Saving Calen

4.

Calens POV

"Calen!" Cole shakes my shoulder hard.

My eyes spring open and I'm on my feet in seconds, looking around for whatever he's so frantic for. He comes to me and grabs my jaw, looking into my eyes.

"Shit, man. You're insanely concussed. No wonder you were hard to wake."

As the words sink in, so does the pain. My head pounds and I grown, clutching my temples.

"Caden." Is all I say.

"Ah. Well listen, you have to be dressed in 10. We're leaving soon. Do you need help?"

I toss him a glare and roll my eyes. I'm concussed not handicapped. He takes that as his cue and leaves the room.

I run down the stairs to get my blacked out suit, guns, knives, vest and everything else I may need. I strap everything on and head out to the car.

"Finally, get in." My dad says with his back to me. I start to head to the door.

"Wait!" He yells. I stop as he comes to face me.

He grabs my jaw hard as he turns my head.

"You better not let that concussion get in the way."

"No, sir." I state.

He drops my jaw unceremoniously and shoves me towards the door.

I walk out to the car and sit as we head out.

...

I stand to the side of my father as the Galantes stand before us. Mrs. Giovanni keeps looking over Caden and I like we're beef. The stare is so blatant that it has us shifting in our spots.

Then I see her daughter.

Her black hair is in loose curls that cascade down past her shoulders. Her piercing green eyes stare into mine as my father speaks. She wears a black skirt and blazer with a black turtle neck and black tights. I blink a few times to ensure that my concussion is not concocting up the girl of my dreams.

My dads voice cuts into my admiration.

"He will be by your side around the clock. When you're in your room, he will be outside your door. Our sons are trained from the time they can walk. Your protection is guaranteed."

The girl scoffs. "Some life that is."

I bite my cheeks hard to keep from showing any emotion. I stare at the ground for a minute before looking back up.

Her eyes meet mine.

She cocks her head to the side, studying me. Her gaze drags along my body lazily before she dismisses me altogether.

She's stunning.

My father continues on as if he didn't hear her.

"Calen has been well trained. Your daughter is in good hands."

The very large man to the left of her stares at me.

"You're her bodyguard. Nothing more. Get any funny ideas, and I'll make you wish you hadn't." He threatens. Mrs. Giovanni plays the role of the dutiful wife and nods.

"Yes, sir." I say as I stand with my hands clasped behind my back.

"Oh daddy, enough. I'm going to the mall." She states as she bounces off, swatting his shoulder for good measure.

I look to my dad who gives a slight nod. I look to her dad who does the same.

I follow after her as she goes to the garage.

"Ma'am, we'll be taking my jeep. It's reinforced with bullet proof glass."

She stops and whips around to me. Her eyes ablaze with anger and frustration.

"Listen here, bozo. My dad is making me have a body guard. I don't actually need one. We'll go in whatever car I want."

She continues on.

"And don't call me ma'am. My name is Aylah."

"Yes ma'am." I respond

"Fuck me, this is going to be fun." Her tone drips in sarcasm as she steps to the car.

She goes to grab the handle but I step in front of her.

Her head comes up to my chest but her glare makes her 10 feet tall.

"We'll be taking the jeep, ma'am." I say, sending her a challenging gaze of my own.

She pouts and turns around.

"Fine. But I'm playing Marina and the Diamonds the entire way."

"Deal."

...

We should've taken the car she wanted.

She screams at the top of her lungs with a giant smirk on her face.

"Come on, loosen up!" She yells.

I stare ahead.

She turns down the music.

"If we'll be spending all of our time together, I'll need to know your name." She says.

"My last name is Riot." I say, keeping my face unreadable.

"I know that, I mean your first name."

"That's too personal. Riot is all you need to know."

She pauses as she rakes her eyes over my face.

"Wow, they really did a number on you, huh."

Her question catches me off guard and I blink in surprise.

You have no idea.

I swallow whatever emotions start to bubble up as we pull into the parking lot. I park the car and open the door for her.

"I'll follow you at a safe distance so that you may have as much privacy as I can give you. Should you go into any dressing rooms, you'll call me first and I will check them. Then I will stand outside while you get dressed."

She has an expression that I can't quite pinpoint. She slowly nods as she walks in the building.

...

Hours pass as she shops and shops.

She has so many bags that she needs to employ my help to carry them all.

My head pounds as I desperately try to stifle my nausea. The last hour or so has been hell. We turn out of the last store and head back out  to the car.

We load everything up and she climbs into the front seat.

I walk around to the drivers seat and start to get myself ready. She remains unusually quiet. I turn to make sure she didn't bite off her tongue and see her face trained on my arm, or rather my forearm.

I freeze. I had gotten hot inside the store, so I rolled my sleeves up. My scars stare back at her.

Her eyes meet mine, sympathy written all over them.

"No need to be sorry. I'm fine." I snap.

She bows her head, her black hair covering her face.

I return my gaze back to the road when her hand snaps out to my chin and she turns my face to hers.

"As long as you're with me, that is forbidden. I forbade it and I'm in charge so you have to listen. That's an order."

Her eyes bore into mine, daring me to challenge her.

I pause before giving a curt nod.

"Good." She says.

...

We arrive at the house and I help her carry her bags up. She enters her room and I get comfy standing on the outside.

She pops her head out.

"Goodnight, Riot."

"Goodnight, Aylah."