Prince and the Pauper

Chapter Thirty-Seven

"The minute you start to hurt you're back in bed, okay?" Harry repeated for what seemed the hundredth time as he hovered over me as I slowly walked out of the bedroom. He had been more than reluctant to let me out of bed but I needed to get out of that room before I went crazy. The minute Harry had informed me Zaiden was coming over to help figure out a plan to bring down Drake and Trace, I was determined to help. No way was I going to lie around in bed whilst they plotted like Harry wanted me to. His constant concern was touching, but I needed to do this. For justice for myself and most importantly for my brother.
"Okay." I agreed, gripping the bannister as I started to descend the stairs. I saw Harry go to scoop me up and I pointed an accusatory finger at him.
"Don't you dare." I warned with a raised eyebrow. "I can walk on my own. But thank you all the same." I politely yet strictly declined, and I saw Harry's jaw clench.
"I don't want you to strain yourself." Harry insisted as he stayed by me the entire way down the steps.
"I'm walking, not running a marathon babe." I quipped. When we reached the landing at the bottom of the steps Harry stopped me and gripped my chin gently to demand my attention.
"You were abducted and held hostage in lethal conditions. You were on death's doorstep when we found you and I'll be damned before I take your safety and well-being for granted again." The intensity in his voice stole my words, and I remained silent as he released the softest of sighs, delicately pushing a lock of hair behind my ear, his hand cupping my cheek.
"I wish more than anything we could have met in normal circumstances, and I wish I wasn't related to the men that destroyed your life. I wish your parents had taken care of you, and I wish Geordie was here. But I can't control the past baby. But I can control now, and  I can control the future. So I might get jealous, or over-protective. I might make you want to scream and shout," his forehead pressed to mine gently, our fingers locking together,
"but only because I want to make you happy. I want to be your happiness." I smiled genuinely and Harry reciprocated as he leant forward and pressed his lips softly to mine.
"I love you." Harry whispered.
"Aww I love you too man!" We both jolted as Zaiden's voice boomed from the now open door. I threw my head back and laughed as Harry grumbled a curse under his breath, and Zaiden won a gloating smirk as he walked over and wrapped me up in a careful yet warm hug.
"Glad to see you back safe and sound." He said sincerely and I grinned as I pulled back.
"There's something called knocking these days, Zaiden." Harry hinted, and Zaiden turned his attention to his best friend.
"Well maybe you should leave the front door locked. You are in hiding after all." Zaiden tutted. I watched as Harry's eyes widened comically.
"It was!" Harry argued, and I saw a cheeky smirk spread across Zaiden's lips.
"Oh, yeah. Did I fail to mention I had a spare key?" Harry punched Zaiden in the shoulder and I giggled as I watched the two playfully throw jabs at one another. Harry feigned a left, and Zaiden bought it, getting caught off guard as Harry lunged at took them down to the ground.
"Aye, not fair! I'm in a suit!" Zaiden laughed, and Harry pulled back looking smug.
"Ah, sir." A gruff voice coughed from behind the two on the floor. My vision snapped to a tall man standing in the door frame, faded denim jeans and a simple blue and white plaid shirt made him appear like the cliché married man next door in a white-picket fenced suburb.
"Positions of Jones and I are stable, and we'll radio through any sign of life." He explained to Zaiden, who nodded politely. I watched the man's eyes meet mine, and was confused even further when he flashed me a sympathetic smile.
"Good evening ma'am." The stranger nodded his head at me, an Alabama accent making me smile.
"Evening." I managed to speak without laughing at the comical moment.
"Harry, Dev, this is my right-hand man from Winstell security, Nox Redson." Zaiden introduced us all, and I smiled at Nox in appreciation.
"You've been put on watch  duty?" I filled in the gaps, and he gave a kind smile.
"Indeed miss." His manners were something quite unheard of to me, and yet appreciated. "I have another man stationed West in the closest home down the single road leading here, and another two men East. If anybody comes for you, we'll know." He was confident, and it made it somewhat easier to breathe.
"Thank you." Harry spoke up, and Nox curtly nodded. His demeanour changed noticeably, and Harry picked up on it, his spine stiffening slightly. Oh Lordy.
"Forgive me if I am wrong, Nox," Harry's tone suggesting just how strange his name was, "but I sense you hold hostility towards me." Nox held Harry's stare, and I watched as his blue eyes then flickered to me.
"No disrespect was implied sir." Nox shook his head. "But my ties with Devonne run a little further than even she knows, and it makes my job of protecting her more personal." My eyes narrowed in confusion, waiting for Nox to elaborate.
"I have a daughter, nine years old. She's my baby. Last year we received the news she had Leukaemia, and she was hospitalized. In the same hospital Geordie was located in." I felt my heart squeeze with sympathy, and my hand flattened to my chest.
"I'm so sorry." I said sincerely. "Is her treatment going okay?"
"I'm not sure. I am a single parent and couldn't afford the move uptown when it was relocated to Adlington." Silence filled the room, and Harry ran his hand down his mouth as the reasoning to Nox's bitterness towards Harry was revealed. He was the son of the man keeping him from his sick daughter. Of course this would be hard for him.
"I'm sorry for that." Harry said softly. "But I had no responsibility for Drake's actions." He said honestly, and Nox gave a pinched smile.
"I know. I know I cant blame ya, but it makes it hard, still, meeting the son of the bastard that is responsible. But I assure you I will do my best to protect your gal." Nox promised, and Harry's shoulders relaxed, making me relax too, and I placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Perhaps we should sit down?" I suggested, gesturing to myself. "A little sore and we need to make a plan on how to take down Drake and Trace."
"Bed." Harry ordered, and my eyes widened in shock as he swiftly scooped me up in his arms.
"Nononono, I get to help too." I argued, smacking his chest, but Harry wasn't fazed.
"I told you the minute it got painful you were back on bed rest." Harry retaliated, carrying me back upstairs and I groaned, the sound of Nox's and Zaiden's laughter floating up the stairs.
"Harry." I moaned as he kicked the bedroom door shut and gently deposited me into bed.
"My job is to look after you. Zaiden and his men's job is to protect you. And your job," he tucked the blankets in and stroked my cheek gently, "is to rest and recover."
"I can do that-"
"Devonne." He spoke gently, yet warning and authority drenched his voice.
"I hate this." I grumbled, leaning back against the pillows and pouting.
"I know, darling." Harry cooed, his thumb running along my lips, smoothing my angry pout away. "Sometimes what he need is not what he want. Doesn't mean it's the wrong way though." He reasoned, and I huffed, nuzzling my cheek into his cupped hand.
"You'll keep me informed though?" I pleaded, and I saw him roll his eyes playfully, but he nodded.
"As if you'd have it any other way." Harry teased, and I grinned as I closed my eyes sleepily.
"Get some rest, baby." Harry whispered, and  I sighed in defeat, sleep already wrapping it's arms around me and pulling me under the veil where dreams of Dante haunted me.