The Brightest Star

Chapter 5 - Dominic POV

I didn't want to have to do this to her. There's a fucking reason I kept my distance: I never wanted her involved with any of this.

Annabella is far too pure for this world. Despite everything she's been through, she walks through life with a smile on her face. She makes friends everywhere she goes and creates music from her laughter. She has always been too good for me; even before the bullshit.

My dad showed up in my life my junior year of high school. I'd never met him before then, never even had questions really. But he showed up one day and flipped my life upside down.

I lied to Annabella for a while; about who I am and what I do. I didn't want her to worry. And I didn't want her to get fucking involved. So I fed her stories about parking lot brawls and part time jobs to keep her curiosity at bay. And Tony played right into it. He knew what I was doing, he knew the man I was becoming. He never joined the ranks but he understood what was going on and how important it was to keep all of it away from Annabella.

But after what happened with the O'Connor brothers, I had to leave. Because shit was far more complicated than she realized and I was about to go on a blood thirsty rampage that I couldn't risk her witnessing.

It was simpler once I left. I was able to keep tabs on her from behind the scenes. Money and power can get you very far and I used both of those privileges to keep her safe. I did background checks on everyone she had a conversation with; from friends to professors to employers. And I killed anyone with a red flag.

Now I sit here, in an office covered in expensive paintings and sculptures, watching her on my laptop screen. She's still unconscious from the drug I gave her. Her hair fans out on the white sheets and her pouty lips are slightly ajar. The clothes I gave her to borrow barely fit and with her sprawled out like this, the shirt is threatening to split down the middle.

Fuck. I really have missed her. Watching her and monitoring her from afar was one thing. But having her here, holding her in my arms, hearing her voice, and that fucking perfume she wears. It's like I can breathe again.

So I couldn't risk her leaving. I couldn't risk something happening to her. I couldn't risk her being targeted. I'd have much preferred if she made the decision to stay, but I will do whatever it takes to protect that girl.

She lets out a small moan and my full focus returns to the screen. She's still out cold but she's starting to move in her sleep. She kicks her leg before rolling to lay on her back. That action was the last thread for the shirt.

It splits open, baby blue moving to reveal her soft, cream skin. Her head turns from side to side and she makes another groan-like sound. My brows furrow as I watch her. Her face has twisted into an expression that I can only describe as pain.

Oh shit.

I jump from my chair and grab my keys. I jog through the halls, past the talking soldiers and busy maids. I come to a stop outside the locked door. Marco and Leon stand guard there and their brows lift when they see me.

"You okay?" Marco asks cautiously.

I nod, slightly out of breath, and put my thumb on the scanner. It lights green and I pull out my key before opening the door.

Annabella is still on the bed, thrashing about. I rush over to her and grasp her shoulders. I shake her, pretty gently by my standards, in an attempt to wake her up.

"Anna," I say softly, "Anna, c'mon. It's just a bad dream, wake up little love."

Her brows are furrowed and she grunts. She swings her one arm, inches from smacking me in the face, and I sigh.