Page 60 of Shattered

“Sara, listen to me,” I pleaded as I grabbed onto her hands to make sure she couldn’t move away.“I need you to stay with me.I can’t explain right now, but I need for you to listen to me.I need you to not argue with me and just do what I say.”She struggled in my hold.

“You’re scaring me.”She continued to try to break free, but I held steady.“Alek, let me go.”

“Promise you’ll listen to me and I’ll let go.”

“Okay,” she said,tiny spurts of breath being forced from her lips.As soon as I released her hands, she scrambled to the other side of the bed.“What are you not telling me?”

I wanted—no, I needed—to be as close to her as possible.“Baby, let’s grab some of your things, go to my house and I’ll explain everything.Try not to panic.I’ll take care of you.You’ll be safe.”I reached out to touch her, but she moved away before I made contact, my poor choice of words doing nothing to soothe her rising nerves, no doubt.

“No, you tell me what’s going on right now or I’m not going anywhere.”She was so resolute I knew damn well if I didn’t give in, I was going to be carrying her out over my shoulder.I was trying to be better with that shit, so I moved to the edge of her bed, preparing to tell her what I’d found out not even an hour before.

Without knowing what else to say, I blurted out the first thing which came to mind.“He’s out.I’m not sure what happened yet, but for some reason, they let him go, Sara.”

My eyes never left her face.I wanted to remain strong, even though inside I was breaking.I was terrified my world would be ripped apart if anything happened to her.

Taking a deep breath, I pushed all of those damn crazy thoughts aside, knowing I’d do whatever it took to keep her out of harm’s way.Some of it she wasn’t going to like, even fighting with me over it, but I would never waver.I would never give in, no matter how much of an issue she gave me.

“Who are you talking about, Alek?Who’s out?”Her voice was quiet.I saw a flicker of fear pass through her as she hopped off the bed.

“Samuel.”It was the only word I uttered, but it was enough.

She sunk to the floor and cried.“No, not now.It can’t be.”She cried harder.I rushed to her, fell on my knees and pulled her to me.“They told me he’d probably never be released from there.It’s only been eight years.” She hiccupped, trying her best to catch her breath.

“I won’t let anything happen to you, baby.I promise.I have people looking for him.I promise I’ll find him.”

I think my words made her feel better, if only for a brief moment.“You do?” she asked, gripping onto me for dear life.

“Yes.Of course I do.”Helping her to her feet, I asked, “Now, will you come stay with me for a while?”

There was no hesitation on her part.“Yes,” she whispered.

After she’d gathered her things, we were on our way toward my house.

Little did she know she’d be staying with me a little longer than I’d originally indicated.

~33~

Sara

It was the following morning as I was preparing for work when Alek sprung yet another surprise on me.While what he’d told me rocked me to my core, I was grateful he was in my life.I knew he would do everything in his power to protect me, more than ever.

He didn’t say it, but I saw the fear in his eyes when he was telling me about Samuel.I didn’t let on, though.I didn’t want him to think I doubted his ability to keep me safe.

Because I didn’t.

“Can I help you with something?” I asked as he stood there, shower door wide open, letting in the cool air.His eyes roamed over my body, lingering on my breasts before flicking up toward my face.

It took him a couple seconds to compose himself before he responded.“Since I knew you would’ve argued with me to no end, causing me unnecessary stress, I’ve agreed to let you go to work today.However, I’ve made some specific provisions you’ll have to follow.”

“You haveallowedme to go to work?”Why did his words not surprise me?I turned around so I was fully facing him, my hands resting on my hips.I knew he was going to go overboard, so I should have known better.

I didn’t think I’d ever become used to his domineering attitude.I thoroughly enjoyed it in the bedroom when we were in the throes of passion, but otherwise, it was downright irritating.Even if I understood where the man was coming from.

“Yes, Sara.I’m allowing you to go out into the world, knowing he’s out there somewhere.I won’t relax, not one bit, not until I find him and can make sure he never hurts you again.So, as I was saying, I’ve made some specific provisions for today and going forward, until I deem unnecessary.Since I can’t be right by your side every second of the day, I hired security to keep you safe.”

“What are you talking about?”I was done with the damn shower.I rinsed the rest of the conditioner from my hair, turned off the water and wrapped a big, fluffy bath towel around myself.

“I’ll be driving you to and from work, every day, until I know for sure there is no threat.Then, when I’m not able to be near you, Brian will watch over you.Keep you safe.”

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