Consigned

Part 13

Enzo

I laid beside Erin, watching her breathe. My angel is finally safe. She will forever be protected by me. I watch her sleep peacefully, her naked body shivers and I pull the sheet up over her more. Gliding my hand across her stomach, I smile resting it there for a minute.

My daughter. Blood or not. I will always love them both.

I lay there longer, wrapped up, content with every single thing in my life right now.

Well, almost.

I missed boxing. The only thing I've ever been really good at. I've trained my whole life for it. I feel like a piece of me is missing. But if it keeps my girls safe I'll never look back.

I close my eyes and think of the first time I saw her.

She was just a little girl, she looked so sad sitting on the couch reading her books. Her dad was passed out in the recliner, smelling of booze. Her mom met me and my dad at the front door, letting us in quietly telling us not to wake her husband.

We walked in, and her and dad disappeared upstairs and I went and sat beside the little girl and smiled down at her.

"Hi."

I spoke but she wouldn't say anything.

"My name's Enzo, what's yours?"

"Erin."

"That's a boys name."

She shrugged, not caring.

"How old are you?"

"Five."

"I'm twelve, since I can read do you want me to read your book to you?"

"I can read."

"Yeah right! You're a baby."

"Can too!"

"Prove it."

"One day in a park, the mama duck went out for a swim. She swam fast and then slow."

She looked up "Told ya."

"You're smart for a little girl."

"I'm not little."

"Five is little."

My dad walked back down the stairs tucking his shirt into his pants.

"Let's go Enz."

I got up.

"Bye little girl." I said laughing.

She stared as I walked away. She looked scared and alone.

That was the first time I met her, and I never stopped thinking of her since.

Of course she doesn't remember this, and I'm unsure if I need to tell her or not.

I've always been in her life. Just in the shadows.

She went through hell as a kid. I couldn't do much to help her.

My dad didn't take me over to her house anymore when he went. I assumed it was because I was getting older and knew he was a drug dealer.

The older I got, I looked into her family. She had it bad. But she was far too young for me to do anything really without seeming creepy.

I ran into her dad at the bar one night. We talked, and he more or less admitted he was a shitty father. I asked if he could would he try and give his little girl a better chance at life. He said he would do anything for his daughter.

He died a week later.

I eased off some once she left her moms. She seemed happier and more safe. I focused more on my training knowing she was taken care of.

Plus the whole stalker thing wasn't my scene.

After a few years of not checking up on her, my angel walked into my life again. Almost serendipitous.

I was a personal trainer at the gym and I worked with Cali and Dean. Except Cali introduced her to Dean and not me.

Hearing about how much they loved each other, made me train that much harder. Not caring about other women. Never getting into relationships.

I had it bad.

This beautiful girl was with an asshole and I had to silently endure it.

I once again sat om the sidelines, just close enough to know she was okay.

The day came she needed me and I was there.

But how do I tell her this without scaring her?

Oh hey Erin, I've secretly tracked you for years since we met as kids while your mom fucked my dad for dope?

Right. Should go great.

I lay there for another moment, then gently I get out of bed, careful not to wake Erin.

I make some coffee and go sit on the balcony to drink it.

After a few minutes, Erin slides the door open to the porch.

"Good morning." she smiles to me wrapped up in a small silk robe.

"Morning baby. Come here." I pat my legs, and I wrap my arms around her when she sits.

"So what are we doing today?"

"Hmmm, well I booked you a spa treatment and I'm gonna go to the gym. I figured we both need some relaxation. Just for a little while. When you're done we can meet up later for a nice long bubble bath. Sound good?" I ask, rubbing my hands down her back.

"Mmhmm."

"Well get dressed you gotta be there in thirty."

"Yes sir."

******

I left Erin at the spa and walked down to the gym.

I immediately got sone warm ups in. A few guys were beside the ring and wanting someone to box.

I walk over and they were cool with me jumping in.

I got my gear on and started fighting.

It has been a while, but it was like riding a bike.

The next thing I knew, the guy was down and the fight was over.

"Damn dude! That's pretty awesome. You knocked his ass out!" A young guy came up to me slapping me on my shoulders.

I nodded and grabbed my stuff heading out to grab my girl.

I never imagined what the repercussions of that one little fight were at that moment.