Everything I Don't Need

Chapter 19

Chapter 19

I called my dad to inform him that I was sleeping at a friend’s house. I knew I’d have to go back eventually but Daniel wanted me to stay a way for now.

            He still hasn’t told me who Dwayne is exactly. I have asked either. But it seemed to be bothering him.

            “What do you think he’s doing back here?” I could hear Kyle whisper in the other room.

            I was spying from the massive living room. Daniel gave me a blanket to cuddle up to and pulled a chick flick in into the DVD player.

            “He’s been gone for four years,” Mike sounded like he was in shock.

            “Should we go out and find him?” Kyle suggested.

            “No,” Daniel took charge of the conversation. “He’s obviously staying out for a reason. I don’t want him in this. He’ll just piss my father off more.”

            I heard footsteps come into the room. I looked up and smiled when Daniel bent over me to land a soft, quick kiss to my lips.

            “How are you feeling, babe?” he asked.

            “Tired,” I smiled and snuggled into the sofa.

            “One more night and I’ll have you back in your own bed,” he smiled and pushed a strand of hair out of my face.

            “Will it be safe?”

            Daniel looked away, “I’ll be there watching over you. There is no reason to be scared.”

            I lifted my head of the pillow, “But I’ll be putting you in danger.”

            Daniel sighed but quickly replaced it with a smirk, “I can take care of myself.”

            “Who is after you anyway? What do they want with you?”

            “It’s not me they want,” he slid his hands into mine. “They want you.”

            I sat up quickly, “What? Why? What did I do?”

            “It’s not your fault, really,” Daniel insisted.

            “Then whose fault is it?” I asked fiercely.  

            “I couldn’t stay away from you,” he explained. “They told me to stay away. I couldn’t… wouldn’t listen. I just couldn’t.” He looked me in the eyes and for the first time I saw the absolute fear in his.

            “Shhh,” I calmed him down. “Who is doing this to us?”

            Daniel sighed, “My… My father is.”

            “What?” I gasped.

            “He warned me to stay away. He said there would be consequences. I didn’t take him seriously. I should have. None of this would have happened if I’d just stayed away,” he was panicking.

            “There was no way I was ever going to let you stay too far away from me,” I shook my head at him. “No matter what we would have ended up like this.”

            Daniel shook his head, “I had a plan to push you away. But every time I saw you it went down the drain. I couldn’t stand even the idea of hurting you.”