Forbidden

16| Guard

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Guard

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Chapter 16: Guard (Ronan's POV)

We both have just been sitting on our respective sides of the bed, too scared to move or accidentally touch each other. I heard her take a small breath as if she were about to say something but held herself back. I turned to look at her and saw her picking at her nails while biting the inside of her cheek hesitantly. "What?" I asked. 

She looked at me nervously. "I'm hungry." 

"So?" 

"And I need something else to sleep in." 

I stared at her blankly. "So?" 

She huffed in annoyance. "So, let's go out. I know it's getting late but I'm sure some shops are still open. We can get some food and spare clothes, hmm?" 

"No." 

"Why?" 

"It's not safe. This isn't Astella, you're in twice as much danger here than you are there. Nobody can know you're still here. As far as the James family knows, we're already on our way back to Astella." 

"Not necessarily. What if they had someone follow us? What if they caused trouble in our car?" 

"Even more reason for me to not leave you alone or let you be seen by people here." 

"But I'm hungry. Aren't you? And can you really sleep in... that." She gestured to my clothes. 

"I can," I nodded. 

"Well, I can't sleep in a gown like this. Please? I'll lock the door and I won't let anyone in." 

"No." 

"Please?" 

"No." 

"Please?" She whined, hitting my arm. 

"I said no." 

"I'll go by myself." 

"You'll get lost on the way." 

"Ronan!" 

I looked over at her, my brows raised. 

"I'll starve to death." 

"Humans can last eight to twenty-one days without food." 

"That's impossible." 

"It's true."

"Ronan!" 

"Yelling my name won't help you in any way." Plus, if she wants to yell my name, I'd rather have her do it in different circumstances. Circumstances that are forbidden, because she's a princess and I'm her bodyguard. She's my client. My contractor. 

"I'm going then." She stood up and I leaned over, grabbing her arm and pulling her back down. We stared at each other in silence, daring for the other person to bite back, waiting to see who'd cave in first. "Please!" She whined again, throwing my arm off. 

I closed my eyes, taking in a frustrated breath. "Will you shut up if I go and get us some food and clothes?" 

She nodded quickly. 

I glanced at my watch. It's not too late yet. I'm sure I can find something less than five minutes away. "Don't open the door for anybody," I warned while sitting up and pulling my shoes on.