Page 17 of Wanted

We fell asleep wrapped in each other’s arms.

The next morning, I woke up to an empty bed and an uneasy feelingwrapped around my heart. He said some pretty strange things the night before,and I prayed his words were solely a result of the alcohol he’d consumed.

Don’t become paranoid now,Sara. Not after everything you’ve been through together.

The next couple of days Alek seemed distant, evasive even.When I asked him if there was anything wrong,he would placate my concern by telling me he was stressing about a buildingissue with a new hotel.

I believed him.

~11~

Alek

I continued to struggle with the dreaded emotion which seemed tosnatch my very sanity. Everything swirling around inside me barely made sense. Iknew in order to keep her completely safe I would have to take a step back, butof course, I was finding the feat extremely difficult.

How could I walk away from the only woman I’d ever loved?

How could I breathe if she wasn’t in my life?

But something had to give. And I feared it was going to be myheart.

I tried to keep as busy as possible, slowly distancing myselffrom her, first physically then emotionally. I quickly learned both were nearlyimpossible. I had to keep drudging on, though, if I was going to ensure nothingbad would ever happen to her again.

I was grateful for every single moment Sara bestowed on me,putting up with my ranting and mostly unreasonable demands. She didn’tunderstand the protective need I had over her. She would never fully understand,I suppose, no matter how many times I tried to explain it to her.

My promise to her grandmother so many years before started offinnocent enough but it turned into something deeper. It turned into my need tosave her from the dangers lurking behind every corner, to save her fromherself.

I knew Samuel was her biggest threat and he’d been extinguished,but the tragic situation only drove home how unfocused I’d really become thosepast few months.

I knew I sounded paranoid, but it was the way it had to be if Iwas going to protect Sara once and for all.

~12~

Sara

“What’s happening, chickie?” Alexa asked as she came bouncing throughthe front door. Braden walked closely in right behind her, as if he didn’t wantto let her out of his sight.

“Hey, you guys. How are you?” I smiled, but I wasn’t in a happymood. I was putting on a front these days, mainly because I didn’t entirely knowwhat the problem was.

“Hi, Sara,” Braden greeted. He followed Alexa into her bedroomonly to be escorted out five minutes later. He looked hurt but appeasing. “Bye,Sara,” he said before he dragged my dear friend into the hallway, away from mycurious eyes.

I was so happy Lex had found a good man. They’ve been spendingmore time with each other and I was happy she had someone to turn to,especially since my accident. I knew she worried about me, and I was glad shehad a shoulder to lean on in times of need.

She came back ten minutes later, a look of pure happiness etchedacross her face. She couldn’t help but look the part of a woman in love,although she said she wasn’t there yet. I thought she was lying to herself,holding on to the remaining hardened part of her fragile heart.

Alexa Bearnheart acted tough, but she was a huge softieunderneath.

“Why did Braden leave? I could’ve gone into my room if you guyswanted to hang out here and watch TV.” I scooted over on the couch to make roomfor her to sit.

“Don’t be silly, Sara. I told him to leave.” Grabbing a pillow,she sat down and pulled it close to her, getting comfortable for what I wassure was going to be one of our talks.

“And why would you do that?”

“Because I saw your face as soon as I walked in. You looked likeyou were going to burst out crying but were trying your hardest to looknormal.” Reaching over to grab my hand,she gave it a squeeze and said, “I know when my girl is struggling.”

I half-smiled, trying to keep my tears at bay. I didn’t know whatwas wrong with me lately.

My shoulder was healing well.

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