Give Me Hope (h.s)

4

I speed down the street and then I slow when I reach the more country area of the city, my eyes glancing over at Arabella. She has her window down and her head is practically hanging out the window as she looks around us.

My hands steer the wheel around the bend and I slow as we reach the top of the hill. I park and walk around the car to open her door. She steps out and looks around, her blue eyes looking everywhere.

"I'll get the food," I say, her head nodding. I reach in her side of the car and grab the take-out bag, spotting a blanket in the back. I grab it and close the door, seeing Arabella already on the bench. This view overlooks the city and I thought she'd enjoy being able to see where she's living.

"Cool, huh?" I say, her head nodding.

"I haven't seen something like this before," she says, my body sitting a respectable distance away from her.

"Everyone should at some point," I say, her head turning to look at me.

"Now, I want you to try this and tell me what you think of it," I say, pulling out the McDonalds' burger from my bag.

She takes it and bites into it, my eyes on her. It's fascinating to see how something so...simple like McDonalds can make her almost instantly happy.

"This is good," she smiles, covering her mouth for there is still food in it. "Didn't you get anything?"

I shake my head. "Sacho dictates what I eat practically. Can't eat fast food."

She frowns but takes another bite of the burger, looking back out. I can't help but watch her, innocence protruding in everything she does. The lack of world experience is admirable, but it's almost sad. A girl deserves to see the world.

"Do you have a family?"

I turn my focus back on her eyes, her question unexpected. "No. I don't."

Her face saddens and I look away, not wanting to talk about my life with the girl I'm supposed to be protecting. I can't let myself lose my strength; no vulnerability.

"What happened?" she whispers, my eyes closing.

"Nothing in particular. Dad's dead. Mom's out of the picture," I state clipped, not wanting anything else to be talked about.

"Do you miss them?" is all I hear, and I turn to look at her.

"No."

My answer receives almost shock, her eyes widening. It's not that I don't miss my mom, it's just that being told she's never going to see me again has become all I know. I don't see her, so I can't miss her.

I'm pulled out of my thoughts when I hear a laugh, my body getting up. My hand grabs Arabella's arm and I pull her up, shoving her behind me.

"This almost seems too easy, considering she shouldn't be out of the house," Zayn laughs, my eyes glaring at him.

"What are we even doing up here? Are we on a date?" Zayn laughs, two more men appearing.

"Fuck off Zayn. It's nothing that fucking concerns you or your damn men," I say, shuffling towards the car with Arabella behind me.

"Now, now, we can do this the easy or the hard way," he says, my hand opening the door. I damn near shove Arabella into the car and I manage to grab the gun I keep below the seat, holding it out.

"Leave or I'll shoot. And we both know you don't want that," I say, his eyes narrowing as he looks at me.

"It's alright Styles. Just know we're watching you. Every move. Especially with Sacho's bitch," he smirks, my hand pulling the trigger to hit his leg. It hits his thigh and I run to the driver's side, starting the car and driving off.

"Harry, what - what was he doing?" Arabella asks, my foot pushing the gas pedal as I speed down the street.

"Following us. I took care of it," I state firmly, driving us back to the house as fast as I can.

"Slow down," she says, but I ignore her. "Harry, please."

I sigh and release my foot from the pedal slightly, going more the speed limit. My eyes flicker to the rearview mirror, ensuring we're not being followed.

"Harry," I hear, my head glancing to Arabella. She's watching me, my eyes moving to the road then back to her.

"W-Why did you shoot him?" she asks, my lips releasing a sigh.

"It's an effort to protect you. They're not going to go away, so if I stall him by giving him an injury, it may ease up for a week or two. He won't fucking stop his men though," I explain, turning the heat up when I notice her shivering.

"I don't want you to get hurt," she says, my eyebrows furrowing. Why does she care? This is my job.

"I'll be fine," I say, her silence expected. I keep driving, my eyes continuously looking in the mirrors to make sure no one is after us.

My head swivels fast when I feel Arabella grab my hand, her hands holding it tightly. I glance at the road then back at her. "Arabella," I start, but she cuts me off.

"I'm scared out of my mind and I just need to hold your hand," she says, my lips pursing as I remain speechless. That's the first time she's really standing up to me, but I can't do anything about it. If she's scared, she can hold my fucking hand for all I care. She just needs to trust me.

The drive home is silent and I keep my hand in her lap, her hands surrounding my own. She's warm, compared to my cold hand. It's weird to be in this position, but I don't mind. It's an honor to think Sacho wants me to protect her.

I park the car and look over, noticing that Arabella is fast asleep. So I carefully move my hand away and get out, moving to her side. My arms maneuver her into my body and I shut the door, walking into the house.

"Harry," I hear her say, my head looking down at her.

"You're home. Just sleep," I say, her eyes closing as she nuzzles her head into my neck. The feeling running through me is foreign, my sudden urge to make sure she's safe in my arms growing. The only known truth right now is she's safest right here, right now.

My finger types in the code and the door opens, my feet walking into her room. Once I lay her in bed, I take her shoes off and pull blankets over her. When I'm about to leave, she grabs my arm and I look down at her.

"Thank you," she whispers, my eyes casted on her. She looks so innocent, so pure, at this moment. This girl is pristine.

"Anytime, Arabella."

She smiles and I walk out, quietly shutting the door. It's when I turn around that I freeze, Sacho glaring at me with his arms crossed.

"Get in my fucking office. Now."

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