My Guardian

Chapter 25

"Red, take a breath." Snake sighs, watching as I pace again, having paused in shuffling through my bag of clothes. What the hell has my life come to?

"This again Snake? Must I remind you all we've uncovered?" I glower, pacing the decent sized room. A queen sized bed takes up most of the room, only at war against a dresser for space. I'm practically living in a boys club behind a bar. I want to laugh hysterically. Not that I really had any idea how this road trip would go- never could I imagine this is where it would lead me. Because who would expect to be hunted by some syndicate of bad business.

"Red, we're taking this one step at a time. We make a plan and follow the trail- you're safe here." I spin and can't help the incredulous stare I give him.

"You all even said you're not prepared for this sort of thing! Snake- this is- this is nuts, I don't even know where to start. The police know more on how to-" Snake shakes his head, frowning as he rubs his temple.

"Axel doesn't want to involve the police." He marks off the idea completely.

"Why? Snake I don't get why he's so pissy with police, but I'd like them to take the case- handle things correctly. You know how police handle bad guys?" I ask sarcastically. Snake's lips pinch in debate, before he releases a sigh.

"Angel had her own problem at one point. We brought in the police and let's just say that they had other motives." He concedes carefully, shrugging as he looks at the bed.

"What happened?" I ask with a frown, unsure how they could've made things go so wrong.

"It's not my story to tell Red." If we can't go to the police, then who do we go to? I turn to pace more.

"I should leave- I mean, it's best. I can just keep running." Snake grunts at my words.

"Don't even go there Red, running isn't going to do anyone good, least of all you."

"Says you! People run all the time. I don't have a phone- or anything. I can get a cheap car and just go and drive." I argue back. It'll be easy enough, I was driving through towns anyway... I can do it again.

"That's smart- I'm sure you have the plans marked out? You know how to make your money last? How to stretch it out? What jobs you'll get? Or maybe about when you'll stop to sleep and refill your money jar. Because you do know you won't be able to work online, use your name anywhere." He remarks blandly, eyes blazing with a fire. Why does this have to be so difficult? I stop by the bed, glaring at him.

"I'll figure it out as I go; you don't need to worry about it. If I leave it's not your problem anymore." Snakes' eyes narrow as he pushes off of the spot on the dresser.

"That's bullshit and you know it Sarah. You know I didn't take you for a rabbit." I scoff, shaking my head as I plant my hands on my hips.

"Well excuse me if I'm not well versed in dealing with death threats. Unlike some people I wasn't born to deal with this. I was raised with a spoon in my mouth being belittled by my mother- not exactly the same thing!" I roll my eyes, glaring at him. His brow quirks up as he walks closer.

"You're not running away." He stops a breath away from me, eyes boring into mine.

"Why do you care so much?! It's not your problem." My breath stops as an emotion boils in his eyes, his features harden. Raising his hand, he clasps my neck, slamming my body flush against his.

"You are my problem." His voice becomes gruff as he kisses me harshly. Lips pressed against my teeth sure to leave a permanent mark. A hard heat burns in my chest feeling the strength in his grip. His calloused fingers dig into my neck as he rests his forehead to mine.