Damien
Isensed her fear, the terror she was holding inside. She was in over her head, no one to turn to, no idea how to stop what was happening. Because she couldn’t stop it—it was beyond her control.
But I could.
It angered me the way the system worked. He hadn’t touched her, so therefore, nothing was done. Never mind he was mentally frightening her. It was as bad, if not worse, than laying hands on her. And I worried what would happen if he managed to get her alone and did get his hands on her. The man I had seen was tall and lean, but I had no doubt he was stronger than her. He had a good foot on her, height-wise, and his loose hoodie probably hid muscles that could easily overpower her.
But it wasn’t going to happen on my watch. I couldn’t explain the connection I felt to Raven— the need to protect her, to make sure she was okay, but I wasn’t going to fight it. The memory of how she felt in my arms and the taste of her on my tongue was too strong. There was a reason she’d run in here, to me. I was what she needed to help her.
I wrapped my hands around her cold fingers, rubbing at the skin.
“I know you’re upset and scared, Raven. I understand. But I’m right here.”
She looked away, opened her mouth, then closed it.
“What?” I prompted. “What’s going on in that pretty head of yours?”
“I appreciate you playing along. Having me stay and have dinner with you. Giving me a chance to calm down and relax a little…” She trailed off.
“But?”
“Now I have to go home and hope he’s not waiting.”
I shook my head. “I rather hope he is.”
“What?” She gaped at me.
“Since I plan on walking you home, I hope he is there. I have a few things to say to him that might discourage any further interactions. I have a feeling he likes to push people smaller than himself around. If he knows someone is looking out for you, he might back off.”
She frowned, chewing the inside of her cheek. “Do you really think so?”
“I hope so. But I want a good look at him. I plan on finding out as much about him as I can.”
“Why?”
I squeezed her hands. “Unlike my boss, I believe in fate, Raven. You rushed into this bar where I was for a reason. That reason is no one can help you the way I can. No one can protect you like me. I was sitting there for the same reason.”
“Which is?”
I tilted my head, studying her. “Waiting for you.”
Color flushed her cheeks. “Oh.”
She looked as surprised by my words as I was. But I was being honest. From the moment our eyes met, I felt a connection. I wanted to know everything about her. Including what in her past had hurt her and why she had left her hometown. I had seen the pain in her eyes when I asked about friends or a boyfriend. Felt the sadness in her single-word answer. “No.”
“You aren’t alone with this anymore.”
She looked dazed.
“Does my directness bother you?”
She pursed her lips. “It should, given why I ran in here, but for some reason, it doesn’t. I like your directness.”
“Good. I will always be honest with you.”
Again, that odd look crossed her face. “I like honesty.”
This wasn’t the time to question her. I would find out her history soon enough.