Under His Protection

Chapter 8: A Moment of Clarity

The sun hung low in the sky, casting a golden light over the city as Travis stood on the balcony of the penthouse. He could hear the faint sounds of the bustling streets below, but his mind was elsewhere—on Taylor. Her words from the night before echoed in his head, and for the first time in a long time, he felt... conflicted.

He'd never let anyone in before. His world wasn't meant for someone like her, someone with a bright spirit who didn't belong in the shadows he lived in. But Taylor was different. She had made her choice. She wanted him, despite the danger, despite the blood on his hands.

Travis took a deep breath, his eyes narrowing as he heard footsteps behind him. Patrick stepped out onto the balcony, his expression casual but knowing. He always knew when something was bothering Travis, and today was no different.

"She's gotten under your skin, hasn't she?" Patrick said, leaning on the railing next to him, a small smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth.

Travis didn't respond immediately, his gaze fixed on the horizon. He wasn't one for talking about feelings, not even with Patrick, who had been by his side for years. But there was no point in denying it anymore.

"Yeah," Travis finally admitted, his voice low. "She has."

Patrick nodded, his eyes flickering with understanding. "You're not the first to get caught up in someone, you know. Brittany turned my whole world upside down, too."

Travis glanced over at him, raising an eyebrow. "This isn't the same."

Patrick chuckled. "Sure it is. When I first met Brittany, I was in deep with this life. I thought there was no way I could let her get close without putting her in danger. But I was wrong. She's stronger than I gave her credit for."

"Taylor doesn't know what she's up against," Travis muttered, his jaw tightening. "Santino's not going to stop. He knows she's close to me now. That makes her a target."

Patrick let out a sigh, glancing over his shoulder as the balcony doors slid open. Brittany stepped out, her blonde hair catching the last rays of sunlight. She smiled softly when she saw Travis, but there was a knowing look in her eyes as she approached. She had clearly overheard the conversation.

"Taylor's tougher than you think, Travis," Brittany said gently, her voice calm and reassuring. "She's not some delicate flower who's going to wilt at the first sign of trouble."

Travis ran a hand through his hair, feeling the weight of their words. "But she shouldn't have to be tough. She deserves better than this life."

Brittany stepped closer, her expression softening. "Maybe she does. But it's not your decision to make for her. She's choosing to be with you, knowing exactly what she's walking into. That says a lot."

Travis didn't respond right away. He turned his gaze back to the city, the tension in his chest building. He wasn't used to feeling this vulnerable. He was a man of action, used to controlling situations with force and precision. But when it came to Taylor, he felt like he was losing control.

"She makes me... want more," Travis confessed, his voice barely above a whisper. "Something outside of this life."

Patrick exchanged a glance with Brittany, who smiled warmly at the admission. She placed a hand on Travis's arm, her touch gentle but firm.

"That's not a bad thing," she said softly. "You've been so used to protecting yourself, closing off. Maybe Taylor is the one who can pull you out of that."

Travis looked down at Brittany, her words hitting him harder than he expected. Could Taylor really be that person? Someone who could pull him out of the darkness he'd lived in for so long? It felt impossible, but the more time he spent with her, the more he found himself wanting it to be true.

"You know, Brittany kept me grounded when I started getting too deep in this business," Patrick said, his tone lighter now. "She reminded me that there's more to life than just power and survival. Maybe Taylor can do the same for you."

Travis let out a low chuckle, shaking his head. "I don't know if I'm cut out for that kind of life, Pat."

Brittany crossed her arms, her smile turning playful. "That's what Patrick used to say. Look at him now—he's whipped."

Patrick laughed, shrugging. "Hey, if being whipped means having someone like Brittany in my corner, I'll take it."

Travis smirked, feeling a small sense of relief for the first time since the previous night's chaos. Patrick and Brittany's banter helped to ease the tension, but he couldn't shake the worry that had settled deep in his chest.

"What if I can't protect her?" Travis asked suddenly, his voice dropping. The vulnerability in his question surprised even him.

Patrick's smile faded slightly, but his eyes remained steady. "You've protected your people for years, Travis. You know how to keep her safe."

Travis shook his head. "It's different with her. She's not just some member of the family. She's... she's everything."

Brittany smiled softly. "Then don't push her away. Let her in. Trust her to handle it. You'll be stronger together."

There was silence between them for a moment, the weight of the conversation settling. Travis could feel the truth in Brittany's words, but it didn't make it any easier. Letting Taylor in meant exposing her to even more danger, but pushing her away would destroy them both.

"You need to talk to her," Patrick said finally, his voice firm but gentle. "Really talk to her. Let her know how you feel. She's already in this with you, man. The least you can do is be honest with her."

Travis nodded slowly, the knot in his chest loosening just a little. He had been holding so much back, afraid of what would happen if he let Taylor see the full extent of his world and his fears. But maybe Brittany and Patrick were right. Maybe it was time to stop hiding.

"Yeah," Travis said, his voice steadier now. "I will."

Brittany smiled, patting him on the arm. "Good. And if you ever need advice, you know where to find us."

Patrick grinned. "Or if you need someone to help knock some sense into you."

Travis smirked, shaking his head. "I appreciate it."

As the sun finally dipped below the horizon, casting the city in shadow, Travis felt a strange sense of calm settle over him. It wasn't going to be easy, but he knew now what he had to do.

He had to talk to Taylor. Not just about the danger they were facing, but about everything. About what she meant to him. About the future.

For the first time in a long time, Travis felt like there was a chance for something more.