Alexander Ranch

Chapter 13

The weekend passed very quickly. I'd had more fun then I remembered having in years. Ethan and Daisy definitely didn't make me feel like I was under their protection. Though they never left my side, we didn't stay hidden in the house. We went to the movies, to the gym, out to eat, and Ethan didn't even object to shopping.

Daisy assured me that there was no reason to hide. Either the bad guys they were protecting me from knew who I was or they didn't. And if they did, they would come. If they didn't know they wouldn't. I wasn't sure that this was the normal protocol for protecting someone, but reasoned that the president and celebrities had threats all the time and it never stopped them from going about their business with a security detail or a body guard. So, perhaps it wasn't all that strange. I decided to enjoy this rare moment of socializing and fun and let the experts worry about my security.

By Sunday night I was exhausted and had to go to bed early. I thought of all of the physical activity I'd gotten this weekend. No wonder I was worn out. Working out with Ethan and Daisy was exhausting. Daisy and Ethan both had seemingly inexhaustible energy. I'd thought I was in pretty good shape. However, after being blown away on the elliptical yesterday at the gym, I realized they were in much superior shape than I. And, after they swam laps around me in every stroke today, I realized they were military fit. Then we'd gone out shopping and eating after our workout. And, to top it off, we'd gone out dancing last night. After working out with the robo twins, going to eat and dancing, the only thing I wanted was my bed. Daisy and Ethan, however, seemed to be quite refreshed. They continued to have competitions of endurance and strength long after I'd wilted. I just watched in amazement. No wonder Daisy could put away so much food and remain so slender. I would have to work up to that level of fitness. I literally crawled into bed, wondering if I should take a painkiller for my aching body and promptly fell asleep.

I had no idea how long I'd been sleeping, or what time it was, when I was startled awake by something. I sat straight up only to be forced back down with a large hand covering my mouth and a heavy body holding me down. Even before my sleepy mind could assess what was happening I began frantically fighting and struggling in earnest.

"Shh. It's me, Jordan," a voice hissed in my ear. It took me a few moments to understand the words or recognize the hushed voice, I was so busy struggling. I'd gotten in a couple of good kicks and hits before he neatly pinned me down. Waking up this way would have catapulted me into a panic if he hadn't continually repeated his previous statement in my ear until I stopped struggling. Finally understanding his words, I stopped struggling and froze. I looked into my mistaken attackers face and, even in the darkened room, I could make out the familiar features with the little light glowing in from the window. My eyes were wide open now, I could see his eyes shining down into mine. What the hell was he doing here, and why was he covering my mouth and pinning me down? Surprisingly, my panic piped down instead of ratcheting up.

"You have to be quiet. There's someone outside," his breath tickled my cheek as he whispered the words in my ear. "I've called for backup. Are you ok, now? You won't scream if I remove my hand, will you?"

I shook my head ignoring a new sensation that was beginning to make itself known from the feel of his weight upon me. He stared down at me for a moment and then slowly removed his hand from my mouth as if prepared to re-cover it again quickly if I tried to yell out. When I stayed quiet and still, he looked down at our joined bodies and hastily removed himself from me and the bed.

"I'm, uh, sorry," he whispered. "I didn't mean to startle you or, uh, hurt you."

"I'm not hurt," I managed to mumble. My pulse was racing. Adrenaline was coursing through me. The manner in which I'd been awakened so abruptly had me wanting to jump up and pace the floor, but I didn't dare. I remained there unmoving on the bed. After a moment, I sat up slowly. We sat there in silence, Jordan alternately staring off intently as if he were listening for something and then returning his gaze to me. Then, his hand lit up, and I realized he was holding something. His phone. It didn't vibrate or make any noise. It simply lit up and he jerked his hand up to look at it. After a moment he let out a pent up breath and put the phone to his head and listened.