silent room.

Someone must be coming to the mansion.

Nearly sixteen years old, and I’m still trapped in my room when someone comes here.

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