Little Dark One

10 - sanctuary

Keira

I spent the afternoon dragging Blaze around the property, searching for anything to cure my boredom. There were certain areas and rooms that were locked, off limits according to the large muscular babysitter assigned to me. 

I discovered a dreamy library, filled with every kind of book you could imagine, I inhaled the comforting scent. I found my sanctuary in this intimidating house. A gorgeous grand piano sat in the center of the carpeted room. I've always loved music, throughout my life it's been a sort of therapy for me, an escape. 

I sat on the bench and brushed my fingers over the keys gently. Blaze lowered himself into a corner armchair and watched quietly for hours as I poured all my sadness into the improvised songs. 

A single tear escaped my eye as my fingers flowed through one of the most melancholy songs I'd ever played. I brushed it away before Blaze could notice. I needed to put up a strong front with these guys, they were like demons who thrived on fear. I finally realized how important it was for me to keep my head up and push through everything I was feeling.

Knox was right, I had asked for this. It was me seeking him out, not the other way around. I broke his rules and begged to come here. Either I hide out in this luxurious Italian style mansion under his protection, or I attempt survival on my own, on the run from one of the most powerful agencies in the country. Eventually I would owe Knox, I knew that. A man like him doesn't do favors of this magnitude for free. 

"Time to go." Blaze broke the silence of my reverie. I was still seated at the piano. 

I shifted my gaze to where he was sitting under the massive window, half concealed by green ivy on the other side of the glass. The sun had set long ago, which means we'd been in this room for countless hours. I appreciated Blaze's silent company, half the time I forgot he was even there. 

"Where are we going?" I stood and met him at the door. 

"Your room is ready." he said, leading us down the hall. I just nodded in response. Not sure what to say to that. 

I was happy I wouldn't have to return to Knox's bedroom. It felt weird to be in his personal space like that. I wonder where he slept last night.. 

We reached the top of the long spiral staircase and Blaze typed a long passcode code into the keypad on the double doors leading to the top floor. 

"Why is this floor locked?" I asked, not really thinking through my dumb question. 

"This is Knox's floor. Besides him, the housekeeper and I are the only ones who have access." He replied honestly. I expected him to give me some vague answer like he usually does. 

"And my room is up here too?" 

He nodded in response. 

"But why?" I continued my interrogation. 

"You ask a lot of questions" he rolled his eyes but continued "Knox wanted you close by. This is the most secure part of the compound. You will be safe up here." 

"I don't get this guy." I muttered as Blaze led me through the door directly opposite from Knox's bedroom. 

Blaze sighed as he shut the door behind him. "I know he's been rough on you since you've arrived. It's difficult for him to be himself around anyone new, but he will loosen up eventually. Just go easy on him, he's way out of his element with you around." 

I stared back at Blaze with my mouth hanging open. I've never heard him speak this much. He chuckled at my reaction. 

"You're asking me to go easy on the psychotic gang leader." I couldn't miss the humor in his request. 

"When you put it like that it sounds crazy." He rolled his eyes and backed out of the room, winking at me as he left. 

I gazed around the room I was left alone in. I had to acknowledge it was beautiful, it had a cozy rustic feel, matching the vibe of the rest of the mansion much more than Knox's bedroom did.

A large canopy bed sat in the middle, facing an ornately carved white fireplace. The room was full of plush cream and earth tones, with wood accents. I walked over and opened the standing wardrobe, expecting it to be a single row of hangers as they usually were, but I was met with a massive walk in closet behind the doors. 

I walked in, running my eyes over the closet full of clothes, shoes and accessories. Anything I could need.

"It's like Narnia in here..." I whispered to myself.

I wondered if this was all new, or if the clothes belonged to someone else. I ran my fingers over the garments and realized the tags were still on every one. It was all new. I pulled drawers open to find gorgeous lingerie. I pulled another drawer below to find swimwear. The next had socks and pajamas. 

I sank to the floor of my own personal Narnia, in awe. This was a closet of every girl's dreams.

"Are you okay?" A deep voice startled me. 

Knox was leaning against the door of the closet, in all his god-like glory. I stared at him for a moment, admiring the captivating man that he was. He was covered head to toe in photoshopped muscles, I've never even seen a man this ripped. I couldn't even imagine what he would look like with his shirt off. He probably had perfectly chiseled abs...

"Keira?" He cleared his throat, snapping me out of my fucked up fantasizing. My gaze moved to his eyes, which have darkened quite a few shades since just moments ago.   

"Sorry, what?" I pushed to my feet quickly, embarrassed to be caught staring like a drooling idiot.  

"I asked if you're okay." He smirked slightly, taking a step towards me like a rope was pulling him forward. He seemed to be surprised he had even moved.

"I'm fine.." I stuttered, flustered by his proximity. He seemed to notice he had an effect on me because he took another step closer, intensifying my nerves. 

"Are you happy with your room?" He questioned, quieter now that he was so close. 

"Y-yes. It's all more than I need.. I'm fine going back to my first room." I lied, I never wanted to go back there. But I felt like the more he gave me, the more I would owe him in the end. 

"You're not going back down there." He growled. Folding his muscular arms over his chest. 

"Okay.." I didn't know what to say to him. He was so close now I could hear him breathing. I had secretly craved another interaction with him since this morning.

He stared down at me for a few moments, also unsure what to say. All that entwined was our shallow breathing. 

"I have to go." he stepped back, turning from me.

"Wait" I reached out and grabbed his arm, tugging him back to face me.