Protective

Passing Through

Lana

I had been non-stop working the second I step foot at the venue. I was dressing models and being dressed myself all the while being ordered by a million different people to do a million different things.

It was easily one of the first times I had actually felt the gravity of having to do two completely different jobs. I barely had time to even think.

"Lana is this the piece you wanted Rachelle in?" Imogen asked, probably her millionth and one question of the night.

"Yes," I nodded, eyeing the model, "Get hair and makeup to put her hair up, please."

She nodded, grabbing the model and rushing her away, before my attention was again turned to something else. If this went as well as I hoped it would, it would be a million times easier to convince father that this could be a real thing for me.

I was still under the impression that he thought this was a child pipe dream, but considering what I was being paid for tonight alone, this was hardly child's play.

"Lana, I hear everything is running on schedule," Sage said over my shoulder.

I smiled, "What are you doing here?"

"Making sure my gamble of a hire is making me look good," she laughed, "Glad to see you are."

"Thank you," I laughed too, "I know the fact that I'm in high school puts a damper on things but with my break coming up I was hoping to put in some more hours."

Sage shook her head, "Um, no. You will be taking your break, sweetheart. You've been working diligently, like you promised. But everyone needs time to collect themselves, and this may be highly unorthodox but I'm giving you six weeks."

My heart dropped immediately,"Have I done something wrong?"

"No, of course not," she shook her head, "It's just the fact that you're still a child. I don't want you suffering any burnout because of me, okay? Take the six weeks, rest, go on vacation. I don't care, just enjoy yourself."

I nodded and she smiled, "I'll be taking my seat, now. You look beautiful, I know you'll do well."

I didn't even have a second to take a breath before I was grabbed and shoved in line to walk out onto the stage.

This wasn't a typical runway show. Truthfully I was nearly as tall or thin enough to walk a runway, according to this world anyway.

It was more like all the models were put on the stage at once, showcasing each piece of clothing all at the same time. I hardly even notice the crowd with the blaring lights practically burning my corneas.

All I could do really was try and remember what I was doing and pose for the cameras that I couldn't even see outside from a stray flash here and there.

If I was being honest, my mind was elsewhere. Things were only getting weirder between Yeremy and I.

I wasn't sure what to do considering the fact that we aren't even supposed to have any kind of relationship. It's not as if I could go up to him and express that I wanted to hang out more. I would sound absolutely ridiculous and considering the way he had been acting lately the last thing I wanted to do was embarrass myself in front of him.

Despite all of these things weighing heavy on my mind, I managed to pull through the entire thing.

Sage loved it and her boss loved it to. At least that's what I understood from the bouquet left at my mirror. I smiled slipping back into my own clothes before turning back to what was now a party.

I entered the crowd and began mingling with the important people.

I hardly even noticed him.

It was like my eyes grazed the room until I saw him there smiling at me. Petyr was standing right there, mere inches away and my body hardened like cement.

I fucked up.

I really fucked up.

"Hello Svetlana," he said in a sickly sweet tone, "I assume you know who I am."

I didn't even have a chance to blink before Yeremy wrapped me up and ushered me away from the entire crowd of people.

"What are you doing?" I demanded not even realizing my entire body was trembling with fear, "Go kill him."

He sighed, carrying me down the stairs to the parking lot, "You're my priority, do you understand? Someone else will handle him."

I sulked as he sat me in the passenger seat of his car and fastened my seat belt before handing me a phone, "Call your father, he wants to talk to you."

My eyes widened. I knew exactly what that call was going to be about.

I was done. No more school, no more job, no more freedom. I was utterly and completely done.

I was never going to see the sunlight again. That's all I heard when my father talked. My hands were shaking and I felt like my heart had turned to stone.

He was so close.

He was too close.

"Yeremy don't take me home," I handed him the phone.

He sighed, "I have to."

"You should've killed him."

"I couldn't."

"Why not?"

If he had killed him all of my problems would be solved just like that. I wouldn't have to become a shut in for the rest of my life. I wouldn't have to have a bodyguard. I wouldn't have trouble sleeping. I wouldn't forget to eat.

Just a bullet and that's it.

"You have killed before? Right?" I kept talking, "You aren't some kind of a saint with a rule about killing? How could my father assign me someone with a stupid moral compass?"

"I have killed before, Lana."

"You should've killed him," I said again, ignoring him. Unable to stop any of the words flowing passed my lips like water, "Are you a coward? Is that it? That's okay. Maybe if we turn the car around we can find him and you'll have a second chance."

"Lana—

"No, I mean rationally he would've fled by now, but that doesn't mean we can't catch him, right?"

"Svetlana," he said firmly, squeezing my thigh.

"I was never supposed to kill him, especially not in such a public place. I'd be in jail if I had killed him there in front of everyone. Besides," he gripped the steering wheel, "I am only supposed to get you out. That is my job. It doesn't matter what kind of a shot I have, I am supposed to get you to safety no matter what, understand?"

I nodded, trying to slow down my breath, "Okay."

"Now," he spoke softly, "I'm going to take you home. We're not that far."

Suddenly every nerve in my body went off, "I don't want to go home, Yeremy."

"I know."

"So then why are you still driving?"

"Because I have to."

- - End of Chapter - -