Love Save the Empty

Fifteen

Hope you enjoy this chapter!

“There's something about you now,

I can't quite figure out,

Everything she does is beautiful,

Everything she does is right…

'Cause it's you and me and all of the people with nothing to do,

Nothing to lose,

And it's you and me and all other people,

And I don't know why, I can't keep my eyes off of you.”

Lifehouse – You and Me

Fear took over every inch of Bella’s body. The feeling of his presence in the room made her feel cold. Everything felt cold. The air she was breathing, the marble counter she was desperately clinging to, even her own touch sent shivers down her spine.

She could see it already. Her lying helplessly on the floor waiting for the pain while Harry was trying to protect her. She could see Harry on the floor next to her, also helpless. There was nothing she could do at this moment to save her and Harry from the monster before them.

Expecting the worst, Bella looked up to meet the stone cold stare from the man who causes her and her aunt physical pain. Pain that will eventually fade away physically, but always stay with her mentally and emotionally.

But when she looked up, in Brent’s eyes, she saw something so odd, so unfamiliar coming from his dirty, unshaven face. Something that she never thought she would see in those ice blue eyes.

Fear.

“Mr. Styles,” Brent stuttered, “What a surprise.”

What?

“Brent,” Harry simply said, letting Brent know his greeting was acknowledged.

Harry studied Bella intently. He had taken note of the sudden change of mood and emotion as soon as Brent walked through the door. He could see the goosebumps on her olive skin, her knuckles white from clinging to the counter. He could see it in her eyes- he could see the fear that this man brought upon his girl.

“Out of all the places in this town, this is the last place I thought you’d be, Sir.” Brent seemed more calm, but somewhat rattled at Harry’s presence. Why was Brent being so formal to Harry? And why did he call him Sir?

“Yes, well, here I am,” Harry strictly spoke, “And from my understanding you were given a job to accomplish today, and yet here you are, not accomplishing it. Why is that, Brent?”

The unfamiliar controlling Harry has full on leaped out of its shell once again. The entire situation before Bella’s eyes was confusing. Brent had at least 100 lbs on Harry, and yet, Brent still practically bowed down to Harry. It seems as if Bella will always underestimate how dangerous Harry is. Who would have thought he would be able to tame the wild beast that is Brent.

Bella was too caught up in her thoughts to realize Brent had fled the house, and it was just her and Harry again. What snapped her back to reality was the warmth Harry’s body gave her when his arms slid around her body. She hadn’t even realized she was holding her breath until she finally let out a sigh of relief. Harry’s grip on Bella tightened, worry flooding through his body. What has this man done to her?

“Baby,” Harry mumbled, “What’s the matter? What did he do to you?”

She didn’t answer right away; too distracted in trying to catch her breath, and mesmerized by the trail of warmth Harry left on Bella’s icy skin as his fingers traced her back.