The Protector

Chapter 5

Alessa's POV

"We are here." Jan announced to the car and looked over at me.

Even with Jan's more than cautious driving it only took a few minutes to get to the end of the property. It was a shame the ride wasn't longer to tell you the truth, I was really enjoying the sight of him driving. His car was a charger and watching his muscles tense and relax as he grabbed the gears was like living artwork. Everything he did has an ease about it, like he has never in his life faced an obstacle that he was not able to overcome. He radiates power and at control. I have never in my life felt so pulled into a man the way his gravity pulls me. The eyes, his voice, the cool guy haircut with the part, the muscles and of course his lips. His lips have been playing across the back of mind since he kissed me. I could not help but stare.

"You with me?" He asked as I realized I had been mindlessly staring at him for far too long than socially acceptable.

"Yea," I clear my throat. "Zoned out for a min. I still have not been to sleep."

"Cora took advantage of the ride." He nods his head towards a sleeping Cora sprawled out across the back seat.

"Yea well it easy to sleep when you don't have to be the one alert all the time." I rubbed my forehead and stretched. I love her, it is just a lot always being ready all the time.

"Well if you weren't such a control freak maybe you could sleep too."

"Im not a control freak. I just am used to," I make a rolling motion with my hands, "always being ready for any situation. I like to be prepared."

"Control. You like to be in control. Nothing wrong with it. Sometimes you have to learn to let other people carry that burden." He face was serious, no glimmer of a smile on those lips that haunt my thoughts.

"Like who? You?" That came out a bit more sharp than I hand intended and it made him sit up straight. I definitely struck a chord.

"Yes, like me. It is my destiny to make sure you are safe, cared for. Why don't you trust me? Have I given you any reason to question my intentions with the two of you?" The amber in his eyes were once again dancing as his emotions rose.

"No, its," he cut me off from finishing my sentence.

"Apollo himself, who just happens to be your father sent me on this course because you are my destiny. Without me you will not make it. You have to trust me." His voice now softens as he finishes the sentence out. "He told me more about our future but that is not relevant now, especially if you don't start trusting me."

"Every single thing in my life up until this point has been a lie." I am not much of a crier but damn if I wasn't getting close to becoming one right now. "Now I'm running for my life trying to protect the only person that has been true to me my entire life from a whole world neither of us even knew existed. Then you come with a message from my FATHER who obviously knew of my existence saying now he wants to send help, and I'm am just supposed to accept it. Just like that." Tears start to stream down my exhausted face.

He moved in closer and palmed my face using his thumb to wipe a tear away. I tried to turn my face away but he his gentle touch was stronger than my half-hearted escape attempt. "No, you don't get to run away and you don't get to chase me away either."

"I am exhausted and overwhelmed. I don't know if I am strong enough for this."

"That is why I am here."

We just stare at each other for what feels like forever. This man with the dancing eyes and spellbinding lips that speak words of security that I have never known. What does he mean I am his destiny? Will all of this some how cost him his life? What sacrifices did he have to make to be here in this moment? This man that I have only known for a few hours but somehow my soul yearns for him. Why? I need to stay focused on Cora and getting her safe.