Protecting Your Own

Chapter 10-Second chances

    I stood there, taking in what he had just said. He loved me, that night did mean something to him. "So what are you going to do?" My voice came out cracked. I didn't know how to react. I had never done the whole boyfriend thing before. the song ended and he let me go and took a step back. 

   "Theres nothing I can do." His words hit me like a brick. We couldn't be together, he was to afraid of my father. There was no chance for us and that is why I had a rule to never fall in love with one of my fathers agents. 

    I didn't let the pain show on my face. I nodded and glanced over to see Laken walking over towards us. Where had he been? Wren noticed him to and his demeanor changed from serious to friendly. His posture softened and he put a fake smile on his face. "Hey guys." Laken said and passed and weird look towards Wren. It was weird seeing someone the same size as Laken, Laken usually towered over everybody.

   "Hey." I mumbled and he raised an eyebrow. 

  "You okay Bev?" I nodded not bothering to give another response. "okay, dad said that I have to stay the rest of the night but you are free to go if you'd like." He said and I sighed. finally, my time was over and I was being set free.

   "Thank god." I made a face.  Laken smiled and turned, making his way back over towards the group of girls that had been eyeing him forever. 

   "Ill take you home." Wren put his hand on the small of my back and motioned for the door. I mean I did drive with my dad, so I didn't have a way home. Laken was supposed to take me origionally. 

   We were almost at the door before someone grabbed my arm. "Are you leaving?" Cassie said frowning almost. "Its barely been two hours." Usually we left together after a couple hours and went back to my house for popcorn ice cream and movies but I'm assuming she was going to be leaving with her date tonight. 

    "Yeah, I'm not really feeling well." I made up an excuse. Her features softened as she offered a small smile before glancing back at Wren. I felt a pang of jealously at the way she was looking at him. Just because I couldn't have him, didn't mean I wanted someone else to have him. 

   "Okay, well feel better and text me tomorrow okay?" She asked and I nodded.

  "Sure thing." She danced off, with her boyfriend in tow towards the dancefloor.  I watched her go in jealously. She had the perfect life, she got to be with the person she loved.  

   "Ready to go?" I could feel Wrens breathe almost in my ear as he spoke softly, knowing I was hurt. I nodded, pressing my lips together and walking out the door.

 ~~

   The ride home was silent, neither of us daring to speak.  I stared out the window watching the trees and fences blur by us as we sped down the road. It wasn't long before we pulled into my driveway and he cut the engine. Nobody was home so I was going to be going inside alone and staying there until someone got home from the party. 

    He opened his mouth to speak but I cut him off. "Why?" I asked turning to him. I could feel the tears in my eyes but I fought them back, not wanting to cry in front of him. 

   "For the same reason no one can know you and Laken are related." He said in a hushed tone. He let out a sigh before turning to face me as well. "Beverly your father has spent years building up a life for you, so you can be safe, so no one knows you are related to him and that is to keep you safe. People are going to be able to find out where I work, bad people and Beverly if we are together, then that screws up everything your father has worked so hard to build for you." He had a point. I hated that he was right.

   "I don't need protected, I can take care of myself." I argued but he shut my down.

  "That doesn't matter Bev. Your father is going to spend his entire life making sure that you never have to fight someone off."

    "I'm a woman, I'm going to be fighting for everything my entire life I might as well get what I want now. I didn't ask for this, I didn't ask to be given a different name I didn't ask to be kept a secret!" I pretty much yelled. 

     "We are trying to keep you safe!" He yelled back. I didn't want to hear anymore. I grabbed the door handle and shoved it open, jumping out of the truck and up towards my front door. "Beverly!" I heard him yell after me as his truck door closed.  I fumbled with my keys trying to unlock my door.

    I couldn't hold it in anymore. I could feel the tears running down my cheeks, it was going to ruin my makeup and my face and all I wanted to do was cry myself to sleep. tonight had officially become the worse night of my life and I have dealt with Nadia and lot.    

     Wren grabbed my arm and spun me around pulling me into his chest and hugging me. He could tell that I was crying, yet he didn't care. "Its not fair." I mumbled through sobs. I pressed my face into his chest as he pulled me against his chest.

    "I know."  He let out a sigh before pulling me back.  "Ill take you inside." He whispered and I nodded, letting go of him. He took the keys out of my hand and unlocked the front door letting me in. 

   Wren followed me upstairs and I turned around so that he could unzip my dress. Neither of us were wanting to speak, It was completely silent in my bedroom as I went into my closet and changed into pajamas which were shorts and a big T-shirt that I had stolen from my father years ago.

   I climbed into my bed and Pulled the covers up over my body. I could feel Wren sit on my bed as his hand found mine. "I'll see you Monday morning, okay?" He said in a hushed tone.

   "Stay." My voice came out in a small whisper.

   "You know I cant do that." He sighed. I sat up a bit and pressed my lips together.

  "Just until Laken comes home, then you can leave and we can pretend tonight never happened." I suggested. I could see him thinking about it in his head to I pushed further. "Your job is to keep me safe, that doesn't entail you leaving me alone in a huge house all by myself while everyone else is gone." I blackmailed him. 

  This caused him to smirk and roll his eyes. "Only you could find a way to blackmail me into staying." He said as he stood up and took off his suit coat. I smiled and pulled him into my bed.

   I layed my head on his chest, I didn't anything but for him to be here, that was enough for me. His hand found mine and our fingers intertwined and my eyes closed.

   I drifted off to sleep peacefully with him next to me. 

   I felt small nudges and then heard our front door open. Wren slid out of bed and grabbed his jacket after leaning down and kissing my forehead. This was it, he was leaving and everything was going to go back to normal. 

    I fell back asleep as soon as he left the room.

_____________________