Dangerous Attention

Chapter 6: Possession and Protection

Offroad woke up the next morning to the faint sound of rain pattering against the window. The room was dimly lit, the heavy curtains drawn tight to keep out the early morning light. His body felt heavy, muscles sore from the tension of the previous night. His mind, however, was far more exhausted.

As he sat up, he realized he wasn’t alone. Daou was sitting in a chair across the room, one leg crossed over the other, his eyes fixed on Offroad. There was a stillness about him, a predator-like calm that made Offroad’s pulse quicken. The weight of everything that had happened last night hit him all at once.

The brawl at the bar. The narrow escape into the alley. The heated confrontation that followed.

And, of course, the kiss.

Offroad’s heart raced as he remembered the way Daou had touched him, the possessive way his hands had roamed over his body, the fierce intensity of his kiss. It had been a blur of emotions—fear, anger, desire—all wrapped into one overwhelming moment that left Offroad reeling.

“What the hell are you doing here?” Offroad asked, his voice rough from sleep but laced with a sharp edge. He didn’t appreciate waking up to find Daou lurking in the shadows, watching him like a hawk.

Daou’s lips curled into a faint smirk, his eyes never leaving Offroad. “You don’t get to ask me that.”

Offroad narrowed his eyes, irritation flaring inside him. “I’m not one of your men, Daou. I don’t answer to you.”

Daou uncrossed his legs and stood up, his movements slow and deliberate. He crossed the room in a few strides, stopping just short of where Offroad sat on the bed. The space between them felt like it was shrinking, the air heavy with unspoken tension.

“You do now,” Daou said quietly, his voice carrying a weight that made Offroad’s stomach churn.

Offroad’s jaw clenched as he pushed himself to his feet, forcing himself to stand tall in front of Daou. He didn’t want to back down, didn’t want Daou to see the effect he had on him.

“What is this, Daou? What do you want from me?” Offroad demanded, his voice rising with frustration. “You dragged me into your world, and now you’re acting like I owe you something. I never asked for this.”

Daou’s dark eyes flickered with something dangerous, something that sent a chill down Offroad’s spine. He stepped closer, his chest nearly brushing against Offroad’s, his breath hot on Offroad’s skin.

“You want to know what I want?” Daou murmured, his voice low and dangerous. “I want you to survive. I want you to stay alive in a world that would tear you apart the moment you show weakness. But more than that…” His hand reached up, fingers brushing against Offroad’s jaw, just as they had the night before. “…I want you.”

Offroad’s breath hitched in his throat, his pulse racing as Daou’s words washed over him. There was no mistaking the possessiveness in his voice, the raw hunger in his eyes. It terrified Offroad—and excited him in equal measure.

“I’m not some pawn in your game, Daou,” Offroad said, his voice shaking with the effort to keep control. “I won’t let you use me.”

Daou’s hand slid to the back of Offroad’s neck, his grip firm but not painful. “This isn’t a game, Offroad. You’re in deep now, and the only way out is through me.”

Offroad’s skin tingled where Daou’s fingers pressed against his neck, a shiver running down his spine. His body was betraying him again, responding to Daou’s touch in ways he didn’t want to admit. He hated that Daou could affect him like this, hated how easily he could lose himself in Daou’s presence.

But he couldn’t deny the pull between them. It was dangerous, intoxicating, and impossible to resist.

“I don’t need your protection,” Offroad snapped, though his voice lacked the conviction he wanted it to have. “I can take care of myself.”

Daou’s eyes darkened, his thumb brushing lightly over the side of Offroad’s neck. “You’re a lot of things, Offroad, but reckless isn’t one of them. You know what’s out there, what’s coming for you now. You’re not stupid enough to think you can handle it on your own.”

Offroad’s heart pounded in his chest, his body tingling with a mix of fear and desire. Daou was right—he couldn’t handle this alone. He had no idea who was after him or what they wanted, but he knew enough to realize that Daou was his best shot at survival. Whether he liked it or not.

But that didn’t mean he had to like the way Daou was going about it.

“You think you can just claim me?” Offroad ground out, his voice trembling with anger. “Like I’m some possession?”

Daou’s grip tightened ever so slightly, his eyes boring into Offroad’s with an intensity that made his knees weaken. “I don’t claim things I can’t protect. And I protect what’s mine.”

Offroad’s breath hitched in his throat, his body betraying him as heat spread through his chest. There was something about Daou’s words that sent a thrill down his spine, something dangerous and thrilling all at once.

But he couldn’t let himself get swept up in it. Not again.

Before he could respond, the door to the room swung open, and one of Daou’s men stepped inside. The tension in the air shifted instantly, the moment broken as the man spoke.

“Boss, we’ve got a situation. The men from last night—they’re making moves. They’re looking for him.”

Offroad’s blood ran cold, his body stiffening as the words sank in. They were still after him. Whoever these people were, they weren’t going to stop until they found him—and likely killed him.

Daou’s eyes flicked to Offroad, his expression unreadable. “Get dressed,” he said, his voice all business now. “We’re leaving.”

Offroad stood frozen for a moment, his mind racing as the reality of the situation hit him. He had no idea who these people were, no idea why they were after him. But one thing was clear—they weren’t going to stop. And he wasn’t safe.

As Daou’s man disappeared from the room, Daou turned back to Offroad, his expression softer, but still full of that dangerous edge.

“You’re with me now,” Daou said quietly, stepping closer to Offroad once again. “I’ll keep you alive. But you need to trust me.”

Offroad’s heart pounded in his chest, fear and uncertainty swirling inside him. Trusting Daou felt like walking a fine line between life and death. But as much as he hated to admit it, Daou was the only person who could protect him now.

With a shaky breath, Offroad nodded. “Fine. I’ll trust you.”

But deep down, Offroad knew that trusting Daou came at a cost. And he wasn’t sure he was ready to pay that price.