Little Dove

I have never believed in fate.

Then she walks through the wrong door.

She isn't part of the job.
She isn't supposed to matter.

For one brief second, she is only a beautiful stranger standing somewhere she was never meant to be.

Then she looks at me.

And everything changes.

I learn the color of her eyes before I learn the sound of her laugh.
I feel her pulse before I ever hold her hand.
I taste her fear before she knows my name.

She looks at me and sees a monster.

Maybe she should.

I've done terrible things for reasons far less compelling than wanting something.

And I want her.

My sweet little Dove.

She still believes there are rules to this. That locked doors keep dangerous men outside. That distance means safety. That because I let her walk away, she's free.

She'll learn.

I don't need her to understand why I chose her.

I don't understand it either.

I only know that the moment she stepped into my world, something inside me recognized her.

And I have never been good at giving up what belongs to me.

Fly if you want, Little Dove.

I'll still be there when you land.