Brittany O'Neill and her family packed up everything and moved to Berkeley, California for a fresh start. Her brother and she were excepted into Berkeley University and she thought it would be the great college experience. With little to no stresses...
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Chapter Fourteen
I instantly shook my head.
"No, he said I should go back to the dorms. I think he would—"
"I don't care what he said. If he has a problem, he can take it up with me. He stepped out of line today and I don't think you should be alone right now."
"I don't have any clothes—"
"I'll have Megan bring you some over. I'm sure she wants to see you, anyway."
"Doesn't he live in the same dorm?" I asked, panic surging through me.
"Britt, I promise you'll be fine with me. Henry will be with Megan tonight so you can sleep on my bed while I take his." He rested his hand on my thigh and I fought the urge to flinch away.
"I won't let anything happen to you tonight. Nothing is going to happen. He made threats, but he makes a lot of those. Sometimes he follows through, but this isn't going to be one of those times," He said, meeting my eyes briefly before returning them to the road.
Yeah, he said that for tonight, but what about tomorrow or the day after that? Would this be my life now? Were these threats constantly going to be made and even carried out? Constantly, being afraid of these people. Being controlled by them and if not get punished for my mistakes?
"Niles?"
"Yeah?"
"Will I constantly have to be afraid now?" I asked seriously, and he frowned.
"No, it will get better. You won't be endlessly afraid."
"How can you be sure?"
"I told you I'll protect you no matter what."
I believed him and I didn't doubt his ability to do so. How this sudden assurance he would do what he could to protect me and not hurt me came I didn't know. I only knew it had. I just wondered if he'd protect me from Liam and others, like Zeke. Or even those other dangers out there. Marcus and Ty? Those worse things Liam alluded to before? I wondered if Niles would be enough.
"Liam—"
"He has trouble not being intimidating, and he tries. You don't have to worry. I'll keep my hands to myself. I feel that worries you a little. I promise I'll never touch you without permission. Never have and never will. You have my word on that, no matter what."
"Niles, he scares me." I frowned.
"Don't let him scare you. No one has any intentions of letting anything happen to you. I certainly don't and I'll be there for you as much as I can. Consider it my job."
"Okay," I said weakly, deciding I was better off with him than in the dorms. I also assumed he would be a better defense against Liam than Megan at the moment, but hopefully, I wouldn't need one.
